Genre: Argument

Genre: Argument

In an argument, an author states a claim and supports it with reasons and evidence.

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What is an argument?

Multiple Choice

Which of these is NOT one of the main components of an argument?

• claim

• supports

• questions

• evidence

The author's position on a problem or issue.

​Usually, they will either be for (in favor of) or against (opposed to) an issue.

​Claim

Multiple Choice

Topic: Chocolate is the best ice cream flavor.

Claim: I do not believe that chocolate is the best ice cream flavor.

Is this claim FOR or AGAINST the issue?

• FOR

• AGAINST

Support is the reasons and evidence to prove the claim.

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Support

Specific facts, statistics, and examples.

Example: Chocolate is not the best ice cream flavor because a survey showed that vanilla was preferred by 57% of people.

Evidence

Statements made to explain an action or belief.

Example: I believe that chocolate is not the best ice cream flavor because it tastes weird.

Reasons

Reasons VS. Evidence

Multiple Choice

REASON or EVIDENCE?

I think dogs are the best pets because they are friendly.

• reason

• evidence

Multiple Select

Select ALL of the examples of EVIDENCE.

Hint: Remember evidence refers to specific facts, statistics, and examples.

• Dogs are better because they are friendly.

• 73% of Americans said that they had owned a dog at some point.

• Only 37% of Americans said they preferred cats to dogs.

• Cats are not good pets because they are moody.

• Dogs can adjust to new environments twice as fast as cats.

Statements that address opposing viewpoints.


Good arguments anticipate disagreements and disprove them.

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Counterclaims

Claim: Cell phones should be allowed at school.

Counterclaim: Some say that cell phones should not be allowed at school because they are distracting.

Example

Multiple Choice

Which is the BEST counterclaim to this claim?

Grape jelly is the best jelly for PB&J's.

• Grape jelly is better than strawberry jelly.

• Strawberry jelly is weird because it has seeds.

• Some people say that strawberry jelly is the best because it is refreshing.

Addressing readers using the pronouns "you" or "yourself."

Example: Imagine yourself as an astronaut, a part of the first mission to Mars.

Direct Address

Questions that are asked without expecting an answer.

Example: Would you want to trust a scientific mission to the people who run reality TV?

Rhetorical Questions

​Words with strong positive or negative meanings used to influence readers.

Example: This form of mining would be incredibly beneficial to our survival.

Loaded Language

​Rhetorical Devices:

​techniques used to improve arguments

Multiple Choice

Which of these does NOT use direct address?

• Lionel Messi has won one FIFA World Cup.

• Imagine that you are a billionaire.

• If you care about animals, you should adopt them.

• You are capable of making change, if you believe in yourself.

Open Ended

Use loaded language to either agree or disagree with this claim:

The school week should only be 4 days.

Hint: Use words like incredibly, very, negatively, positively, or healthy.