Which step involves identifying premises in an argument?

• A. Identify premises
• B. Read word assumptions sympathetically
• C. Identify conclusion
• D. Paraphrase premise & connect to conclusion

Answer: (A)

Understanding how an argument is built starts with spotting the statements that count as reasons for the claim. Premises are those statements that provide evidence or support for the conclusion, so identifying them is the fundamental move in mapping the argument’s structure. This step is the best fit because it directly isolates the parts of the argument that justify why the conclusion should be accepted, allowing you to evaluate whether the evidence actually supports the claim.

Reading word assumptions sympathetically focuses on the underlying assumptions the writer takes for granted, which is useful for deeper critique but not the same as pulling out the explicit premises. Identifying the conclusion is important too, but it answers a different question—what claim the author wants you to accept—whereas the asked step zeroes in on the supporting statements themselves. Paraphrasing premises and connecting them to the conclusion comes after you’ve identified the premises, tying them together to show the relationship, which is a further step beyond simply recognizing premises.