Argumentative Writing Vocabulary

A rebuttal is basically your way of saying,

• "No, you are wrong, and here's why."

• "That is true."

• "If I had to be swayed, I would pick your side."

• "I can see where you are coming from and I believe it."

A counterclaim is NOT...

• Also know as the counter-argument

• The claim you are trying to prove

• Is the opposing argument

• Is what you imagine the other side would say about your argument

A claim is...

• A statement that cannot be argued or proven

• A statement that can be argued and proven with emotion

• A statement that is based primarily on opinion

• A statement that can be argued and proven with emotion

Argument

• An explanation of how the evidence supports the claim: offers insights, analysis, significance, connections, and conclusions

• A debatable statement

• Demonstrating why the counter argument or counterclaim is wrong

• A direct, specific, and arguable statement that a writer or speaker attempts to prove

Counterclaim

• Disagrees with a claim by providing alternate evidence and reasoning

• Challenging an argument by addressing a different position

• Data or information is verified and sources are cited

• Facts that support a claim

Bias

• A personal and often unreasonable judgment or prejudice

• A short nonfiction piece that focuses on one topic or subject

• Notes the names of each chapter or section and gives page numbers

• First hand account of an event

Text Structure

• The writer's most important message about the topic

• Tell the names of parts of a diagram, photo, or illustration

• Nonfiction writing that tells a true story

• The way an author organizes information in a nonfiction text

Author's Purpose

• The subject of the text

• The writer's reason for writing the text; includes to persuade, inform, or entertain

• The author describes a person, place, or think in a logical order; usually using the five senses to help the reader visualize the information

• Elements of a text that are not the main body of the text; used by authors to highlight important information

Fact

• A personal view or attitude

• Found in the back of the book and tells what important words mean

• A statement that can be proved

• A book about someone's life

Rebuttal

• Demonstrating why the counter argument or counterclaim is wrong

• Data or information is verified and sources are cited

• Facts that support a claim

• Challenging an argument by addressing a different position