Argument Writing Terms

What is the writer's position, opinion, or side called?

• Counterargument

• Reason

• Claim

• Evidence

What is an example of a formal claim?

• Space is cool

• We should explore space.

• Space medicine can help the suffering children.

• We need help going to space.

What does it mean to give a reason in argument writing?

• Give a statement to support or back up the claim.

• Relate the claim to real life.

• Cite text evidence.

• Make stuff up to add length to your essay.

Which of the following are examples of reasons that back up the claim that we should explore space?

• We should make space travel a priority regardless of the cost.

• The cost of space travel doesn't hurt the US economy.

• Some people say that NASA gets too much money.

• We only give 1% of the US budget to NASA.

What does it mean to cite text evidence?

• We need to cite evidence?????

• Make up facts that sound legit.

• Copy down most of what the author said in an article and call it your own.

• Use a direct quote or paraphrase a quote from a resource to support your reasons.

Which of these options is an example of a direct quote citation?

• Thomas Jones often says, "only a human can experience what being in space feels like, and only a human can communicate this to others."

• We should explore space.

• Is there a price to inspiration and creativity?

• Space exploration is not a drain on the economy.

What is an example of a counterclaim?

• Some people say that we shouldn't go to space because it won't benefit us here on earth.

• Some mistakenly believe that going to space was all about competition.

• We should send monkeys to space.

• Why can't we be better than the Russians??

High school students should have physical education every school day in order to stay healthy.

• Claim

• Not a claim

Private schools often require students to wear uniforms.

• Claim

• Not a claim

We should allow students to vote at the age of 16.

• Claim

• Not a claim