Argument Vocabulary

What is the CLAIM in an argument?

• Main idea that states a general belief or opinion to be debated.

• The main idea that explains what happened and why.

• Your personal beliefs that feel right to you and fit your ideas of right and wrong.

• A large piece of land claimed by settlers which they farm and build a home.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.4D

CCSS.L.6.4C

CCSS.L.7.4C

CCSS.L.8.4C

CCSS.L.9-10.4C

What is the REASON in an argument?

• Facts, statistics, expert quotes that prove something is true.

• A general idea that goes against the claim.

• A general idea the supports the claim or shows why the claim makes sense.

• Explaining to your reader the main point and leaving them with something to remember.

Tags

CCSS.L.7.6

CCSS.W.7.2D

CCSS.L.8.6

CCSS.W.8.2D

CCSS.W.6.2D

What is the EVIDENCE in an argument?

• The writer’s own ideas about why they believe the claim.

  
  

• Facts, statistics, expert quotes or research that prove the reason.

  
  

• A fact or idea that leads you to a conclusion.

  
  

• An idea that goes against the claim.

Tags

CCSS.L.7.6

CCSS.W.7.2D

CCSS.L.8.6

CCSS.W.8.2D

CCSS.L.6.6

What is the COUNTERCLAIM in an argument?

• The writer’s own ideas about why they believe the claim.

  
  

• Facts, statistics, expert quotes or research that prove the reason.

  
  

• A fact or idea that leads you to a conclusion.

  
  

• An idea that goes against the claim OR a reason to NOT believe the claim.

Tags

CCSS.L.7.6

CCSS.W.7.2D

CCSS.L.8.6

CCSS.W.8.2D

CCSS.L.6.6

What is the REBUTTAL in an argument?

• The writer’s own ideas about why they believe the claim.

  
  

• Reply to the counterclaim OR defense against the counterclaim.
  

• To repeat the same idea as your claim but use different words.

  
  

• An idea that goes against the claim OR a reason to NOT believe the claim.

Tags

CCSS.L.7.6

CCSS.W.7.2D

CCSS.L.8.6

CCSS.L.6.6

CCSS.W.6.2D

What is the CONCLUSION in an argument?

• The writer’s own ideas about why they believe the claim.

  
  

• Reply to the counterclaim OR defense against the counterclaim.
  

• To say the claim and reasons and evidence again.

  
  

• Restating your claim & stating the “big picture” to remember.

Tags

CCSS.L.7.6

CCSS.W.7.2D

CCSS.L.8.6

CCSS.W.8.2D

CCSS.W.6.2D

I believe that our school should participate in Shutdown Your Screen Week and that everyone in the school can benefit if we avoid electronics for one week.

• Rebuttal

• Reason

• Claim

• Evidence

Tags

CCSS.L.7.6

CCSS.W.7.2D

CCSS.W.8.2D

CCSS.L.6.6

CCSS.W.6.2D

One reason we should participate in Shut Down Your Screen Week is that using electronics and multitasking causes focus problems, on and off computers.

• Rebuttal

• Reason

• Claim

• Evidence

Tags

CCSS.L.7.6

CCSS.W.7.2D

CCSS.L.8.6

CCSS.W.8.2D

CCSS.W.6.2D

In the article Attached to Technology and Paying a Price by Matt Richtel, it says, “Brain scientists have discovered that juggling email, phone calls, and other incoming information can change how people think and behave. They say our ability to focus is being destroyed..."

• Rebuttal

• Reason

• Counterclaim

• Evidence

Tags

CCSS.L.7.6

CCSS.W.7.2D

CCSS.L.8.6

CCSS.W.8.2D

CCSS.L.6.6

Some people say that technology makes you smarter. Why stop using something that’s helping you?

• Rebuttal

• Reason

• Counterclaim

• Evidence

Tags

CCSS.L.7.6

CCSS.W.7.2D

CCSS.L.8.6

CCSS.L.6.6

CCSS.W.6.2D