Essay Structure

Complete this sentence to create an argumentative claim.

Rosa Park's act of civil disobedience was a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement

• but at the time she did not know her single action would ignite a firestorm of protests and boycotts

• that inspired other advocates of her generation and generations to come.

• and her efforts should be commemorated by putting her image on a piece of US currency.

• that brought national attention to the harsh realities of Jim Crow Laws.

Which of the sentences below is the strongest argumentative claim?

• In order to prevent disasters like The Great Barrier Reef, the education systems and governments around the world need to work to limit our impact on the environment.

• The Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef in the world; it is 1,400 miles long and spans much of the coast of Queensland, Australia.

• Marine biologists have recently discovered a large blue hold in the middle of the Great Barrier Reef.

• The Great Barrier Reef is losing its color and dying off because of the continuous rise of ocean temperatures.

Which of the following best explains the purpose of argumentative writing?

• to entertain the reader with an interesting idea

• to upset the reader with a controversial topic

• to convince the reader that an assertion is correct

• to inform the reader about an important subject

Which of the following would make the best subject for an argumentative essay?

• the difference between recreational and commercial drones

• the use of drones in home delivery services

• the thrill of learning how to fly a drone

• the need for drone users to have a license

Which of the following statements best represents an argumentative claim?

• Individuals who text and walk tend to look down at their phones rather than look forward at the objects in front of them.

• Walking while talking injures more than 20,000 people each year nationwide

• Walking while texting is equally as dangerous as driving while texting and should be made a ticketable offense.

• The majority of people say that they have seen someone get injured while walking and texting

A transition is used to...

• Reveal to the reader the main points of the essay

• Signal to the reader that the writer is changing the subject

• Signal to the reader that the writer is adding more support and evidence to the claim

• Inform the reader about the needed facts and details so they understand the essay

The counterclaim of an essay can be defined as...

• The major viewpoint that the essay shares and supports

• Explanation of evidence that proves all of the other viewpoints to be wrong

• The viewpoint that is the opposite of the main claim

• Evidence that convinces the audience to agree with the writer

Which of the following is a reason or other idea that shows why the argumentative claim is true?

• A Transition

• Evidence

• A counterclaim

• A subclaim

Which of the following words would TAKE AWAY from a writer's FORMAL STYLE? Check all that apply

• sincerely

• precisely

• good

• very

• can't

Use your knowledge of transitions to select the best choice for the statement below:

______people like the feel of physical books, many find e-readers more convenient

• Although

• Likewise

• Certain