Argument Lesson

The Goal of Argument Writing?

Since you can’t change people’s opinions, the goal of argument writing
is simply to:
Get the reader to recognize your side of the argument is valid.

Multiple Choice

What is the goal of argument writing?

• To convince the audience to accept that your viewpoint is valid.

• To provide a neutral overview of different perspectives.
• To entertain the audience with stories.
• To summarize a topic for clarity.

Argument Format

Argument writing states a Claim
•Uses Facts, Reasons, and Examples to
CONVINCE readers.
•Includes a rebuttal to the counter-argument
•Ends with a strong conclusion statement telling
the reader what to do about the issue at hand.

Facts vs. Opinions

•Facts are statements that can
be proved

•Opinions are judgments that
vary from person to person.

Multiple Select

Which of these are statements of Fact?

• Burj Khalifa in Dubai is the world’s tallest building.

• Cats are better pets than dogs.

• Milk contains both calcium and protein.

• Nothing tastes better than Gatorade.

829.8 m (2,722 ft)

Argument Starts with your Opinion:

•I think ________________________ because
________________________________.

Open Ended

Write your opinion on one of the following:

Pizza versus Tacos

Summer versus Winter

Football versus Soccer

Claim Vs. Opinion

•Opinion: I think that summer is better than
winter because I love swimming in my pool

•Claim: Many people prefer summer over winter since there are more opportunities to do outdoor activities.

Claim Vs. Opinion

Opinion: I think that pizza is better than tacos because I love the gooey cheese

Claim: Pizza is better than tacos because there are more options for individualizing toppings and flavors

Turn your Opinion into a Claim

1)

Remove “I”

2)

Introduce topic

3)

State your side

4)

Give the MAIN reason to support your side.

Open Ended

Turn your Opinion from the previous topic into a CLAIM!
Remove I, introduce the topic (TTQA), and add a MAIN IDEA REASON.

Multiple Choice

What is the difference between an Opinion and a Claim?

• An opinion is always a fact, while a claim is just a guess.
• A claim is subjective and personal, whereas an opinion is an objective assertion.
• An opinion is subjective and personal, whereas a claim is an objective assertion that can be proven or disproven.
• An opinion can be proven true, while a claim cannot be verified.

FACTS: The most convincing!

Facts are information that you get from good, reliable websites or other sources

•You must cite your sources in the text AND in a Works Cited section!


•Facts are the most convincing elements of an argument!

Multiple Choice

True or False: You don't need to cite a source for Facts?

• True

• False

Reasons

Because ----
•What all REASONABLE people would agree to
•Something obvious and sure, if not totally provable

Examples

The least effective type of support

What you personally have experienced can serve as an example

Counter-argument
one reason from the other side of your claim

Write: "Some People May Say..."

Multiple Choice

• A statement opposing the original claim, presented in an argument to acknowledge and address an opposing reason.

• Counterargument

• Reasoning

• Summarize

• Tone

Rebuttal:
another reason/fact/example that goes against the counter-argument

Write:
They are wrong because...
That may be true, however...
Although their statement is accurate, consider...

Multiple Choice

What is a rebuttal?

• A response to the counterclaim that weakens the opposing view

• Support for the counterclaim

• Words used to make paragraphs flow smoothly

• Evidence

Writing an Argument

1. State your Claim
2. Give Background Information
3. Support your Claim with Facts, Reasons & Examples
4. State the Counter-Argument & Rebuttal
5. Conclude with a Call to Action

Review Argument Writing

1. Start with a CLAIM
2. Support it with Facts, Reasons, and Examples (examples

are the weakest support)

3. State the Counter-argument (what the other side says)
4. Add your Rebuttal (why they are wrong)
5. End with a Call to Action.