Learning to distinguish arguments from nonar- gumentative material takes practice.
The job gets easier, however, if you pay attention to indica- tor words. Indicator words are terms that often appear in arguments and signal that a premise or conclusion may be nearby. Notice that in the argu- ment about abortion, the word therefore indicates that the conclusion follows, and in Argument 1 the word because signals the beginning of a premise. In addition to therefore, common conclusion indica- tors include consequently, hence, it follows that, thus, so, it must be that, and as a result. Besides because, some common premise indicators are since, for, given that, due to the fact that, for the reason that, the reason being, assuming that, and as indicated by.
Understand that indicator words are not fool- proof evidence that a premise or conclusion is near. Sometimes words that often function as indi- cators appear when no argument at all is present. Indicator words are simply hints that an argument may be close by.
Probably the most reliable way to identify arguments is to always look for the conclusion first. When you know what claim is being supported, you can more easily see what statements are doing the supporting. A true argument always has some- thing to prove. If there is no statement that the writer is trying to convince you to accept, no argu- ment is present.
Finally, understand that argumentation (the presentation of an argument) is not the same thing as persuasion. To offer a good argument is to present reasons why a particular assertion is true. To persuade someone of something is to influence her opinion by any number of means, including emotional appeals, linguistic or rhetorical tricks, deception, threats, propaganda, and more. Rea- soned argument does not necessarily play any part at all. You may be able to use some of these ploys to persuade people to believe a claim. But if you do, you will not have established that the claim is worth believing. On the other hand, if you articulate a good argument, then you prove something—and others just might be persuaded by your reasoning.