Argumentative Writing Structure
What are the three main parts of an argumentative essay?
What are the introduction, body, and conclusion?
What is a claim in argumentative writing?
What is a statement or main idea that expresses the writer’s position or argument on a topic?
True or False: You should always ignore counterarguments in your essay.
False
True or False: A rebuttal should dismiss the counterargument without explanation.
What is false?
What is the purpose of persuasive language in argument writing?
What is to convince the audience to agree with your point of view?
What is the purpose of the introduction in an argumentative essay?
What is to present the topic, provide background information, and state the thesis or main argument
True or False: A claim should always be supported by evidence.
True
What is the purpose of including a counterargument in your essay?
What is to show that you have considered other viewpoints and to strengthen your argument by addressing them?
Define a rebuttal
What is a response to a counterargument that explains why it is flawed or less valid compared to your argument?
Which persuasive technique is being used here? "If we don't act now to reduce pollution, future generations will suffer greatly."
What is an appeal to emotion?
What should each body paragraph in an argumentative essay include?
What is a topic sentence, evidence to support the claim, and an explanation of how the evidence supports the argument.
Rewrite this vague claim into a stronger one: "Schools should improve."
What is "Schools should increase funding for extracurricular programs to enhance student engagement and academic performance"?
What’s the difference between a counterargument and a rebuttal?
What is a counterargument presents an opposing viewpoint, while a rebuttal explains why that opposing viewpoint is flawed or less valid
Fill in the blank: A strong rebuttal acknowledges the counterargument but highlights its _____ or weaknesses.
What is flaws?
Name two rhetorical devices you can use in persuasive writing.
What is repetition and rhetorical questions?
What is the role of the conclusion in an argumentative essay?
What is to readdress the thesis in light of the evidence provided and leave the reader with a strong final impression?
How can you determine if evidence is strong enough to support a claim?
What is by checking if the evidence is relevant, credible, specific, and directly tied to the claim
When presenting a counterargument, what should you include to make it more compelling?
What is factual evidence or statistics that support the opposing viewpoint?
Rewrite this weak rebuttal into a stronger one: "Some people say homework is good, but I don’t think so."
"While some argue that homework helps students practice skills, research shows that excessive homework causes stress and limits family time, making it less effective overall"
Rewrite this sentence to make it more persuasive: "Recycling is good for the environment."
What is "Recycling is essential to protect our planet and ensure a sustainable future"?
What is a thesis statement?
What is a sentence that clearly expresses the main point or argument of your essay?
Why is it important to provide evidence for your claims?
What is because evidence helps to support your argument and makes it more convincing to the reader?
Why might a writer choose not to address a particular counterargument?
What is because the counterargument is weak, irrelevant, or not widely recognized, thus not adding value to the overall argument?
How can using evidence in your rebuttal enhance its effectiveness?
By providing factual support that strengthens your argument and demonstrates the weaknesses in the counterargument.
What is the term for using ethos, pathos, and logos in persuasive writing?
What is rhetorical appeals?