What constitutes a good argument?

2 types

Its good if it persuades the intended audience, this does not necessarily have to be a technically sound argument and may even contain fallacies.

The other type may be technically sound, contain strong premises which support a conclusion, and be free of any fallacies but may not persuade the audience, someone trying to explain why scientology is silly to a group of scientologists for example.

In the most simple terms, a good argument can be identified by the lack of bad reasoning. Further, the word "good" in an argument (at least when we are talking about informal arguments) is subjective to point, in that its level of "goodness" can be determined by its efficacy. Although one could argue that good and effective are two different measures. So for example, an argument free from fallacious reasoning that does not convince anyone, may be good argument to you, but a poor one to those who it is meant to convince.

For a good argument: a solid thesis supported by , testimony, evidence, reasons facts, examples, and statistics. The practical, short form: make your point and support it with reasons and examples, and restate your point at the conclusion. Of course, staying away from the fallacies will enhance one's ethos.