Claim & Counterclaim

Multiple Choice

What is the purpose of an argument?

• TO EXPLAIN

• TO PERSUADE

• TO ENTERTAIN

• TO INFORM

Multiple Choice

The writer's position on an issue

• claim

• counterclaim

• rebuttal

• thesis

Multiple Choice

an ______________ is a claim that is supported with reasons and evidence.

• argument

• claim

• counterclaim

• relevant information

Multiple Choice

Any information that helps prove a claim.

• evidence

• argument

• counterclaim

• thesis

Multiple Choice

Facts, quotations, examples, anecdotes, and statistics can all be used as _______________.

• evidence

• claims

• arguments

• counterclaims

Multiple Choice

Statements that present opposing viewpoints.

• counterclaims

• rebuttal

• claims

• arguments

Multiple Choice

the argument against a claim (what the other side would say if they disagreed with a claim)

• rebuttal

• fallacy

• author's purpose

• argument

Multiple Choice

The author's purpose is to convince us that the ________________ is true.

• evidence

• claim

• counterclaim

• clues

Multiple Choice

Any information that helps prove a claim.

• evidence

• argument

• counterclaim

• thesis

Multiple Choice

A counterclaim is...

• A taller claim

• Wrong

• The opposite or different point of view to the claim

• A point of view that agrees with the claim

Multiple Choice

Statements that argue against opposing viewpoints.

• rebuttal

• opposing claim

• claims

• arguments

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is the counterclaim?

Parents should be fined when their children bully because it will send a message. Some say It is very difficult for parents to manage their children when they leave the house and go to school. Despite this, thirteen million kids are bullied each year and something needs to be done. The fines will encourage parents to focus on anti-bullying in the home.

• Despite this, thirteen million kids are bullied each year and something needs to be done.

• The fines will encourage parents to focus on anti-bullying in the home.

• Some say it is very difficult for parents to manage their children when they leave the house and go to school.

• Parents should be fined when their children bully because it will send a message.

Multiple Choice

What is the claim of this paragraph?

“Obesity is America’s most important health problem,” Jennifer Peltz stated. She also reports that four billion dollars is spent on weight related health problems per year. This means that health problems related to obesity are costing the government lots of money. Recently, Mayor Bloomberg of New York proposed a law banning over-sized sugary drinks to solve the obesity problem. He wants to ban thirty-two ounce sodas to put an end to the obesity problem. Some people think that it’s a good idea and may yield results. According to David Frum, people will owe Bloomberg their thanks for leading the way. Others feel that Bloomberg is stripping away personal freedom to eat and drink as you wish. The big question is rather or not government assistance is needed to solve the obesity problem. The answer to this question is no. Although obesity plagues our society, government control is not needed to fight this epidemic.

• Obesity is a problem and it needs to be fixed.

• Government control will help with the epidemic of obesity.

• Although obesity plagues our society, government control is not needed to fight this epidemic.

• Although obesity plagues our society, it isn't as bad as people make it seem.

Multiple Choice

What is the claim of this argument?

I, Senator McCumber, [an actual Senator from 1919 in the League of Nations debate], have just participated in a debate regarding whether or not America should sign the Treaty of Versailles, and in doing so, join the League of Nations. The League of Nations is a unified group of nations dedicated to the preservation of peace. The League is designed to deal with international issues, adjudicating differences between countries instead of them going directly to combat.

Now, in the interests of the great state of North Dakota, I voted in favor of the treaty with no reservations. We need a fair treaty to prevent future wars as horrible as the Great War was. After the war, the central powers composed the Treaty of Versailles to create the League of Nations in an attempt to ward off future conflicts. We cannot have another war as horrible as this one. I believe, because of that, that we need a fair treaty, equal to all its members, that will restrict the use of new weapons, and prevent future wars from breaking out.

• The Treaty of Versailles is worthless.

• Becoming a part of the League of Nations is the only way for us to stay alive as Americans.

• The Great War was a necessary war, but it should not happen again.

• The treaty is needed in order to prevent another Great War.

Multiple Choice

What is the counterclaim to this paragraph?

Picture this: a teenage boy is about to bite into a delicious taco at the local fast food restaurant. Suddenly a disgusting cloud of smoke drifts in front of his face, obscuring his vision and causing him to cough violently. Eyes watering, he fans the smoke from his face only to discover that the horrible smell has now robbed him of his appetite. He drops his taco and grabs his backpack to leave. His meal is ruined. For many years, nonsmokers have had to breathe in contaminated air from smokers. Smoking should be prohibited by law in all restaurants so nonsmokers are free to breathe clean air when dining.

• Smoking while eating is okay, if you're alone.

• Smoking in some restaurants is allowed.

• Smoking in restaurants ruins the experience for others.

• It's a free country, smoking should not be banned from restaurants.

Multiple Choice

What is the claim of this paragraph?

Overuse of watching television can adversely affect people’s mental development. According to several scientific studies, watching TV for prolonged periods of time has a negative effect on the intellectual development of children and leads to the deterioration of the mental capacity in older people which causes both attention and memory problems in the long term. In addition, other studies, like a study conducted in the United Kingdom, reports suggestions that “TV is associated with greater incidence of Attention Deficit Disorder and that children who have watched violent or frightening shows may develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder symptoms.” These studies support the fact that television does have a negative impact on the mind development of children and even among the elderly.

• Television is bad.

• Television negatively affects the mental development of people.

• Even though television affects people negatively, it also has positive affects on viewers.

• Parents should not allow their children to watch television.