Tracing and Evaluating an Argument

Match the following

• Reasons answer this question.

• Reasons

• Why the author feels the way he or she does about the argument.

• Claim

• This is used to prove or support the author's reasons.

• Evidence

• The author's opinion or position on a topic.

• Facts, quotes and statistics

• Examples of evidence

• Why?

If you are evaluating an argument you are

• tracing it

• questioning it

• countering it

• judging it

What does it mean to "trace" an argument?

• to take a pencil and physically ouline the text

• to decide whether it is convincing or not

• to reread it

• to follow the reasoning of the argument

For example. research shows that 90% of people who are selfie-obssesed report having lost friendships.

• Claim

• Evidence

• Reason

Answer explanation

This is a claim because some people might think TikTok is a great app that helps people learn more and be creative. Not everyone agrees, which means it must be a claim. 

What is the CLAIM of this paragraph?

Everyone should download emoji's on their electronic devices. Emojis are a newer addition to texting and there are a total of 845 emojis that have different expressions. After all, they are free, expressive, and add a little something to any text!

• Emojis are a newer addition to texting.

• There are a total of 845 emojis that have different expressions.

• Everyone should download emoji's on their electronic device.

• After all, they are free, expressive, and add a little something to any text!

What is the CLAIM of this paragraph?

It is important to buy books for the library. Kids will have more opportunities to read. They can save money by checking out books. Plus, the school will not have to wait as long to read our favorite book!

• It is important to buy books for the library.

• Kids will have more opportunities to read.

• They can save money by checking out books.

• Plus, the school will not have to wait as long to read our favorite book!

Does the evidence support the claim?

Claim: Fenty Beauty has better products than Kylie Cosmetics.

Evidence: Fenty Beauty foundation is rated four stars at Sephora, but Kylie Cosmetics foundation isn’t even sold at Sephora.

• Yes

• No

Does the evidence support the claim?

Claim: Dogs are able to provide safety and protection for people.

Evidence: With a dog, you can play frisbee, tug-o-war, and a variety of other fun activities that you can't do with other pets.

• Yes

• No

Choose a piece of evidence for: 

Kids who are 12 and over should be allowed to vote for the president.

• We will be more interested and involved at school if we get to make our own choices.

• The president, and the president's decisions, affect everyone- including kids.

• Kids should be able to vote for whomever they want.

• Steve said, "I'm not voting until I get legs..."

What kind of evidence might you use to support your reason about uniforms. Remember, evidence often involves quotes, facts or statistics.