Argumentative Terms

a type of writing that tries to convince the reader of something; it presents a claim and supports the claim using an argument based on evidence

• argumentative writing

• refute

• thesis statement

• pro

what you are trying to prove; a writer's position on a problem or an issue

• thesis statement

• purpose

• claim

• counterargument

a statement that supports your claim; why you believe something is true

• reason

• claim

• refute

• argumentative writing

an argument opposed to or against a proposal; negative

• con

• pro

• central idea

• evidence

prove to be false or incorrect; to show how a counterargument is not true

• evidence

• credibility

• refute

• pro

an argument in favor of a proposal; positive

• audience

• pro

• reason

• con

the people who are reading your essay; the people you are trying to convince

• central idea

• pro

• cite

• audience

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

• argument

• controversy

• claim

• evidence

An author's position or opinion about a topic, often written as the thesis in an argumentative essay.

• editorial

• controversy

• claim

• reasoning

A dispute concerning a matter of opinion is a

• claim

• controversy

• plagiarism

• reason