Once you can find premises and conclusions, you can write an argument out cleanly. Logicians call this standard form.
Key idea
Standard form: list the premises, numbered, one claim per line, then the conclusion last, marked with "So". Leave out filler, repeats and side remarks, and keep each claim's meaning exactly.
Why it works
Real arguments come mixed with greetings, stories and asides. Laying out only the reasons and the claim they support makes the argument easier to judge, and makes it obvious when a reason is missing or weak.
Worked example: Write it in standard form
"Every member of the art club must pay dues. Leo joined the art club in September, which was a rainy month. So Leo must pay dues."
- Conclusion: Leo must pay dues.
- Reasons: every member must pay dues; Leo is a member.
- The rainy month gives no reason, so leave it out.
- Write: P1. Every member of the art club must pay dues. P2. Leo is a member of the art club. So: Leo must pay dues.
Answer: P1, P2, then "So: Leo must pay dues."
Worked example: Keep the meaning
A premise says "Most of the apples are ripe." Is "All of the apples are ripe" a fair rewording?
- "Most" leaves room for some unripe apples; "all" does not.
- Changing "most" to "all" makes the premise stronger than the speaker said.
Answer: No. Reword for clarity, never for strength.
Common mistake
Copying every sentence, including background and asides, or changing a premise's meaning while rewording it. Check each line of your standard form: is it a reason for the conclusion, and would the speaker agree it says what they said?