Logic is King

When I am reading, I pay most attention to the logic used in the argument. I like to break down what the author has said and make sure it all fits together. As I find mistakes and poorly made points I start to lose respect for the author and his or her position. A well made argument must flow from idea to idea and carry the reader along the whole way.

The reason I base my analysis so heavily on logic is because of what functional logic implies. An argument that is logically sound is one that has been researched significantly. It becomes obvious that the author has diligently thought through his own ideas before writing them down. This proves that they are not only invested in the subject but that they are invested in the reader as well. A well-organized set of claims, reasons, and assumptions can carry the reader up the "ladder" of the argument. If the logic is sound and cleverly placed, the reader has barely noticed that they have changed their mind.

Closely tied to the logic of an argument, in my opinion, is the reliability and credibility of the author. I expect an author to have the education and professionalism to write creative arguments that do not jump to false conclusions. Crude assumptions and silly reasons will completely remove my desire to read on. I took a philosophy course in high school and was absolutely blown away by some of the writings I read. Some were deeply profound and thought provoking; a few of the others, to my surprise, contained false interpretations of  data, ridiculous logical progressions, and absurd assumptions. Doctor of Philosophy or not, no such writing received my attention.

Last but not least, the author must have a strong understanding of the audience. He must know what emotional and logical stimuli will grab the readers attention. A lack of understanding will distance the author from his audience and remove any chance of swaying their opinions. The reader desires to feel as though he or she is being conversed with, not yelled towards. Treat the reader well!