Claims & thesis
True or False:
A claim is the main argument or position the writer is trying to prove
what is true?
True or False:
Evidence must relate directly to the claim being made.
What is true?
True or False:
A counterclaim presents a viewpoint that opposes the writer’s position.
What is true?
Which appeal uses emotion to persuade?
A) Logos
B) Ethos
C) Pathos
D) Commentary
What is C) Pathos?
True or False:
Academic writing promotes slang and overly casual language.
What is false?
Which thesis is more debatable?
A) Social media is used by teens.
B) Phones affect learning.
C) Schools should limit phone use to improve student focus.
D) Students use phones during class.
what is C) schools should limit phone use to improve student focus/ attention?
Which source provides the strongest evidence?
A) TikTok opinion videos
B) Research studies published by universities
C) Posts from social media influencers
D) Online comment threads
What is B)Research studies published by universities?
Which sentence introduces a counterclaim?
A) School uniforms limit expression.
B) Some believe school uniforms limit personal expression.
C) Uniforms and fashion conflict.
D) Students should not wear uniforms.
What is B) Some believe school uniforms limit personal expression.?
True or False:
Ethos persuades by showing the writer or speaker is trustworthy or knowledgeable.
What is True?
Which shows the most formal academic tone?
A) This rule is so unethical.
B) Everyone hates this rule.
C) This policy raises serious concerns.
D) This rule is annoying.
What is C) This policy raises serious concerns?
Fill in the blanks:
A strong thesis must express a clear ______ and offer main ______ that support it.
What is opinion; reasons
Fill in the blank:
When writers explain how evidence supports their claim, this explanation is called ______.
What is commentary?
Fill in the blanks:
A writer first presents a ______ and then uses a ______ to disprove it.
what is Counterclaim/ rebuttal?
Fill in the blank:
Using facts and logical reasoning to persuade is called ______.
What is Logos?
Fill in the blank:
The opening sentence structures to capture attention is called the ______.
What is Claim?
Although year-round schooling appears efficient, students report academic burnout and reduced motivation. Therefore, traditional school calendars better support consistent learning outcomes.
What is the author’s main claim?
A) Burnout affects students.
B) Learning should be consistent.
C) Traditional school calendars are better for students.
D) Year-round schools appear efficient.
What is C) Traditional school calendars are better for students?
A national sleep study found that teens who slept at least eight hours scored significantly higher on exams.
This sentence is best labeled as:
A) Claim
B) Evidence
C) analysis
D) Counterclaim
What is B) Evidence?
Critics say standardized tests fairly measure academic achievement. However, score patterns closely reflect income levels rather than learning growth.
What is the purpose of the second sentence?
A) Provide supporting evidence for the main claim
B) Present a personal opinion
C) Rebut the counterclaim
D) Introduce a new topic
What is C) Rebut the counterclaim?
As an education researcher who has studied teen development for 15 years, I have observed how screen time affects focus.
What appeal is mainly used?
What is Ethos?
Original:
This proves pollution is really bad.
Which re-worded sentence is strongest?
A) Pollution is a bad thing.
B) This shows pollution causes harm.
C) This evidence demonstrates pollution’s harmful effects on public health.
D) Pollution isn’t good.
What is C) This evidence demonstrates pollution's harmful effect on public health?
Because pollution harms low-income neighborhoods more severely than wealthy communities, government policy should focus on protecting at-risk populations rather than applying uniform environmental regulations.
Which option BEST identifies the author’s claim?
A) Pollution affects many communities.
B) Environmental rules should be uniform.
C) Policies should prioritize protecting vulnerable communities.
D) Low-income neighborhoods experience pollution.
What is C) Policies should prioritize protecting vulnerable communities?
Some argue that allowing phones in classrooms helps student research. However, multiple studies show phone access increases distraction and reduces test performance.
What rhetorical motive does the second sentence show?
A) Statement of a new claim
B) Presentation of a counterargument
C) Evidence used to challenge the counterclaim
D) Emotional appeal
What is C) Evidence used to challenge the counterclaim
Though some argue economic growth reduces inequality, recent data show income gaps remain high despite overall financial expansion.
The second half of the statement serves mainly to:
A) Appeal to emotion
B) Support the counterclaim
C) Refute the counterclaim using evidence
D) Shift the essay topic
What is C) Refuse the counterclaim using evidence
When polluted water forces parents to fear for their children’s health, the crisis becomes deeply personal.
Which appeal is primarily used?
What is Pathos
The author presents numeral statistic reports but never explains how they support the main argument.
Which revision would MOST improve the paragraph?
A) Add emotional language
B) Add commentary linking statistics to the claim
C) Delete the statistics
D) Simplify vocabulary
What is B) Add commentary linking statistics to the claim?