Commas
Where should the comma(s) be? We went to the store and we bought some milk.
What is WE WENT TO THE STORE, AND WE BOUGHT SOME MILK?
Is this a claim or a counterclaim? Despite evidence to the contrary, it is clear that students prefer having their cell phones in class to check Facebook rather than use their phones for educational purposes they find boring or stupid.
What is a counterclaim?
Evidence or not evidence? Using marijuana is less serious than drinking alcohol because alcohol can kill people, but marijuana has never killed anyone.
What is not evidence? (This is a claim)
Does this rebuttal work? Counterclaim: Teens should smoke marijuana to help them feel better. Rebuttal: There are better ways to make yourself feel good that are not harmful to you or others, including counseling, exercise and journaling.
What is this rebuttal works?
It was a hot humid day.
What is a comma between hot and humid? (It was a hot, humid day.)
Where should the comma(s) be? Today is March 10 2009
What is MARCH 10, 2009?
Claim
What is the author's opinion/main idea of the whole essay?
Irrelevant or Relevant Evidence: Argument = legalize marijuana Is this evidence relevant or irrelevant? "Teens who use marijuana daily before age 17 are more than 60% less likely to get their high school diploma than those who've never used pot, according to a new study published Tuesday in the journal The Lancet Psychiatry" (CNN, 2014)
What is irrelevant?
Does this rebuttal work? Counterclaim: Schools should not ban junk food in school because healthy food tastes bad. Rebuttal: There is no rule that says that healthy food has to taste bad! There are healthy snacks that are salty, crunchy, sweet, and delicious to eat, they should try them first.
What is yes, this is a rebuttal?
Among all the cars, theirs is the newest.
What is NOTHING IS NEEDED?
Where should the comma(s) be? Although I studied all night I wasn't ready for the test.
What is ALTHOUGH I STUDIED ALL NIGHT, I WASN'T READY FOR THE TEST?
Relevant or Irrelevant Evidence: FOR banning marijuana sales to teens: "The article expressly states that there remains no evidence that using marijuana causes depression, suicide or dropping out of school," he said. "It simply shows that teens who are prone to developing these problems are more likely to have used marijuana."
What is irrelevant?
Claim or Counterclaim: (Argument = for cell phones in school) Cell phones increase student engagement because students want to use their technology in the classroom and appreciate opportunities to use their phones.
What is a claim?
Counterclaim: We should ban cell phones in school because they cause a distraction. Rebuttal: Using cell phones during school can also lead to problems with cyberbullying, which can lead to teens committing suicide.
What is nope, not a rebuttal?
Theres nothing wrong with that.
What is an apostrophe in the first word? (There's nothing wrong with that.)
Where should the comma(s) be? My brother who is six feet tall likes to play basketball.
What is MY BROTHER, WHO IS SIX FEET TALL, LIKES TO PLAY BASKETBALL?
Strong or Weak Claim: Dogs are fantastic pets because they are loyal, easy to train, and friends to the whole family.
The example is a strong thesis because it gives the author's position (dogs are fantastic pets), gives 3 supporting reasons (why dogs are fantastic pets), and is written in formal writing style (3rd person, no slang, no abbreviations, no contractions).
Claim or Counterclaim: Argument = for recycling paper = yay recycling! There are many recycled paper goods available in stores, but typically recycled paper requires more energy to create than it does to dispose of the original paper. This is because of the gas used by cars transporting paper to recycling plants.
What is a counterclaim?
Counterclaim: Students should only go to school for 9 months of the year because year-round school is expensive. Rebuttal: In Germany, there are schools that only go for a half-day. Yet, students successfully complete 2 years of college before they ever graduate high school! There's no need to be in school more - just be better with the time you have.
What is nope, not a rebuttal?
The middle school is very demanding students must study hard to do well.
What is a semicolon between demanding and students? (The middle school is very demanding; students must study hard to do well.)
Where should the comma(s) be? We bought bananas apples oranges and limes.
What is WE BOUGHT BANANAS, APPLES, ORANGES, AND LIMES?
Evidence or not evidence: "Parents really need to chaperone their kids to school dances, because they really don't know what their kids are up to, and who they're with. Parental involvement is important, especially to teens," Jones stated in an interview with the Kansas City Star.
What is NOT EVIDENCE? That's just like, their opinion, man.
Relevant or Irrelevant Evidence: FOR selling junk food at school: "Junk food is, without a doubt, terrible for students' health. However, with freedom comes responsibility, and choices should not be limited based on the possibility of future illness" (Smith, 2015).
What is relevant?
Counterclaim: We should not have year-round school because it is expensive. Rebuttal: Most parents prefer students attend year-round school, saying they would gladly pay a few more dollars in taxes so their child can learn more during the summer.
What is yes - that's a rebuttal?
The tallest boy whose name is Greg is 12 years old.
What is "The tallest boy, whose name is Greg, is 12 years old"?