Argument Vocabulary

An author or speaker’s main point about an issue in an argument

• Central Claim
• Evidence
• Valid
• Credible
• Counterclaim

Supports the points/ reasons and gives proof to the claim with factual information

• Evidence
• Central Claim
• Valid
• Credible
• Counterclaim

To make sense and be logical

• Valid
• Central Claim
• Evidence
• Credible
• Counterclaim

To be trustworthy

• Credible
• Central Claim
• Evidence
• Valid
• Counterclaim

A solid and reasonable argument that opposes or disagrees with your claim.

• Counterclaim
• Central Claim
• Evidence
• Valid
• Credible

A response to the counterclaim. The object is to take into account the ideas presented in the counterclaim and explain why they aren't persuasive enough, valid enough, or important enough to outweigh your own claim.

• Rebuttal
• Central Claim
• Evidence
• Valid
• Credible

To argue against a position or prove it to be wrong

• Refute
• Central Claim
• Evidence
• Valid
• Credible

A stance in which you agree- in part- with another person's argument or position, but you also disagree with part of it.

• Qualify
• Central Claim
• Evidence
• Valid
• Credible

The art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing

• Rhetoric
• Central Claim
• Evidence
• Valid
• Credible

An appeal to ethics. It is a means of convincing someone of the character or credibility of the persuader.

• Ethos
• Central Claim
• Evidence
• Valid
• Credible