Building an Argument

Building an Argument

By Gladys Gonzalez

​One of the most important types of writing - and therefore reading - involves argument.

​

Argument means a structured presentation with a conclusion supported by evidence. ​

​The conclusion the speaker hopes to prove is given in the very first sentence: Ambrosia Diner is the right choice.

​

Then the speaker offers three reasons for the conclusion. Two of the reasons are developed in detail.

1. ​Everyone will be happy.

2. We'll get served in a reasonable time.

3. Ambrosia Diner is reasonably priced. ​

​Conclusion to be proved: We should eat at Ambrosia Diner.

If we look closely at the passage, we'll be able to see a logical structure at work.

​As you can probably imagine, arguments addressing very important issues such as zoning for a city park, whether to send military troops abroad, what to do about education, etc., can have many layers of argumentation. But even though an argument might have several layers, it will still have a main conclusion supported by reasons or evidence.

Multiple Choice

1. Which of the following BEST states the main claim of the argument?

• A. Forests and grasslands are increasingly at risk from fire.

• B. Fire seasons are growing longer and fires are increasing in number.

• C. Forest conditions contribute to greater fire activity.

• D. Past fire suppression efforts have made more fuel available for fires.

Multiple Choice

2. In the last sentence, why does the author mention the mountain pine beetle?

• A. To prove that changing climate conditions increase the risk of forest and grass

  fires.

• B. To provide an example of the kind of damage that can be done by uncontrolled

  fire.

• C. To demonstrate that previous fire suppression efforts have increased the

  supply of fuel for fires.

• D. To show that insect activity is sufficiently widespread to create a serious fire

  danger.