Building an Argument
A student writes, “Our school should adopt a four-day week.” They are asserting this.
What is a claim?
A former sneaker-company employee writes a glowing review of the brand’s newest shoe. Her personal opinions and values about the company may be influencing her judgment. Readers should watch for this.
What is (her) bias?
An AP Seminar student states their claims, presents corresponding pieces of logical evidence, and ends with the conclusion. This arrangement is called this.
What is (a/the) line of reasoning?
A speech was given to parents, meant to persuade, during a year of budget cuts. The audience, purpose, and background of a source together make up this.
What is (the) context?
A writer interviews eight coaches, notices that all of them stress the significance of recovery days, and concludes that athletes need rest. They are using this type of reasoning.
What is inductive (reasoning)?
A researcher reads 30 students’ reflection journal entries and describes the common themes in their own words. They are collecting this type of data.
What is qualitative?
“Everyone I know loves this app, so it must be the best one ever made.” This statement is a type of this.
What is a fallacy?
A conference speaker opens with the general proposition that community gardens strengthen neighborhoods, then supports it with three city case studies. They are using this type of reasoning.
What is deductive (reasoning)?
Before citing a blog, a student checks the author’s credentials and whether other sources confirm the information. The student is verifying this.
What is reliability?
Looking at a wildfire first through a historical type of this and then through an environmental one brings out different questions.
What is a lens?