Arguments and Argumentation   

The following are terms we use to describe arguments.  The first three terms—argument, premises, and conclusion—are crucial to our understanding of the formal concept of an argument.  
 
Argument:  a sequence of two or more statements of which one is designated as the conclusion and all the others of which are premises.
Premises:  the statements which are affirmed as providing grounds for accepting the conclusion.
Conclusion:  that statement which is affirmed on the basis of the other propositions (the premises) of the argument.
Statement/proposition: a declarative sentence that must either be true or false.
Simple statement: a statement which does not contain another statement as a component part.
Compound statement: a statement which does contain another statement as a component part.
Truth value: the truth value of a true statement is true and that of a false statement is false.  
 
Ex. We will use the simple argument given in the first section as an example:
1. All people should be treated justly. (This is the first premise of the argument; premises are denoted     with a (P))
2. Ugly people are people. (This is the second premise) (P)
3. Therefore, ugly people should be treated justly. (This is the
    conclusion; it follows from premises 1 and 2)

II. Basic Forms of Statements