Evaluating an Argument TOTD

What is an argument in an informational text?

• a judgement on the evidence and claims presented

• something that captures your attention

• an opinion that the author wants readers to agree with

• the dialogue of two characters yelling at each other

What does it mean to evaluate an argument?

• to judge whether or not the claims and evidence have a sound basis in logic and work together to create a strong argument

• to agree or disagree with the author's stance on the topic

• to determine whether or not the argument is about something you can relate to

• to provide evidence to support a claim

What is the purpose of evaluating an argument?

• to prove that my opinion on the subject is the right one

• to help me judge the merits of the author's stance as well as develop my own opinions about a topic

• so that I can be easily influenced by the opinions of others

• so that my ELA teacher can bore me to death

In writing, an argument is...

• a text that explains why an author's position is valid.

• found in the form of speeches, articles, and essays.

• a text that includes an introduction, body, and conclusion.

• all of the above

What is a claim in argumentative writing ?

• a demand or a reader to do something

• a statement an author believes to be true

• a declaration that something belongs to you

• a right to property

In argumentative writing, what is evidence?

• information such as reasons, facts, and examples, that supports the author's claim

• a suspicion of wrong doing

• an object that tends to increase comfort

• a publication that appears at regular intervals such as a newspaper or magazine

To say that there is enough evidence to support a claim, you would say the evidence is...

• minimal

• sufficient

• ordinary

• swell

To say that the evidence presented relates to the topic in a appropriate way, you would say the evidence is

• useless

• important

• insignificant

• relevant

If an author supports sufficient relevant evidence to support his claim and his ideas have a sound basis in logic, you would say the argument is...

• valid and strong

• illogical and irrational

• smart and sturdy

• believable and true