Final answer:
The first step in evaluating the credibility of an argument is to identify the main claim that the author makes. Understanding the claim provides a foundation for assessing the premises and evidence brought forward and to subsequently evaluate the entire argument logically.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first step you should take when evaluating the credibility of an argument is to b. Identify the main claim that the author makes. Before assessing the support for an argument or identifying any fallacies, it is imperative to understand what the argument is trying to declare or persuade. You can frequently deduce the main claim by looking for terms like "therefore" or "hence". After grasping the main claim, you can then proceed to examine the premises or evidence provided in support of that conclusion. Such premises may be introduced with phrases like "because of" or "since".
It's also crucial to review the methodology and evidence provided by the author to support their claims. This involves analyzing the logical structure, looking for empirical evidence, and assessing the argument's dialectic—whether it's presenting a personal view, arguing against a rival view, or providing critique or support for another viewpoint.
Once the main claim and supporting premises have been identified, you can use further critical thinking and formal logic techniques to evaluate the argument thoroughly.