Argumentative Essay Terms

Front

the specific pieces of information that support a claim; can be facts, quotations, examples, statistics, personal experiences, etc.

Back

evidence

Front

What you are trying to prove; a writer's position on a problem or an issue.

Back

claim

Front

a type of writing that tries to convince the reader of something; it presents a claim and supports the claim using an argument based on evidence

Back

argumentative writing

Front

The people who are reading your essay; the people you are trying to convince.

Back

audience

Front

An author's reason for writing

Back

purpose

Front

A sentence that states the purpose and main point of a paper or essay.

Back

thesis statement

Front

What a text is mostly about; the main idea

Back

central idea

Front

The opposite view or position of yours

Back

counterclaim/counterargument

Front

a statement that supports your claim; why you believe something is true

Back

reason

Front

The quality of being believable or trustworthy; your sources of evidence need to be credible.

Back

credibility