Argumentative Writing

This is a structured essay using clear CLAIM, EVIDENCE, & REASONING for the purpose of persuading others

• narrative essay
• explanatory essay
• argumentative essay
• descriptive essay

Every argument begins with one of these.

• claim
• reason
• evidence
• explanation

To support a claim, you should have one or more of these, which tell why.

• reason
• counterclaim
• statistic
• counterargument

This tells more about the reasons that support a claim, especially why it matters.

• claim
• evidence
• counterclaim
• reason

__________is the opposing claim; the other side

• Counter-claim
• Rebuttal
• Conclusion
• Claim

Which of these is a well-written piece of evidence that proves students should be required to take a Foreign Language? 

• You will learn another language. 
• Waste of time
• There is little evidence that many students achieve much fluencey in high school. 
• Learning another language improves students' vocabulary and grammar skills. 

Which of these is a well-written counter-claim to the claim that students should be required to take a Foreign Language? 

• Some might argue that it is a waste of time to learn a new langauge.
• Opponents might argue that it is not worthwhile to learn another language because the rest of the world is learning English.
• Learning a new language doesn't help students.
• There aren't many interpreters that aren't imported from outside the U.S.

What is a rebuttal?

• The opposing viewpoint
• Explains why your claim is stronger than your counterargument
• Facts and statistics to support ideas
• Connects evidence to the claim

You think that 6th graders should be able to play basketball for the school, but the intramural directors disagree. The directors believe that 6th graders are too young to deal with the stress of the game and keep up with their grades. What would be a good rebuttal for this scenario?

• Although 6th graders are younger than 7th or 8th graders, some of us are just as responsible as other kids.
• It is true that most 6th graders are less mature than 8th graders.

An argument in favor of something is known as the ____ side. 

• Con
• Pro