Crafting Effective Arguments Quiz

What is the primary purpose of a claim in an argumentative essay?

• To summarize the opposing viewpoint

• To state the writer's main position or argument on a topic

• To provide background information about the topic

• To list all the evidence used in the essay

Which of the following is an example of a transition word that shows contrast between two ideas?

• Furthermore

• In addition

• However

• Therefore

Tags

CCSS.L.1.6

CCSS.L.5.6

What is a counterclaim?

• To ignore any viewpoints that disagree with your argument

• To recognize and address a viewpoint that differs from your own claim or acknowledgement of the other side's claim

• To copy the opposing claim word for word into your essay

• To replace your own claim with the opposing claim

Which of the following best describes what an effective conclusion should do in an argumentative essay?

• Introduce a brand new argument that was not discussed in the essay

• Simply restate the introduction word for word

• Summarize your main points of the essay and call your reader to action

• List all the evidence used in the body paragraphs

A student is writing an argumentative essay and wants to connect her reasons and evidence so that the reader can clearly follow her logic. Which strategy should she use?

• Write each reason in a separate essay with no connection to the others

• Use transitions and clearly explain how each reason relates to her claim

• Present her evidence without explaining how it supports her claim

• Place all her evidence in the conclusion paragraph

Read the following introduction to an argumentative essay: *"Many students spend hours on social media every day. Some people think this is fine, but others disagree."* What is missing from this introduction?

• Background information about social media

• A clear claim stating the writer's position on social media use

• A list of transition words

• A summary of the conclusion

A student writes the following conclusion: *"In conclusion, as shown by the evidence above, schools should start later in the morning because students who get more sleep perform better academically, are healthier, and are more focused in class."* Why is this an effective conclusion?

• It introduces a new argument about school schedules

• It ignores the claim made earlier in the essay

• It reinforces the argument by summarizing the key reasons that support the claim

• It only restates the introduction without adding any support

A student is writing an argumentative essay claiming that homework should be limited to 30 minutes per night. He finds a study showing that excessive homework increases student stress. However, he also knows that some teachers argue homework reinforces learning. How should the student best handle this opposing claim to strengthen his argument?

• Remove all mention of the opposing claim so readers only see his side

• Acknowledge the opposing claim and then provide reasoning and evidence that counters it while still supporting his position

• Change his claim to agree with the teachers since they are the authority

• Place the opposing claim in the conclusion without addressing it

Which describe a necessary part of an essay? Select all that apply

• Conclusion and call to action

• Introduction with claim stated that includes reasons for your position

• body paragraphs that have claim (topic sentence), evidence, and reasoning

• counterclaim and rebuttal

• a question as a hook that only requires a reader to give a quick yes or no answer