Argumentive Writing

Define Vocab

100

What is Supporting Details?

Supporting details are the evidence and explanations that strengthen and clarify a central point.

200

Define, "Evidence"?

Evidence is information used to support or refute a claim.

300

Define, "Claim"?

A claim is a statement asserting something as true or demanding something owed.

400

Define, "Rebuttal"?

A rebuttal is a response that aims to disprove or contradict a previous claim or argument.

500

Define an counterclaim

A counterclaim is a statement that opposes or contradicts a previous claim or argument.

Counterargument rebuttals

100

This is a statement that opposes or contradicts a previous claim

What is a counterclaim?

200

This is a response that aims to disprove or contradict a previous claim or argument.

What is a rebuttal?

300

If someone claims "All dogs are friendly," this is a possible counterclaim

What is "Some dogs are aggressive" or "Not all dogs are friendly"?

400

To effectively perform this, a rebuttal must provide evidence and reasoning to weaken the original claim.

What is to refute or disprove?

500

If a claim is "School uniforms improve student behavior," a strong rebuttal would need to address these two aspects of the claim. 

What are "the definition of improved behavior" and "evidence that uniforms are the cause of that improvement"?

Identifying Claim

100

This is a statement that asserts something as true or demands something owed.

What is a claim?

200

A claim that can be proven true or false with facts, like "The Civil War happened in the 1860s."

What is a claim of fact?

300

A claim that expresses an opinion about what is good or bad, like "Chocolate is the best dessert."

What is a claim of value?

400

A claim that suggests a solution or action, like "Students should have more time for recess."

What is a claim of policy?

500

This is the main claim that an author uses to focus their entire essay or argument.

What is a thesis statement or central claim?

Finding evidence

100

• The school's new lunch menu featured healthier options. Students noticed more fresh fruits and vegetables."

• Question: What evidence supports the claim that the school is offering healthier lunches?

What is "more fresh fruits and vegetables"?

200

• Passage: "The library reported a significant increase in book checkouts after the new reading challenge was announced. The librarian stated, 'We've seen a 30% rise in borrowed books.'"

• Question: What evidence supports the claim that the reading challenge was successful?

What is "a 30% rise in borrowed books" or "a significant increase in book checkouts"?

300

• Passage: "The science experiment showed that plants grew taller in sunlight. One student recorded, 'The plant in the sun grew 5 inches, while the plant in the dark grew only 2 inches.'"

• Question: What evidence supports the claim that sunlight helps plants grow taller?

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  • What is "The plant in the sun grew 5 inches, while the plant in the dark grew only 2 inches"?

    
    

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400

• Passage: "The town's new recycling program has reduced landfill waste. A recent report stated, 'Landfill waste has decreased by 25% since the program began.'"

• Question: What evidence supports the claim that the recycling program is effective?

What is "Landfill waste has decreased by 25%"?

500

• Passage: "The historical document describes the harsh conditions faced by factory workers in the 19th century. One section reads, 'Workers labored for 14 hours a day in poorly ventilated rooms, often suffering from illness.'"

• Question: What evidence supports the claim that 19th-century factory conditions were harsh?

What is "Workers labored for 14 hours a day in poorly ventilated rooms, often suffering from illness"?

Is it an Argument

100

• Passage: "My favorite color is blue. I think it looks nice."

• Question: Does this passage present a clear argument?

What is "No"? (This is an opinion, not an argument.)

200

• Passage: "Students should wear uniforms because it reduces distractions and promotes a sense of unity."

• Question: Does this passage present a claim and reasons to support it?

What is "Yes"? (It presents a claim and reasons, therefore it is an argument)

300

• Passage: "The weather today is sunny and warm. Many people are outside enjoying the day."

• Question: Does this passage present a debatable claim?

What is "No"? (This is a statement of fact, not an argument.)

400

• Passage: "Video games can improve problem-solving skills. Studies show that players who engage in strategy games perform better on cognitive tests."   

  
  

• Question: Does this passage include evidence to support its claim?

What is "Yes"? (It mentions studies as evidence)

500

• Passage: "Dogs are better pets than cats. Dogs are more loyal, and they can be trained to perform tasks. Cats are independent and require less attention."   

  
  

  
  

• Question: Does this passage include a counterclaim and reasons to support it, along with the original claim and reasons?

What is "Yes"? (It provides an argument, and then acknowledges the opposing side.)