Argumentative Vocabulary

The expected objection to the writer's claim.

• Claim

• Rebuttal

• Opposing Claim

• Counter-claim

Presenting reasoning or facts to disprove a claim.

• Opposing Claim

• Claim

• Counter-claim

• Rebuttal

Evidence that is important and necessary to supporting the claim.

• Irrelevant Evidence

• Claim

• Relevant Evidence

• Ethos

Evidence that is extra or besides the point of the claim. It is not necessary to prove the claim.

• Rebuttal

• Irrelevant Evidence

• Pathos

• Relevant Evidence

When you respond directly to your opponent's claim to prove, with evidence, how they are wrong.

• Reasoning

• Evidence

• Opposing Claim

• Rebuttal

The use of logic and thinking to appeal to the reader.

• Ethos

• Pathos

• Logos

• Purpose

The use of feelings and emotions to appeal to the reader.

• Pathos

• Logos

• Ethos

• Claim

The people who will read the author's piece and will hopefully support the author's claim.

• Purpose

• Audience

• Counter-claim

• Logos

evidence that is to the point, applicable and pertinent

• sound reasoning

• relevant evidence

• claim

• expert testimony

a writer’s position or stance on a controversial issue

• claim

• fact

• sound rasoning

• irrelevant