Let's Argue
A THESIS statement in an argument is...
Your claim or purpose for the essay
Read the claim below.
People should not keep wild animals as pets.
Select the piece of evidence that best supports this claim.
A. Wild animals often carry diseases that are incurable--and sometimes fatal--in humans.
B. Certain states and cities have laws that allow for certain wild animals to be kept as pets.
A. Wild animals often carry diseases that are incurable--and sometimes fatal--in humans.
Which is the best counterclaim for...
Green is the best color to paint your bedroom walls.
A. The color green is often associated with nature and a sense of calm.
B. Blue bedroom walls are thought to promote the most restful sleep.
B. Blue bedroom walls are thought to promote the most restful sleep.
Which sentence makes the best CLAIM for Mrs. Smitty being a great teacher?
A. Mrs. Smitty is one of the hardest working and most dedicated teachers at Brown Middle School.
B. Mrs. Smitty teaches 11 different classes each day.
C. Mrs. Smitty arrives to school much earlier and stays later than any other teacher.
D. Mrs. Smitty leads five different clubs at school.
A. Mrs. Smitty is one of the hardest working and most dedicated teachers at Brown Middle School.
TRUE or FALSE: Your reasons must support your claim.
TRUE
Read the claim below.
Smartphones have made it harder for people to think clearly.
Select the piece of evidence that best supports this claim.
A. Since smartphones first became popular, the average person's attention span has fallen from 12 seconds to 8.
B. Smartphones have enabled people to access any information they want to know, at any time, almost anywhere in the world.
A. Since smartphones first became popular, the average person's attention span has fallen from 12 seconds to 8.
Which is the best counterclaim for...
Ceiling fans are a complete waste of money.
A. Ceiling fans are very expensive and don't work.
B. Ceiling fans help people feel cooler by circulating air in the room.
B. Ceiling fans help people feel cooler by circulating air in the room.
Which sentence would be the best THESIS STATEMENT (CLAIM) for a persuasive essay about dogs?
A. Dogs have been found to provide health benefits to their owners.
B. There are many different kinds of dogs.
C. Dogs are found in most homes in the United States.
D. Many homes have more than one dog.
A. Dogs have been found to provide health benefits to their owners.
What is a CLAIM?
a specific opinion that can be supported by evidence
Read the claim below.
Fishing is a great way to relax and enjoy the outdoors.
Select the piece of evidence that best supports this claim.
A. Many anglers find that fishing promotes both patience and care for the natural world.
B. Fishing requires the use of special equipment as well as access to a clean body of water.
A. Many anglers find that fishing promotes both patience and care for the natural world.
Which is the best counterclaim for...
The world's most dangerous creatures live in the ocean.
A. The three deadliest animals to humans--snakes, mosquitoes, and dogs--all live on land.
B. The box jellyfish's venom is so strong that it can cause the human heart to stop beating.
A. The three deadliest animals to humans--snakes, mosquitoes, and dogs--all live on land.
Which sentence makes a claim for an argument about why cats make good pets for elderly people?
A. Cats would be a wonderful pet for elderly people because they require minimal care.
B. Cats sleep the majority of the day and enjoy cuddling with their owners.
C. Cats can stay indoors all the time and can be left alone overnight.
A. Cats would be a wonderful pet for elderly people because they require minimal care.
The three parts of an argument...?
Claim, evidence, reasoning
True or False: Evidence is data or facts that support your claim.
TRUE!
Which is the best counterclaim for...
Swallowing watermelon seeds is bad for you.
A. Watermelon seeds are sometimes used for spitting contests.
B. Watermelon seeds contain lots of healthy protein.
B. Watermelon seeds contain lots of healthy protein.
Which is the better CLAIM?
A. Cartoonist Jeff Kinney's book Diary of a Wimpy Kid deserves all of the praise it has received.
B. Cartoonist Jeff Kinney worked on Diary of a Wimpy Kid for six years.
A. Cartoonist Jeff Kinney's book Diary of a Wimpy Kid deserves all of the praise it has received.
True or False: You should start a claim with "I think" or "I believe"
FALSE
Read the claim below.
The world would be better off without cockroaches.
Select the piece of evidence that best supports this claim.
A. Cockroaches carry disease and can trigger allergies and asthma attacks.
B. Cockroaches are an important part of forest ecosystems since they regulate nitrogen, allowing plants to grow.
A. Cockroaches carry disease and can trigger allergies and asthma attacks.
Which is the best counterclaim for...
Everyone should have a robot to help with housework.
A. Using robots would make people lazier.
B. For decades, science fiction has shown robots can help clean houses.
A. Using robots would make people lazier.
Which is the better CLAIM?
A. A 2017 survey showed that twenty-five percent of Americans eat blueberry pancakes once a week.
B. Blueberry pancakes are the most popular pancake.
B. Blueberry pancakes are the most popular pancake.