Elements of Argument

What is a claim?

• A statement about what a person or group thinks to be true

• a statement that is able to be proven true by direct experience or verified research

• a direct, specific, and arguable statement that a writer/speaker is trying to prove

• an explanation of evidence

What is a counterclaim?

• A statement that disagrees with a claim by providing alternate evidence and reasoning

• A selective use of evidence to support one's own beliefs or opinions

• A direct, specific, and arguable statement that a writer/speaker attempts to prove

• A statement that is able to be proven true by direct experience or verified research

What is a fact?

• An explanation of how evidence supports a claim

• A statement about what a person or group thinks to be true

• A statement that disagrees with a claim

• A statement that can be proven true by direct experience or verified research

What is reasoning?

• An explanation of how the evidence supports the claim

• Evidence that is used to support the claim

• What a speaker is arguing

• When a speaker only uses evidence that they want to be true

What is an opinion?

• Strong evidence that should be used in an argument whenever possible

• A statement that is and can be proven true

• A statement about what a person/group thinks to be true

• Something that a person uses to convince their audience

What is confirmation bias?

• When you effectively defend your argument

• When you use verified facts to support your argument

• A person's opinion

• A focus on evidence that supports what we want to be true

Select the examples of strong evidence.

• Factual information or expert opinion

• Personal opinions

• Information that is biased or incomplete

• Information that is backed by specific details from the text(s)

Select the examples of weak evidence.

• Evidence that is not related to the claim

• Uncited sources

• Data or information that is verified

• Research from trusted organizations

The rhetorical appeal of ethos is...

• based on logic and reasoning

• based on morals and ethics

• based on emotions and feelings

The rhetorical appeal of logos is...

• based on logic and reasoning

• based on morals and ethics

• based on emotions and feelings