Claims/Counterclaims
What makes up a claim?
Your stance and your two reasons!
Why is it important to support your topic with relevant evidence?
Teacher decides.
Define "author's purpose" - give an example
Define "tone" - give an example
The author's purpose for writing their text (inform, persuade, entertain)
The author's attitude toward the text (inspiring, negative, neutral)
Does your claim in your introduction always have to have two reasons?
No
Using explicit information to draw conclusions and make guesses based on what is present.
Which of the following is the most effective way to introduce a claim in an argumentative essay about school uniforms?
a. "School uniforms are boring and should not exist."
b. "Some students like uniforms, but they’re unfair and restrictive."
c. "Requiring school uniforms promotes equality among students by reducing socioeconomic differences."
d. "Why would anyone want to wear uniforms to school?"
c. "Requiring school uniforms promotes equality among students by reducing socioeconomic differences."
Claim: "Schools should incorporate more outdoor learning experiences to improve student well-being."
Which of the following pieces of evidence best supports this claim?
a. "A survey found that students prefer shorter school days."
b. "Research shows that exposure to nature reduces stress and enhances concentration in children."
c. "Some schools have added more art classes to their curriculum."
d. "Most teachers believe that technology integration is the future of education."
b. "Research shows that exposure to nature reduces stress and enhances concentration in children."
Which of the following sentences demonstrates a formal writing style?
a. "You should totally check out this awesome book—it’s epic!"
b. "This book presents valuable insights into human history and culture."
c. "I think this book is kind of cool, but not the best."
d. "Lol, this book was the best read ever!"
"This book presents valuable insights into human history and culture."
Which concluding statement best supports an argument about the benefits of exercise?
a. "So yeah, exercise is good for you."
b. "Exercise helps improve physical and mental health, making it a crucial part of a healthy lifestyle."
c. "In conclusion, maybe try to exercise sometimes."
d. "That’s all I have to say about why exercise rocks!"
b. "Exercise helps improve physical and mental health, making it a crucial part of a healthy lifestyle."
Choose the sentence that uses two, too, and to correctly:
a. I went too the store two buy some milk and saw my friend their.
b. She wants two go too the movies, but I have too much homework.
c. He bought two tickets to the concert because he wanted his sister to come, too.
d. They are going too the park two play basketball, but it's too hot outside.
He bought two tickets to the concert because he wanted his sister to come, too.
Identify the statement that is not a claim:
a. "Mandatory school uniforms reduce bullying and create a sense of equality among students."
b. "Recycling programs should be implemented in schools to help reduce waste."
c. "Most students bring their own water bottles to school."
d. "Social media negatively affects teenagers’ mental health and should be limited."
Why?
"Most students bring their own water bottles to school."
Which sentence uses academic language appropriate for an argumentative essay?
a. "You know, climate change is bad and stuff, so we should fix it."
b. "There is evidence to suggest that reducing carbon emissions can significantly mitigate climate change effects."
c. "We gotta cut back on pollution, or things are gonna get worse."
d. "I feel like climate change is something we should totally be more serious about."
"There is evidence to suggest that reducing carbon emissions can significantly mitigate climate change effects."
Read the paragraph below and identify the implicit claim:
"In the last decade, the number of students enrolled in art programs has dropped significantly. Schools have prioritized core subjects such as math and science, often cutting funding for the arts. However, studies show that students involved in the arts perform better academically and develop critical thinking skills."
a. "Schools should continue focusing on core subjects like math and science."
b. "Art programs help students perform better academically and should receive more funding."
c. "Math and science are more important than art programs in schools."
d. "Funding for the arts has no impact on student success."
b. "Art programs help students perform better academically and should receive more funding.
Which concluding sentence best supports an essay about the dangers of excessive screen time?
a. "This proves that too much screen time is terrible for you."
b. "In conclusion, limiting screen time can enhance physical health, improve mental well-being, and strengthen personal relationships."
c. "So, yeah, people need to stop being on their phones all the time."
d. "These are the reasons why I think screen time is bad."
b. "In conclusion, limiting screen time can enhance physical health, improve mental well-being, and strengthen personal relationships."
The root "port" means "to carry." Which of the following words contains this root, and what does it mean?
a. Portable
b. Portent
c. Portfolio
d. Both a and c
a. Portable – able to be carried
c. Portfolio – a case for carrying papers
d. Both a and c
Which of the following is a strong counterclaim to the argument: "Homework should be banned in schools"?
a. "Homework is hard for some students to complete."
b. "Homework reinforces concepts taught in class and improves academic performance."
c. "Many students don’t like doing homework because it takes time away from sports."
d. "Teachers use homework to help students prepare for standardized tests."
"Homework reinforces concepts taught in class and improves academic performance."
Claim: "Recycling programs should be mandatory in all schools to reduce waste."
Which piece of evidence is the most relevant and credible?
a. "Many schools already have successful recycling programs that have reduced landfill contributions by 40%."
b. "Recycling is good because it helps the environment."
c. "Some students don't like recycling because it requires extra effort."
d. "A teacher stated that recycling bins take up too much space in classrooms."
a. "Many schools already have successful recycling programs that have reduced landfill contributions by 40%."
Choose the rebuttal for this counterclaim.
Counterclaim: "Requiring school uniforms restricts students’ ability to express themselves, which is an important part of their personal development."
a. "It’s true that students like to express themselves, but uniforms are more important."
b. "While some argue that uniforms limit self-expression, students can still express themselves through their behavior, achievements, and creativity. Furthermore, the benefits of reducing bullying and fostering equality outweigh this concern."
c. "Some students don’t care about self-expression, so uniforms are fine."
d. "Self-expression is overrated, and students should focus on academics instead of clothes."
b. "While some argue that uniforms limit self-expression, students can still express themselves through their behavior, achievements, and creativity. Furthermore, the benefits of reducing bullying and fostering equality outweigh this concern."
Prompt: A student is writing an argumentative essay with the claim, "Recycling programs should be mandatory in schools to reduce waste and protect the environment." Which of the following is the most effective introduction for this essay?
a. "Recycling is important because it helps the environment. Schools need to do more to encourage it."
b. "Schools play a key role in shaping habits that last a lifetime. By implementing mandatory recycling programs, schools can teach students to care for the planet while significantly reducing waste."
c. "Recycling is something everyone should do. It's good for the planet."
d. "Some schools have recycling programs, but others don't. This should change because recycling is important."
b. "Schools play a key role in shaping habits that last a lifetime. By implementing mandatory recycling programs, schools can teach students to care for the planet while significantly reducing waste."
Names the pieces of an argumentative essay.
Body 1
Body 2
CC/rebuttal
Conclusion - call to action
Counterclaims are also known as...
Opposing claims
Claim: "Video games can improve problem-solving skills in teenagers."
Which evidence should the writer exclude because it is least relevant?
a. "A study found that teens who played strategy-based games scored higher on problem-solving tests."
b. "Teenagers spend an average of 3 hours per day playing video games."
c. "Gamers often face complex challenges that require strategic thinking to win."
d. "Some parents believe that video games distract teenagers from homework."
d. "Some parents believe that video games distract teenagers from homework."
Create a rebuttal:
Claim: "Zoos are essential for protecting endangered species and educating the public about wildlife conservation."
Counterclaim: "Zoos confine animals to unnatural environments, often causing stress and preventing them from engaging in natural behaviors."
Rebuttal...
"While it is true that some zoos may restrict animals’ natural behaviors, modern, accredited zoos prioritize creating environments that closely mimic animals’ natural habitats.
Prompt: A student is finishing an essay about why electric vehicles (EVs) are a key solution to reducing carbon emissions. Which conclusion effectively reinforces the argument?
a. "In conclusion, electric vehicles are great. More people should buy them."
b. "As society faces the growing threat of climate change, transitioning to electric vehicles offers a practical and impactful solution. By choosing EVs, we reduce emissions, preserve the environment, and drive towards a more sustainable future."
c. "Electric vehicles are the best. Everyone should drive them to save the planet."
d. "In the end, electric vehicles might help the environment, but they are also expensive and have other issues."
b. "As society faces the growing threat of climate change, transitioning to electric vehicles offers a practical and impactful solution. By choosing EVs, we reduce emissions, preserve the environment, and drive towards a more sustainable future."
What should you look at when determining if a source is credible?
Author and credentials
Date of publication - how old is it?
Citations - did the author support their text with citations?