What does the scanning method involve in analyzing arguments?

The scanning method in analyzing arguments primarily involves identifying and marking statements within an argument. This process entails a careful examination of the components of the argument, such as premises and conclusions, to understand their roles and how they relate to each other. By identifying these core statements, a clearer view of the argument's structure and effectiveness can be gained. This foundational step is crucial for further analysis and evaluation, as it allows one to isolate and focus on the individual parts that compose the argument itself.

The other options, while related to aspects of argument analysis, do not accurately define the scanning method. Making statements complete references and mapping the argument structure involve more comprehensive techniques, while drawing conclusions from premises represents a later stage in argument evaluation that relies on understanding the identified components first. Thus, choosing the identification and marking of statements is the most accurate depiction of the scanning method.