Which of the following best describes a syllogism?

A syllogism is a formal argument structure that consists of a major premise, a minor premise, and a conclusion derived logically from those premises. The definition encompasses the essence of deductive reasoning, where if the premises are true, the conclusion must also be true. This logical framework is often represented in the classic form of "All men are mortal; Socrates is a man; therefore, Socrates is mortal."

In this structure, the premises provide the foundational statements that lead to a conclusion, illustrating how reasoning works to establish a truth based on previously accepted statements. This reasoning mechanism is fundamental in both formal logic and philosophical arguments, making it a crucial part of effective advocacy and debate.