What is an inductive argument?

An inductive argument is an argument with which the arguer wants to increase the likelihood of its conclusion. The strength of the conclusion is dependent on the strength of each theory that supports it.

There is no industry standard to determine a successful inductive argument; instead, the success or strength varies widely across a spectrum. An example of an inductive argument is: "She has shiny hair. She smiles brightly. She walks gracefully. Therefore, she is beautiful." Each premise is independent of the others to support the conclusion, and they do not flow logically. A weaker example of an inductive argument is "A witness claimed Joe committed the crime. So, Joe committed the crime."