Reading Arguments

Reading Arguments

2.2 Assignments Due: 2.2.3 Quiz and 2.2.5 Practice

A claim doesn't try to be balanced or neutral. It takes a clear side on an issue and argues in favor of it.

​​A claim takes a clear stand.

​

​A debatable claim is one for which an argument can be made on both sides. There must be rational people who would disagree with a claim.

​​A claim must be debatable.

​

A claim must be provable, which means there should be real evidence out there to support it. A claim shouldn't just come down to personal opinion.

A claim must be provable.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence in this passage contains the claim?

(1) The idea of time travel has excited imaginations for over 100 years. (2) There have been countless movies, television shows, and novels dealing with the theme. (3) One popular time-travel story was written by H. G. Wells in 1895. (4) This short but important book, The Time Machine, should be considered the most influential time-travel story ever written.

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

Multiple Choice

I don't have a strong opinion on whether the city should switch to solar power.

• Claim

• Not a claim

Multiple Choice

Football is one of the most popular professional sports in the United States.

• Claim

• Not a claim

Multiple Choice

Increased security in schools is the best way to improve student learning.

• Claim

• Not a claim

Multiple Choice

The beach is a much better vacation destination than the mountains.

• Claim

• Not a claim

Multiple Choice

Which of these supports this claim.

Cooking should be taught in schools.

• Because they are more independent

• Because locals need more space to have fun and relax

• Because it causes less impact on your hips, knees, and ankles

• Because it's a skill that everyone needs in life

Multiple Choice

Which of these supports this claim.

Biking is better for your body than running.

• Because they are more independent

• Because locals need more space to have fun and relax

• Because it causes less impact on your hips, knees, and ankles

• Because it's a skill that everyone needs in life

Multiple Choice

Which of these supports this claim.

The city should have more parks.

• Because they are more independent

• Because locals need more space to have fun and relax

• Because it causes less impact on your hips, knees, and ankles

• Because it's a skill that everyone needs in life

Multiple Select

Which three reasons support this claim?

Schools should switch from paper textbooks to computer tablets.

• Tablets can be easily updated with the newest information.

• The first textbooks appeared in the 19th century.

• Textbooks require a lot of paper, while tablets do not.

• Tablets help students learn the technology they'll need in future jobs.

• Textbooks are less expensive than tablets in the short term.

Multiple Choice

Which type of reason is this an example of?

The mayor should pass laws to fight pollution because pollution is bad for people's health.

• Trend (abductive)

• Example (inductive)

• Premise (deductive)

Multiple Choice

Which type of reason is this an example of?

The mayor should pass laws to fight pollution because the city's air quality has declined in four out of the past five years.

• Trend (abductive)

• Example (inductive)

• Premise (deductive)

Multiple Choice

4. A writer is making an argument that his or her city should build a new playground. Match each supporting reason to the audience it is most likely trying to appeal to.

The playground will be full of thrilling, fast, and state-of-the-art slides and swings.

• Business owners

• Children

• Parents

Multiple Choice

4. A writer is making an argument that his or her city should build a new playground. Match each supporting reason to the audience it is most likely trying to appeal to.

The playground will have many safety features, including foam padding under all structures.

• Business owners

• Children

• Parents

Multiple Choice

Which type of evidence is used in this example?

When the Adams County Fair started in 1935, it was a defining moment for a young Elias Torres.

• Example

• Statistics

• Quote

Multiple Choice

Which type of evidence is used in this example?

A survey of more than 135,000 county residents found that 85 percent listed the Adams County Fair as an annual highlight.

• Example

• Statistics

• Quote

Multiple Choice

Which type of evidence is used in this example?

"The Adams County Fair is the primary employer in our region," said Mayor Liz Beal. "Hundreds count on that extra pay."

• Example

• Statistics

• Quote

Multiple Choice

Select the type of fallacy that this example uses:

Since athletes are rude, we should be careful not to attract them to our restaurant.

• Bias

• Hyperbole

• eneralization

• Stereotype

Multiple Choice

Select the type of fallacy that this example uses:

Toronto is noisy and cold, so it would be a mistake to set the movie there.

• Bias

• Hyperbole

• eneralization

• Stereotype

Multiple Choice

Select the type of fallacy that this example uses:

We heroes of the Greenville Wildcats will win against the pathetic Milltown Badgers.

• Bias

• Hyperbole

• eneralization

• Stereotype

Multiple Choice

Select the type of fallacy that this example uses:

The decision to rename the hospital will forever change the way the world sees our town.

• Bias

• Hyperbole

• eneralization

• Stereotype