Argumentative Writing Terminology

Writing that supports a position on or a claim about a particular topic through the use of logic, reasons, and evidence, often acknowledging and/or developing a counterclaim. It may have many purposes: to change the reader's point of view, to establish a call to action, or to get the reader to accept the writer's position or claim. It is a reasoned, logical way of showing that the writer's position is valid.

• Argumentative Writing
• Claim
• Evidence
• Credible Source
• Counterargument

the writer's position on an issue or problem

• Claim
• Evidence
• Credible Source
• Counterargument
• Opposing

Anything that tends to establish or disprove a fact.

• Evidence
• Credible Source
• Counterargument
• Opposing
• Cite

A source that can be trusted in or believed

• Credible Source
• Counterargument
• Opposing
• Cite
• Viewpoint

A challenge to a position; "against" side of a debate

• Counterargument
• Opposing
• Cite
• Viewpoint
• Data

To be against something

• Opposing
• Cite
• Viewpoint
• Data
• Call to action

To quote or mention the source

• Cite
• Viewpoint
• Data
• Call to action
• Justify

Author's perspective or feelings or opinion about a topic

• Viewpoint
• Data
• Call to action
• Justify
• Bias

Facts, figures, and other evidence gathered through observations.

• Data
• Call to action
• Justify
• Bias
• Rebuttal

writing that urges people to action or promotes change

• Call to action
• Justify
• Bias
• Rebuttal
• Topic Sentence