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Argument
Making a claim and supporting it using logic
Counterclaim/argument
Challenging the position of the opposition
Refutation
Demonstrating why the counter-argument is wrong
Ethos
Evidence from experts on the subject
- Established through subject matter knowledge (be an EXPERT on your subject)
Audience
The people who will read your writing
- Who do you want to read your writing?
- Who did the author want to read his/her writing?
Diction
The author's choice of words
- What words will you use to convey your tone?
- What words will help you deliver the best message you can?
- What words did the author specifically choose to convey his/her tone?
- What words helped the author deliver a strong message?
Subject
The topic that the writing is mostly about
Pathos
Feelings/emotions to persuade the audience
- Included in an argumentative essay, but the author relies more on evidence than emotional appeal
Author
The person who wrote and/or presented the piece (also known as a speaker)
Evidence
Facts that support your claim
Tone
The author's attitude toward the subject
- How do you feel about the subject you are writing about?
- What is your attitude toward the subject?
- How does the author feel about his/her subject?
- What is the author's attitude toward the subject?
Logos
Logic and rational reasoning
- Established through relevant and sufficient reasoning and evidence
Claim
The position that you are trying to get your readers to accept
Persuasion
Making a claim and supporting it using feeling and emotion
Warrant
Statement that explains how the evidence supports and connects to the claim; explanation
Context
The political, social, and/or historical, etc. climate during the time the piece was written
Purpose
The reason why you are writing
- Why are you writing this piece?
- What are you trying to achieve?
- Why did the author write this piece?
- What was the author trying to achieve?