Author's Purpose
Sourcing
Claim Statements
100

What do each of the letters of P.I.P.E. stand for? 

Purpose
Inform
Praise
Entertain

100

Look at this source:
Vega, Bernardo. Memoirs of Bernardo Vega. Monthly Review Press, 1977. Puerto Migration to the United States.

Who is the author of this source? 

Bernardo Vega

100

The most important quality of a statement you use as a claim in an argumentative essay is that it must be:

A. An opinion that can be supported by reasons and evidence. 

B. A statement that is absolutely 100% true and cannot be questioned. 

C. A famous quote. 

D. A question that makes the reader think deeply. 

A. An opinion that can be supported by reasons and evidence. 

200

A local newspaper editorial argues that the city should build a new skate park because it will give teens a safe place to go after school. What is the author's primary purpose?

Persuade

200

Look at this source information:
Ueland, A. (1929) Recollections of an Immigrant. New York, Minton, Balch & Company. [Pdf] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/29001450/.

Who created this source? 

A. Ueland

200

Which of the following statements is too broad and unfocused to be a good claim for a short argumentative essay?

A. Schools should not assign homework on weekends. 

B. Watching television is bad for kids. 

C. Middle school students should be allowed to use phones during lunch periods. 

D. Students must eat breakfast every morning to improve their test scores. 

B. Watching television is bad for kids. 

300

Which of the following texts has the primary author's purpose to entertain? 

A. A fictional graphic novel about a brave alien who plays soccer.

B. A biography of a famous historical person. 

C. A book review that encourages people to see a new movie. 

D. A how-to guide for baking cookies. 


A. A fictional graphic novel about a brave alien who plays soccer.


300

Look at this source information:
Ueland, A. (1929) Recollections of an Immigrant. New York, Minton, Balch & Company. [Pdf] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/29001450/.

When was this source created?

1929

300

When you are brainstorming a claim, you should avoid statements based only on personal preference (like 'I hate broccoli') because they: 

A. Are usually too formal for a 6th-grade essay. 

B. Do not have evidence or reasons that apply to everyone.

C. Are facts that cannot be argued against. 

D. Can only be proven using an opinion poll. 

B. Do not have evidence or reasons that apply to everyone.

400

An advertisement for a new brand of running shoes uses bright colors, a catchy song, and shows a famous athlete wearing them. What is the author's purpose? 

Persaude

400

Look at this source information:
Ueland, A. (1929) Recollections of an Immigrant. New York, Minton, Balch & Company. [Pdf] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/29001450/.

Would this be a primary or secondary source? 

Primary

400

Which claim is the most specific and clear, making it the strongest to develop?

A. Zoos are bad for animals, so they should all be closed.

B. It is fun to watch birds fly. 

C. We should be nice to pets. 

D. Animals are important. 

A. Zoos are bad for animals, so they should all be closed.

500

What is the author's purpose of Thomas Jefferson, writer of the U.S. Constitution? 

To inform

500

An interview with a veteran of a war would be considered a primary source. 

What would a Youtube video of an interview with a veteran be? 

Secondary

500

A strong claim often includes the main reason why the author believes their position. Why is this important when developing your claim? 

A. It immediately tells the reader the argument's focus and what type of evidence to expect.

B. It keeps the claim short so the reader doesn't get confused. 

C. It is a rule that only applies to claims about school policies. 

D. It makes the claim impossible for anyone else to argue against. 

A. It immediately tells the reader the argument's focus and what type of evidence to expect.