The Anatomy
What is a Claim?
The writer’s main position or stance on an issue.
What is a Fact?
A statement that can be proven true with data or observation.
What is a Counterclaim?
An argument that goes against the writer's main claim.
What is Pathos?
An appeal to the reader's emotions, like pity or fear.
What is the Bandwagon fallacy?
A claim that "everyone is doing it," so you should too.
What is a Thesis Statement?
The one sentence in the intro that states the claim and main reasons.
What is a Statistic?
Information expressed in numerical form, like "75% of students."
What is a Rebuttal (or Refutation)?
The part where the writer proves the opposing side wrong.
What is Logos?
An appeal to logic, facts, and rational reasoning.
What is Ad Hominem?
Attacking the person instead of their argument.
What are Transitions?
Words like "however" or "consequently" that help an essay flow.
What is a Quote?
A piece of evidence that comes directly from a book or interview.
What is Ethos?
Writers include a counterclaim to build this type of trust/credibility.
What is Ethos?
Establishing trust by showing the writer is fair and knowledgeable.
What is a Hasty Generalization?
Making a broad claim based on only one or two small examples.
What is the Conclusion?
The part of the essay where the writer sums up and looks to the future.
What is Reasoning (or a Warrant)?
The bridge that explains how evidence proves the claim.
What is a Concession?
A strategy where a writer acknowledges the opposing view's strengths.
What is Modality?
Words like "must" or "certainly" used to show strong belief.
What is a Slippery Slope?
Claiming one small event will lead to a total disaster.
What is a Hook?
The "context" provided in an intro to grab attention.
What is Validity (or Credibility)?
When evidence is "biased" or "outdated," it fails this quality test.
What is the Toulmin Model?
This formal model involves "grounds," "warrants," and "rebuttals."
What is Exigence?
The term for "why the topic matters" or the urgency of the argument.
What is a Straw Man?
Misrepresenting an opponent's argument to make it easier to attack.