To evaluate the effectiveness of an argument as a whole, you analyze every aspect of that argument. You should identify the main claim and each reason that supports that claim. Do the reasons make sense? Is each reason supported by sufficient evidence? Is that evidence credible and relevant?

Not all arguments will meet these requirements. Some might have weak reasons that don’t fully support the claim or they might lack reliable evidence. To distinguish an argument that provides effective support from one that does not, you must evaluate and compare both arguments and determine which is stronger.