Authors Argument and Claims

Every argument begins with one of these.

• claim
• reason
• evidence
• explanation

"Experts" are an authoritative source of information that can be used as what in an argument?

• evidence
• claim
• reason
• explanation

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

• claim
• evidence
• explanation
• example

When is evidence relevant?

• it relates to and supports the claim
• it is a fact, not an opinion
• it is supported by experts or statistics
• it offers a believable example

__________is the opposing claim; the other side

• Counter-claim
• Rebuttal
• Conclusion
• Claim

Which of these is a well-written piece of evidence that proves students should be required to take a Foreign Language? 

• You will learn another language. 
• Waste of time
• There is little evidence that many students achieve much fluencey in high school. 
• Learning anothe rlanguage improves students' vocabulary and grammar skills. 

Which of these is a well-written counter-claim to the claim that students should be required to take a Foreign Language? 

• Some might argue that it is a waste of time to learn a new langauge.
• Opponents might argue that it is not worthwhile to learn another language because the rest of the world is learning English.
• Learning a new language doesn't help students.
• There aren't many interpreters that aren't imported from outside the U.S.

a rhetorical appeal that uses facts and logic (empirical and logical evidence) to appeal to an audience’s sense of reason

• rhetoric
• pathos
• logos
• ethos

a rhetorical appeal focused on the credibility of the speaker and the respect the speaker has with the audience (sometimes done through experts or celebrities)

• rhetoric
• pathos
• logos
• ethos

a rhetorical appeal to strong emotions, values, ideals, etc. in the audience (anecdotal evidence usually helps the audience feel emotion)

• rhetoric
• pathos
• logos
• ethos