Parts of an Argument

Parts of an Argument

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Parts of the Argument

• Claim = the position or side that you take in an argument

• Reason(s) = explains WHY you choose this side

• Counter-argument = the OPPOSITE side of your claim

• Rebuttal = your response to the counter-argument, to explain WHY the counter-argument is wrong

These key words will help you identify counter-arguments and rebuttals

Argument: "Should the menu in the cafeteria change?"

The menu in the cafeteria should change, because most students do not like the food options. As a result, they are throwing the food that they buy away. Some believe that food waste actually occurs because there isn’t enough time to eat. While this may be true for some of the waste, it's probably not true for all of it. 

We use the logic scale to EVALUATE the argument's logic.

Logic = "Does it make sense?"

Multiple Select

What is the claim in the argument?

• Because most students do not like the food option

• Some believe that food waste actually occurs because there isn’t enough time to eat.

• The menu in the cafeteria should change.

• While this may be true for some of the waste, it is probably not true for all of it.

Multiple Select

What is the reason in the argument?

• Because most students do not like the food option

• Some believe that food waste actually occurs because there isn’t enough time to eat.

• The menu in the cafeteria should change.

• While this may be true for some of the waste, it is probably not true for all of it.

Multiple Select

What is the counter-argument?

• While this may be true for some of the waste, it is probably not true for all of it.

• The menu in the cafeteria should change.

• Some believe that food waste actually occurs because there isn’t enough time to eat.

• Because most students do not like the food option

Multiple Select

What is the rebuttal?

• Because most students do not like the food options

• Some believe that food waste actually occurs because there isn’t enough time to eat.

• The menu in the cafeteria should change.

• While this may be true for some of the waste, it is probably not true for all of it.

Argument: "Should students wear uniforms at school?"

It may be argued that uniforms give students structure and increase the ability to focus. However, it is not clothing that distracts students. Students are distracted more from talking. Students, therefore, should not wear uniforms. It will change how they behave in school. Additionally, it will help them to focus.

Multiple Choice

What is the CLAIM?

It may be argued that uniforms give students structure and increase the ability to focus. However, it is not clothing that distracts students. Students are distracted more from talking. Students, therefore, should not wear uniforms. It will change how they behave in school. Additionally, it will help them to focus.

• However, it is not clothing that distracts students. Students are distracted more from talking.

• Students, therefore, should not wear uniforms.

• It may be argued that uniforms give students structure and increase the ability to focus.

• It will change how they behave in school. Additionally, it will help them to focus.

Multiple Choice

What is the reason(s)?

It may be argued that uniforms give students structure and increase the ability to focus. However, it is not clothing that distracts students. Students are distracted more from talking. Students, therefore, should not wear uniforms. It will change how they behave in school. Additionally, it will help them to focus.

• It will change how they behave in school. Additionally, it will help them to focus.

• It may be argued that uniforms give students structure and increase the ability to focus.

• However, it is not clothing that distracts students. Students are distracted more from talking.

• Students, therefore, should not wear uniforms.

Multiple Choice

What is the counter-argument?

It may be argued that uniforms give students structure and increase the ability to focus. However, it is not clothing that distracts students. Students are distracted more from talking. Students, therefore, should not wear uniforms. It will change how they behave in school. Additionally, it will help them to focus.

• Students, therefore, should not wear uniforms.

• It will change how they behave in school. Additionally, it will help them to focus.

• It may be argued that uniforms give students structure and increase the ability to focus

• However, it is not clothing that distracts students. Students are distracted more from talking.

Multiple Choice

What is the rebuttal?

It may be argued that uniforms give students structure and increase the ability to focus. However, it is not clothing that distracts students. Students are distracted more from talking. Students, therefore, should not wear uniforms. It will change how they behave in school. Additionally, it will help them to focus.

• It may be argued that uniforms give students structure and increase the ability to focus.

• It will change how they behave in school. Additionally, it will help them to focus.

• However, it is not clothing that distracts students. Students are distracted more from talking.

• Students, therefore, should not wear uniforms.

Open Ended

Now, make your own argument, based on the prompt. Be sure to include ALL 4 PARTS OF AN ARGUMENT !

1. Claim

2. Reasons

3. Counter-argument

4. Rebuttal