Argumentative Essay Skills

What is an argumentative essay?

• an answer on something that has impacted you personally

• an essay that argues the writer's opinion on a matter

• an essay that tries to prove a point by supporting it with evidence

A claim made to dispute a previous claim is called a(n)...

• anti-claim

• refutable claim

• counterclaim

• independent claim

What is the purpose of a thesis statement?

• So your reader knows where you stand on an issue.

• So your reader knows how you intend to prove your claim.

• So your reader knows you have credible evidence.

• So your reader knows your rebuttal.

Textual evidence in an argument must be...

• relevant

• from an independent researcher

• vague

• made up

Formal language is

• A collection of random words without structure.
• Does not include slang, contractions, or poor grammar.

• Words that make you sound smart.

• Is not really important in academic writing.

The introduction of an essay should included:

• Attention Getter, Context, & Thesis.

• A short summary, Context, & Counterclaim.

• Attention Getter, Context, & Counter argument.

• A short summary. Author's name. Claim.

A writer would include the counterclaim to their argument to...

• recognize that their argument was wrong all along and they wasted time writing their essay in the first place
• make everyone's point of view seem included in their writing
• confuse their readers
• show that they recognize the other side of the argument, but then refute it and prove why they are right

Which of the following is a credible source?

• A blog post

• Information taken from Wikipedia

• A dated article that has the author's name

Which two of the following things are included in a conclusion paragraph?

• One last piece of text evidence

• A summary of the argument

• Something that extends your argument

• Something that leaves them confused by the topic

The introduction serves to capture the reader’s interest, provide background information, present your thesis statement, and (in longer essays) to summarize the structure of the body.

• True

• False