Definitions & Concepts
True or False: All arguments contain a claim.
True; all arguments have an opinion
Provide a claim for the following topic: students paying for broken school-issued Chromebooks.
Answers will vary: As long as it's an opinion about the topic!
True or False: Evidence has to contain numbers.
False; Not all evidence is numerical evidence
In your own words, describe what an argument is.
Answers will vary.
In your own words, describe what a claim is...
An opinion
Identify the claim in the following passage:
When students arrive to school, they are expected to have lined paper, their Chromebook, and a pencil. What happens when they don't have all these materials? Well, teachers end up having to deal with unprepared students. It is students' responsibility to be prepared for class, regardless of what their excuse may be.
Correct Answer: It is students' responsibility to be prepared for class, regardless of what their excuse may be.
In your own words, describe why it is important to use evidence to support claims.
Possible Answers:
to be more convincing
to make a strong argument.
True or False: Arguments are facts and contain no opinions whatsoever.
Correct Answer: False
Is it acceptable for an argument to have no evidence to support it?
Nope; arguments always need to be supported with evidence!
Which of the following is not a claim?
- NSS has a dress code.
- The dress code at NSS is too strict.
- The dress code at NSS is unfair.
Correct Answer: NSS has a dress code.
Claims are basically just _______________.
Correct Answer: Someone's opinion!
Is the following conversation an argument?
"Hi, I'm Ms. Salazar."
"Hey Ms. Salazar, I'm Ryan Reynolds."
"Dude what? I know...you're my boyfriend."
Correct answer: No, this is not an argument. There is no opinion!
Possible answers: Anything! As long as it's related to the topic and states an opinion
Which of these claims would a teacher most likely say?
- "School is such a waste of time."
- " You have an F... don't bother coming to school."
- "School teaches both academic and life skills."
- "Students receive report cards at the end of each quarter."
Correct Answer: "School teaches both academic and life skills."
Claims must have ___________ to support them.
Correct Answer: Evidence!
Identify this author's argument.
Compared to LA, Bakersfield has no beaches, no hiking trails, and no fun museums. LA has a ton of stuff to do, but Bakersfield is the complete opposite. All we can do really is go out to eat, go shopping, or go see a movie...I have to get out of here!
Possible Answer: Compared to LA, Bakersfield is not a great city because there is nothing to do there.
Is a claim and an argument the same thing?
A claim is someone's opinion. An argument is a claim supported by evidence and reasons.
Identify the claim in the following statement:
Cheddar Ball is the best cat in the entire world because he is very fluffy, loves to snuggle, and is very playful.
Correct Answer: Cheddar Ball is the best cat in the entire world.
Which piece of evidence best supports the claim "Pineapple does belong on pizza."?
- My mom gets pineapple on pizza and thinks it's delicious!
- Pineapple is a food, meaning anyone can eat it whenever they'd like and how they'd like.
-Fruit does not belong on pizza.
Correct Answer: Pineapple is a food, meaning anyone can eat it whenever they'd like and how they'd like.
Is an author's argument always going to be stated as a direct claim (sentence) in the passage?
Correct Answer: No...sometimes you have to "dig" for the author's argument. It's not always going to be a single sentence in the paragraph that you can point to.