DESIREE C DE LAS ALAS

FAMILIARIZE EXAMPLE EXPLAIN

of different elements of the important key
with the basic parts arguments including: elements during the
of elements of an -claim argumentation.
argument. -evidence
-reasons
-counterarguments
 An argument is not a fight or a debate. When we think of an
argument we might imagine a disagreement between two
people, when in fact, an argument may not imply discord at all.
An argument is a search for truth and a desire to resolve
unnecessary messes. Difficulty arises in that there is always
tension between truth and persuasion. (Definition from Bean
and Ramage 2001)
CLAIM
“What do you want to convince
the reader of?”
Start by asking good, arguable
questions and answer them in
orde to get ideas for your claim.
It asserts a belief or opinion.
NOT matters of taste
NOT factual
NOT matters of faith
(religious)
Can be supported by evidence.
Believable or pausable rather
than correct.
Must represent one of at least
two points of view
REASONS
a reason is a
consideration which
justifies or explains an
action, a belief, an attitude,
or a fact. Normative
reasons are what people
appeal to when making
arguments about what
people should do or believe.
the support for a claim
or position.
required evidence to
prove.
EVIDENCE
Evidence is the facts, examples,
or sources used to support a claim. In
the sciences, this might be data
retrieved from an experiment or a
scientific journal article. In the
humanities, it may be a quotation
from the text, published information
from academic critics, or a theory
that supports your claims.
The data presented to support
your reasons.
statistics
calculations
anecdote
quotations
COUNTERARGUMENTATIONS
A counterargument is a
contrasting or opposing argument.
Counterarguments are common in
persuasive writing. In argumentation,
you are trying to convince an
audience of your claim.
To write about this
counterargument, you will need to
explain the claims and reasons why
teachers should assign homework.
You will refute these points and spend
the rest of your essay explaining why
teachers should not assign homework.
Claims + Reason
Evidence
 "The purchase of electric vs. gasoline
powered cars ought to be mandatory"

Claim
"Students shouls be allowed to dance
any way they want to"
"Teaching penmanship would improve
students learning"
"Abortion should be againts the law"
"It is healthier for us to eat organic
produce"
 "Because electric cars are better for the
environment"

Reason
"Because dancing is form of personal
expression"
"Because kids no longer take time and
pride in their school work "
"Because it is taking life"
"Because organic foods do not contain
hormones or synthetic pesticides"
 Claim: Teaching penmanship would
improve students learning

Evidence
This increases a student's writing
speed and helps their work stay neat and
tidy. Their writing can then be easily read,
ensuring that their writing, and message, is
understood. Practicing handwriting also
teaches students that they can visibly
improve their work through hard work and
perseverance.
Knowing How to Teach Handwriting Matters
by Fiona Tapp, Educator, M.A. Science Education
 Claim: Teaching penmanship would
improve students learning

Counter- This can take time away from core or

more “relevant” subjects. It can be time-

arguments consuming and frustrating for parents.

If students don’t use the skill regularly,
they could forget it. Penmanship is not as
valued in education and society as it once
was.
Knowing How to Teach Handwriting Matters
by Fiona Tapp, Educator, M.A. Science Education
 According to the Purdue Online Writing
Lab, important elements in all argument
essays include strong evidence gained
through research, a clear thesis, strong
organization and logical transitions.
 Understanding the structure of an
argument is important beacuseit enables a
reader to critique various work effectively.