Distinguish between argument and argument form.

Answer 1

An argument is a set of claims/propositions, one of which is supported by the others. An argument form is the way in which the claims in an argument are organized or structured, including the type(s) of claims used (eg, using conditional statements). Some common argument forms include:

modus ponens

1. If A, then B
2. A
3. Therefore, B

modus tollens

1. If A, then B
2. Not B
3. Therefore, not A

Hypothetical Syllogism

1. If A, then B
2. If B, then C
3. Therefore, if A, then C

These are all arguments, but they have different forms since their structures (the way the claims themselves are structure such that it affects the way they relate to each other) differ.