Argumentative Terms

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argumentative

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Written to demonstrate to an audience that a certain position or idea is valid and that others are not.

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claim

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Position that the author holds about the topic or issue being discussed; the main idea, or arguable statement, that represents the author’s position on a topic.

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Consideration of alternatives

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Authors can strengthen their own arguments by recognizing and addressing counterpoints to demonstrate why those points are not as valid or convincing as the one the author is trying to make.

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credibility

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The quality of having reliable and trustworthy characteristics and being accepted as true or real.

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bias

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A tendency to favor one side or idea over the other; an author or speaker who favors one over another.

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Reliable (source)

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One that presents a well-thought-out argument, information, or discussion based on accurate evidence; a source that is accurate, based on fact, current, logically sound.

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counter-argument

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Viewpoint or set of reasons in opposition to an argument or thesis; contrary point of view.

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Intended audience

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Identify the group meant to receive an author’s message, which could be a single person, a group of people, or the general public.

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fact

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A statement that is true; can be proven true.

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refute

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To prove a statement, theory, or idea to be wrong or false (disprove).