Claim, reason, evidence

Every argument has three parts, even when they are tangled together. The claim is what someone wants you to accept. The reason is why they think it is true. The evidence is what supports the reason.

"We should walk to school because it's only ten minutes, and last week the car took twelve in traffic." Claim: we should walk. Reason: it is about as quick. Evidence: last week's timing.

Pulling the parts apart lets you disagree precisely. You might accept the claim but doubt the evidence — one slow day is thin — or accept the evidence but think it does not support the claim.