The Architecture of the Argument
What is the formula for the thesis statement that clearly establishes a position and previews three main points?
Thesis Formula = Subject + Claim + Reason 1, Reason 2, and Reason 3.
Parallelism within your thesis formula should be evident by your ver usage.
Write a thesis statement on the following topic: The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health
While social media platforms offer ways to connect, they do more harm than good to teenagers' mental health by fostering unrealistic beauty standards, promoting constant comparison, and encouraging a fear of missing out (FOMO).
What are transition words used to show "Contrast" or a difference between two sources/ideas?
Contrast Words include: However, Conversely, Nevertheless, and On the other hand.
On GMAS multiple-choice questions, which types of "Extreme" words should students usually eliminate? (Based on Conversation History/Rubric)
Avoid "Extreme" distractors like Always, Never, Everyone, or Completely.
What is the term for matching verb endings (suffixes) in a list to create balance within a paragraph?
Parallel Structure (Parallelism): match verb forms (e.g., "learning, working, and thinking") to create "symmetry."
What is the formula for a sentence that starts a body paragraph and connects reasons back to the claim?
Topic Sentence = Transition word + Subject + Reason.
Write a thesis statement on the following topic:
School Start Times and Adolescent Health
Schools should start no earlier than 8:30 a.m. to align with adolescent biological sleep cycles, which will result in better mental health, increased alertness, and improved academic performance.
This is the specific part of an essay where you address the "other side" of the argument.
What is the Counter-Argument?
When asked which answer "best" summarizes or argues a point, which characteristic should students look for?
Look for Nuanced answers that use words like "to some extent" or "partially."
What narrative technique is used to "capture the audience" (e.g., "What happens to the human mind when we outsource our thinking?")?
(Narrative Device)—used strategically to engage a target audience.
Ex:
Anecdotes: a short personal story used to demonstrate a point or evoke empathy in the audience
Analogies: Comparing a complex or abstract issue to a simple, everyday scenario to make the argument easier to understand and more persuasive.
Personification: Giving human characteristics to abstract concepts (e.g., "The economic system turned its back on the poor") to add vivid detail.
What is the formula for a 4-paragraph essay?
4-paragraph essay =
Intro = Thesis
Body Paragraph #1: Reason #1 (CER), THEN Reason #2 (CER)
Body Paragraph #2: Reason #3 (CER), THEN Counterargument (CER)
Conclusion: Restate Thesis and Summarize
Write a thesis statement on the following topic:
The Importance of Extracurriculars: Are extracurricular activities as important as academic subjects?
Participation in extracurricular activities should be required because these activities teach time management, social skills, and resilience better than classroom-only learning.
After presenting the other side's point, you must provide this to prove your side is still stronger.
What is a Rebuttal?
When answering a grammar question about list correctness, what "check" should students perform?
The "Verb Match"—ensure every action in a list has the same suffix (parallelism) to create symmetry.
To earn a top score in Trait 3, students must use varied versions of this to consistently strengthen clarity and coherence.
Syntax (Sentence Structure): use varied lengths and styles to demonstrate an "adequate command" of language.
What is the term for integrating relevant and well-chosen evidence from multiple sources to create a new "insight"?
Synthesis—combining multiple sources to prove a position.
It's just a little riddle:
What breaks as soon as you say its name?
Silence
What transitions are used to show a relationship of "Result" or "Logic" between evidence and a claim?
Logic Starters include: Therefore, Consequently, As a result, and Thus.
When a test question asks which sentence is the most formal, look for the one that uses a Logic Starter and avoids this type of language.
What is informal/conversational (or "weak") language?
To score a "3" in Trait 2, you must make a consistent attempt to do this for every piece of evidence.
What is credit your sources?
What is the formula for a sentence that synthesizes two sources to address a counter-argument?
Synthesis Formula = (Source 1) + (Connection) + (Source 2) + (Nuance) + (Your Insight).
It's just a little riddle:
What has legs, but doesn't walk?
A Table
What are the phrases used to show complexity and avoid "extreme" language in an argument?
Nuance Anchors include: On balance, To some extent, On the whole, and Partially.
If a question asks for the "best evidence" to support a claim, the evidence must be both relevant and this.
What is well-chosen?
It's just a little riddle:
You see me once in June, twice in November, but not at all in May. What am I?
The letter "e"