Understanding Claims and Outlines in Argumentative Writing

The video tutorial guides students through the process of writing an argumentative essay. It emphasizes the importance of organizing ideas using graphic organizers like outlines. The tutorial explains the differences between claims, reasons, and evidence, and provides exercises to identify these elements in text. It also demonstrates how to create and revise an outline to clearly present arguments, making it easier to write a coherent essay.

Why is it important to use graphic organizers like outlines in argumentative writing?

• To make the text longer

• To help plan where reasons and evidence will go

• To confuse the reader

• To avoid using claims

What is a claim in argumentative writing?

• The proof that shows your reasons are true

• An unrelated opinion

• A statement that supports your reasons

• The idea you are arguing or want your audience to believe

Which of the following is an example of evidence?

• Dogs are the best pets

• Every middle school student should participate in a sport

• They love you no matter what

• My dog greets me at the door with her tail wagging

In the exercise, what was identified as the claim?

• Sports teach students teamwork

• Every middle school student should participate in a sport

• Students have to work with their teammates

• Vending machines should be removed from schools

What problem was identified in the paragraph about vending machines?

• There were no claims

• The sentences were too short

• The paragraph was too long

• The sentences were jumbled and lacked clear connections

How can organizing ideas in an outline help strengthen an argumentative essay?

• By removing all claims

• By clearly showing which evidence supports which reasons

• By making the essay longer

• By confusing the reader

What is the first step in creating an outline for an argumentative essay?

• Choosing a title

• Placing the claim at the top

• Listing all evidence

• Writing the conclusion

Why is it important to have more evidence in an outline before writing an essay?

• To make the essay longer

• To avoid writing a conclusion

• To confuse the reader

• To ensure each reason is well-supported

What should you do after organizing your ideas in an outline?

• Write the introduction last

• Ignore the outline

• Revise the outline to add more evidence

• Start writing the essay immediately

How can outlines make writing clearer?

• By avoiding the use of claims

• By confusing the reader

• By helping plan where reasons and evidence will go

• By making the text longer