Question

Determine whether the following statements are arguments or explanations.

1. The environment in the company dinner was too politically correct. So he walked out with my friend to have a couple cigarettes outside.
2. I was rejected by the employer with a curt phone call. I now think this guy is a heartless racist.

Answer 1

Answers:

Statement 1 - The statement is an Explanation.

Explanation: The statement is not trying to convince the reader about anything. An argument is when it convinces the reader of something. It is just stating a cause to specify a situation and not an evidence i.e., "company dinner was too politically correct", which cannot be argued upon, for the reason behind the action, "he walked out with my friend to have a couple cigarettes outside", is clarified.

Statement 2 - This statement is an Argument.

Explanation: The statement puts up an evidence, "I was rejected by the employer with a curt phone call", to convince the reader of their opinion. There is a conclusion to the evidence that "I now think this guy is a heartless racist". The evidence and conclusion relation can be argued upon. Hence, it is an Argument.