STAAR Argumentative Vocabulary

Front

Claim

Back

Your statement that is open to challenge and that requires support / where you stand on the argument

Front

Thesis

Back

Your one (1) sentence response to a prompt that gives your claim and two (2) reasons why

>Claim..because..R1...and R2.

Front

Reason(s)

Back

The explanation for why a claim is valid.

Front

Evidence

Back

The information or details that support a claim or reason.

Front

Counterargument

Back

An argument or set of reasons put forward to oppose your idea.

>THINK: What would someone who disagrees with you say?

Front

Rebuttal

Back

A contradiction to the counterargument.

>THINK: How is the counterargument wrong?

Front

Bias

Back

A tendency to lean in a certain direction.

Includes words like: should, is, because, must, without a doubt, can, cannot

Front

Call to Action

Back

What do you want the reader to do or think about the argument right now?

Tell them!