How to Analyze an Argument

Claim 

The article “in defense of multitasking” by David Silverman talks about the importance of multitasking in today’s world. Silverman claims that multitasking is crucial to the survival of anyone in today’s workplace and not just an addiction for short-attention-spanned individuals among us (Silverman, 2010). His assertion is a claim of definition as it takes a position on how multitasking should be interpreted. 

Evidence 

Silverman uses evidence to substantiate his claims. He uses relevant evidence in his article by showing how multitasking facilitates the way people work. He states that it is important as it helps fasten the communication of critical information, keeps others from being held up, gives employees something to turn to when they are stuck, and helps individuals with more obligations to stay on track (Silverman, 2010). Thus, the evidence provided is sufficient to the claim as it has a definite relationship to the claim. It describes to the audience how multitasking facilitates the survival of the modern-day employee who has to juggle many obligations at once. 

Logic 

Silverman’s argument is logical as his premise provides support for the conclusion. He asserts the importance of multitasking in the workplace, provides relevant evidence to support his claims then concludes by stating that we need multitasking as much as we need air. His argument, however, comprises a fallacy. Towards the end of the article, Silverman shifts the burden of proof by challenging the audience to disprove his argument through the questions and statements he makes on the importance of multitasking. 

Logical Appeals 

Silverman appeals to ethos in his writings when making his argument. He uses examples that the audience can relate to so that they can have an emotional response to it, such as when he gives an example of how people deal with challenging tasks by taking some time off and going back to it later (Silverman, 2010). This type of appeal is appropriate to his argument’s purpose and intended audience as it helps him communicate his message. 

Additional Information 

Silverman should have provided some factual data that supports the benefits of multitasking in the workplace. This would have helped strengthen his argument since such data is obtained from the research: thus, it is credible and can be used to make claims and arguments sound. 

References 

Silverman, D. (2010). In defense of multitasking. Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2010/06/in-defense-of-multitasking.html