Academic Arguments
To state something confidently or forcefully.
What is assert?
Information that is stated clearly and directly rather than merely suggested.
What is explicit?
The student's essay was easy to follow because every paragraph connected logically to the next. The essay was _____.
What is coherent?
To examine a source closely and critically before deciding whether it is trustworthy.
What is scrutinize?
Which vocabulary word means the opposite of 'unclear or open to multiple interpretations'?
What is explicit?
What does MITIGATE mean?
A. Make something worse
B. Make something less severe
C. Eliminate something completely
B. Make something less severe
To acknowledge that an opposing argument has some merit.
What is concede?
A message that is suggested or understood without being stated directly.
What is implicit?
The politician's statement could be understood in several different ways. His wording was _____.
What is ambiguous?
The most important or relevant point in an argument is its _____ point.
What is salient?
Which word would best describe an essay whose ideas are logical and well-organized?
What is coherent?
What does CORROBORATE mean?
A. Contradict a statement
B. Exaggerate a story
C. Confirm something with additional evidence
C. Confirm something with additional evidence
To support a claim using facts, examples, or evidence.
What is substantiate?
To draw a conclusion based on evidence and reasoning.
What is infer?
The researcher based her conclusions on experiments and measurable observations. Her evidence was _____.
What is empirical?
To modify a claim by adding conditions or limitations so that it is more accurate.
What is qualify?
A writer admits that the opposing position makes one valid point before defending her thesis. What is she doing?
What is conceding?
A PRAGMATIC person is:
A. Practical and realistic
B. Emotional and impulsive
C. Unwilling to compromise
A. Practical and realistic
An argument that is persuasive, convincing, or especially interesting is described as this.
What is compelling?
To recognize or distinguish something through careful observation or thought.
What is discern?
The witness's explanation sounded reasonable, although it had not yet been proven. The explanation was _____.
What is plausible?
A framework or model that shapes how people understand a subject.
What is paradigm?
A writer changes 'Social media is always harmful' to 'Excessive social media use may harm some teenagers.' What has the writer done to the CLAIM?
What is qualifying the claim?
What does UBIQUITOUS mean?
A. Extremely rare
B. Found almost everywhere
C. Difficult to understand
B. Found almost everywhere
Evidence so overwhelming that it cannot reasonably be disputed is described as this.
What is incontrovertible?
A subtle difference in meaning or interpretation that a careful reader might notice.
What is nuance?
The student's unusually high score was inconsistent with his previous results. The score was _____.
What is anomalous?
A person who demonstrates unusually sharp judgment and understands complex situations quickly possesses this.
What is acumen?
A scientist's unexpected finding challenges the accepted model for explaining a phenomenon. Name the two vocabulary words that best describe the finding and the model.
What are anomalous and paradigm?
An EQUIVOCAL answer is:
A. Clear and direct
B. Completely false
C. Ambiguous or unclear
C. Ambiguous or unclear