Using Evidence in an Argumentative Essay

This is a structured essay using clear CLAIM, EVIDENCE, & REASONING for the purpose of persuading others

• narrative essay

• explanatory essay

• argumentative essay

• descriptive essay

What is the purpose of an ARGUMENTATIVE PAPER?

• To inform the reader about a topic

• Entertain the reader with a story

• Argue for/against a topic

• Describe using the five senses

Before choosing a position or side, you should

• develop a thesis

• write the introduction

• consider both sides

• make an outline

Once you choose a position/side, you should

• develop your claim/thesis

• develop an introduction

• generate ideas

• outline your entire essay

A set of reasons given with the aim of persuading others that an action or idea is right or wrong.

• argument

• controversy

• claim

• evidence

What is a claim?

• The sentence that gets the reader's attention.

• The main idea of an essay.

• The counterargument.

• Your views on a topic.

What is the purpose of claims?

• Support the argument.

• Restate the argument.

• Share facts with the reader.

• Share the authors point of view.

To support a claim, you should have one or more of these, which tell why.

• reason

• counterclaim

• statistic

• counterargument

This tells more about the reasons that support a claim, especially why it matters.

• claim

• evidence

• counterclaim

• reason

“Students should not be required to do community service” is a/an

• evidence

• reason

• claim

• paraphrase