Page 6 Inductive and Deductive Reasoning
Completion requirements
Inductive and Deductive Reasoning
As
you write your own persuasive essay, you may consider the two main
methods of developing a persuasive essay: inductive and deductive.
Inductive Reasoning
As
you write your own persuasive essay, you may consider the two main
methods of developing a persuasive essay: inductive and deductive.
Inductive reasoning is adding each piece of evidence to the next like 1+1+1+1 to equal a conclusion, or 4.
Think of inductive reasoning as the CSI (crime scene investigation) method. Imagine looking for evidence at a crime scene that will lead you to a conclusion of what happened. Begin with the evidence; then, arrive at a conclusion.
Inductive reasoning works similarly to that crime investigation. First, a person presents the "evidence" in discussion and then suggests a conclusion based on that evidence. Therefore, evidence leads to conclusion. Inductive reasoning is used most often in research or science-related technical writing.
Think of inductive reasoning as the CSI (crime scene investigation) method. Imagine looking for evidence at a crime scene that will lead you to a conclusion of what happened. Begin with the evidence; then, arrive at a conclusion.
Inductive reasoning works similarly to that crime investigation. First, a person presents the "evidence" in discussion and then suggests a conclusion based on that evidence. Therefore, evidence leads to conclusion. Inductive reasoning is used most often in research or science-related technical writing.
Example: You observed that 6 eggs dropped into fresh water floated under the surface but 6 eggs dropped into a mixture of salt and water floated on the surface. You can conclude, then, that salt water is more buoyant than fresh water is. Based on that logic, salt water oceans are more buoyant than fresh water lakes (for a lack of salt).
|
|
Read the inductive persuasive essay "Lunch is On Me" by Nathan Swinn on page 51 of the Language Arts 9 Anthology. The writer provides clues in his "rant" that lead to a solid conclusion about the perils of our food. |
Deductive Reasoning
Sometimes, characters in CSI or Sherlock Holmes mysteries know who the criminal is but they must find evidence to tie the criminal to the crime using deductive reasoning. Deductive writing is used more commonly in persuasive essays than
inductive writing is.
Think of this as a trial method of writing. Consider how a lawyer approaches a trial. The goal is to prove that the prosecuted party is either innocent or guilty (or at least produce enough doubt so that a conviction can be avoided!). Working on the premise that the lawyer's job is to prove an idea, a writer presents evidence to support a position, whether he or she is working for the defense or working in a prosecutor's role.
Deductive reasoning begins with the conclusion and then present the "evidence". Thus, conclusion leads to evidence. This is referred to as the top-down method.
Deductive reasoning starts with a total and deducts or (subtracts) until one conclusion is left like 4 -1 -1 -1 = 1.
Example: This is the writer's generalization or conclusion:
The writer will support it with examples:
Think of this as a trial method of writing. Consider how a lawyer approaches a trial. The goal is to prove that the prosecuted party is either innocent or guilty (or at least produce enough doubt so that a conviction can be avoided!). Working on the premise that the lawyer's job is to prove an idea, a writer presents evidence to support a position, whether he or she is working for the defense or working in a prosecutor's role.
Deductive reasoning begins with the conclusion and then present the "evidence". Thus, conclusion leads to evidence. This is referred to as the top-down method.
Deductive reasoning starts with a total and deducts or (subtracts) until one conclusion is left like 4 -1 -1 -1 = 1.
Example: This is the writer's generalization or conclusion:
TV has a negative influence on children. One effect of TV on children is violent behaviour.
The writer will support it with examples:
An example of this occurred in a small northern community on the first community movie night in the town's gymnasium. The movie shown was "Karate Kid". As soon as the movie was over, the children in the town, having never even watched a movie before, started mimicking the behavior (the Kung Fu) they saw in the film, acting out these kicks and other karate moves on one another.