Argumentative Essay Terms

what a text is mostly about; the main idea

• rebuttal

• con

• central idea

• audience

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

the opposite view or position of yours

• con

• pro

• rebuttal

• counterclaim/counterargument

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

an argument opposed to or against a proposal; negative

• con

• pro

• central idea

• evidence

referring to a source to give credit or proof

• cite

• refute

• claim

• evidence

when you respond directly to your opponent's argument and show why they are wrong.

• evidence

• purpose

• reason

• rebuttal

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

• reason

• claim

• refute

• argumentative writing