The basic definition of argument is:

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

The prompt presents the basic definition of argument as part of a multiple-choice item. 
Option 1: 'to show compare and contrast.' While arguments may involve comparisons, this choice narrows the function of an argument to comparison, which is not the core or universal definition. It overlooks the broader aim of presenting reasons to support a claim. 
Option 2: 'to state facts.' An argument often relies on reasons and evidence, not merely listing facts; facts without reasoning do not constitute an argument. This option ignores the justificatory component that makes an argument persuasive. 
Option 3: 'to show cause and effect.' Cause-and-effect reasoning can appear within arguments, but this is too specific a mechanism to define what an argument is; arguments can use various logical structures beyond solely causal relations. 
Option 4: 'to clarify or prove.' This aligns with the fundamental purpose of an argument: to clarify a position and prove or justify it through reasoning and evidence. It captures the normative function of argumentative discourse more accurately than the other options. 
Option 5: 'to show qualification.' While argumentation may discuss limitations or qualifications of a claim, this is not the defining purpose of an argument; qualifications are a possible feature within an argument, not its essential definition. 
In sum, option 4 best matches the accepted basic definition of an argument as a structure intended to clarify a claim and provide justification or proof for it, whereas the other options describe narrower or ancillary aspects that do not capture the core concept.

RGASC Winter 2025 Professional English Language Skills (PELS) Module 7 Quiz

The basic definition of argument is:

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