Argument Writing Choosing Evidence

What is the purpose of an argumentative essay?

• To persuade the reader

• To entertain the reader

• To tell an interesting story

• To give information about a topic

An academic argument is ____.

• a heated or angry exchange of opposite views

• a set of reasons, statements, or facts intended to support or establish a point of view

Your argumentative essay should include (select 3):

• Introduction

• Body Paragraphs

• Conclusion

• Setting

Once you choose a position/side, you should ________.

• develop an arguable claim/thesis

• develop an introduction

• outline your entire essay

A claim/thesis is _____.

• a source that is trustworthy and believable

• the writer’s or speaker’s position on a debatable issue or problem

• facts, statistics, numerical data, quotations, specific examples, and expert opinions that support a claim

Evidence is _____.

• a source that is trustworthy and believable

• the writer’s or speaker’s position on a debatable issue or problem

• facts, statistics, numerical data, quotations, specific examples, and expert opinions that support a claim

Relevant evidence is evidence that is _____.

• appropriate and logically related to the topic

• not connected with or relevant to the topic

Types of evidence you can use include ___, ____, and ____.

• quotations

• statistics and numbers

• expert opinions

• biased evidence

A credible source is _____.

• a source that is trustworthy and believable

• the writer’s or speaker’s position on a debatable issue or problem

• facts, statistics, numerical data, quotations, specific examples, and expert opinions that support a claim

____ are logical explanations that state why the author believes in his or her claim and why others should accept the claim

• Reasons

• Claims

• Facts