Elements of an Argument Pre-Quiz

A "claim" is

• The insistence or assertion that something is true
• A cause, explanation, or justification for an action/event
• A thing accepted as or believed to be true without proof
• a brief statement or account of the main points of something

Claims are arguable. They can be disagreed with. Which of the following statements is a claim?

• Ricky is sitting next to Ryan.
• At the start of the school year Ricky and Ryan sat together.
• Ricky and Ryan want to sit together.
• Ricky should be allowed to sit next to Ryan.

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.8

CCSS.W.7.1A

Which of the following is a claim?

• Overall, the world is getting warmer.
• The world is getting warmer because of the actions of humans.
• The world often goes through shifts in weather patterns.
• The last mini-ice age ended at the beginning of the 1900s.

What is a reason?

• An arguable point someone can disagree with
• Facts which support or prove a claim
• Logic which supports and strengthens a claim
• A belief or opinion

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.1

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.8.8

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

The best kinds of reasons are:

• Kind
• Obvious
• General
• Clearly connected/related to the claim

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.1

CCSS.RI.8.8

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

Remember Ricky and Ryan? They really want to sit together. What is an example of a reason why they should be allowed to sit together?

• Ryan can help Ricky stay on task and understand his assignments
• Ryan is a very good student
• Ryan doesn't like English class
• Ricky thinks math is more important than English

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.1

CCSS.RI.7.8

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

Remember "man-made climate change"? "Man-made climate change" is the claim that the world is experiencing a dramatic shift in weather patterns and it is our, humans', fault. Which of the following is a reason which supports that claim?

• 2015 was the warmest year on record.
• Humans are directly responsible for the increase in chemicals in the atmosphere which are responsible for the weather shifts.
• 2016 will probably be the warmest year on record when it is over.
• Humans use fossil fuels to power their entire lives.

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.1

CCSS.RI.7.8

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

What is evidence?

• General information related to the claim
• Supports and explains the claim
• Applies the claim to a specific example
• Proof or facts which support your reasons

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.1

CCSS.RI.7.8

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.8.8

CCSS.RL.7.1

The best evidence is:

• Specific
• General
• Obvious
• Entertaining

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.1

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.8.8

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

Ricky should sit next to Ryan because Ryan can help Ricky with staying on task and understanding his assignments. Which evidence best supports this claim and reason?

• Ryan has gotten high scores on all of his assignments.
• Ricky likes to talk a lot.
• Ricky thinks math is more important than English.
• Ryan wants to sit next to Ricky. 

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.1

CCSS.RI.7.1

CCSS.RI.7.8

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.8.1