Parts of Argument

This disproves opposing ideas or claims that other people have made about the topic.  This means they are proven wrong.

• claim

• reason

• evidence

• reasoning

• counterargument

a statement that explains why your claim is true.  It tells WHY you believe the opinion you do.

• claim

• reason

• evidence

• reasoning

• counterargument

This part of an argument sometimes includes numbers and statistics.

• claim

• reason

• evidence

• reasoning

• counterargument

This part of an argument often contains the word “however” or “but.”

• claim

• reason

• evidence

• reasoning

• counterargument

This part of an argument sometimes contains results of a study or research.

• claim

• reason

• evidence

• reasoning

• counterargument

the statement of your position, or opinion, on an issue; what you want others to understand or agree with.

• claim

• reason

• evidence

• reasoning

• counterargument

This part of an argument sometimes contains expert opinions.

• claim

• reason

• evidence

• reasoning

• counterargument

This part of an argument often contains the word “should.”

• claim

• reason

• evidence

• reasoning

• counterargument

Which of the following describe a reason?

• a point that explains why you can take a certain position on a controversial issue

• proof that your point is true

• what the other side would argue

Which of the following is an example of a claim?

• While opponents say that fast food workers are mostly teens and do not need much pay, that is simply not true. Only 30% of fast food workers are teens.

• Fast food workers should be paid $15 per hour.

• Fast food workers need $15 per hour because, thanks to hard economic times, fast food work is their career.