4.2 Identifying Assumptions
Academic writers can become more assumption-aware by practicing diagnostic questions:
Ask “What must be true for this claim to hold?” This reveals hidden premises and helps test their validity.
Question an Assumption at a deeper level: What values, ideologies, or worldviews does this statement reflect?
Trace the Chain of Reasoning: Look for gaps between the evidence and the conclusion. What bridges those gaps?
Reverse the Argument: Consider the opposite claim of the assumption. What would need to be assumed for that to be true?
Interrogate the Language: Words like “clearly,” “obviously,” or “everyone knows” often signal underlying assumptions or biases.
