Elements of an Argument Claims, Reasons, Evidence & Counterclaims Young Scholars Circle. Copyright 2009-2017.

It’s a must! Readers read like a writer by identifying the elements of an argument to understand the point of view of the author in complex informational (argument) texts. Young Scholars Circle. Copyright 2009-2017.

EHS Reading Aspire Young Scholars Circle. Copyright 2009-2017.

Where do you see arguments? Essays Speeches Position Papers Editorials Advertisements Other informational texts Young Scholars Circle. Copyright 2009-2017.

Text Structure Possibilities Young Scholars Circle. Copyright 2009-2017.

Text Structure Possibilities Young Scholars Circle. Copyright 2009-2017.

Text Structure Possibilities Young Scholars Circle. Copyright 2009-2017.

Claims = What Author’s opinion that may be supported by different types of evidence Answers the question “What does he think?” Young Scholars Circle. Copyright 2009-2017.

Reasons = Why Author’s reasons why he thinks what he thinks? Answers the question “Why does he think it?” Another term for reasoned judgment It may be supported by valid or invalid facts It might be credible or not (fallacious) Young Scholars Circle. Copyright 2009-2017.

Evidence = How? Answers the question “How does he know this is the case?” Proofs It can be credible and logically sound (balance of ethos, pathos, logos) Young Scholars Circle. Copyright 2009-2017.

How do these look like? Young Scholars Circle. Copyright 2009-2017.

How do these look like? Young Scholars Circle. Copyright 2009-2017.

Counterclaims Also called counterargument Possible argument against your thesis or some aspect of your claims or reasons Strengthen your thesis, claims and reasons Young Scholars Circle. Copyright 2009-2017.

Counterclaims compromise rebuttal Young Scholars Circle. Copyright 2009-2017.

How do these look like? Young Scholars Circle. Copyright 2009-2017.

Where do you see counterclaims? Before the intro or the thesis A section of the paragraph A quick move within the paragraph A section before the conclusion Young Scholars Circle. Copyright 2009-2017.

Let’s practice! Identify the elements of an argument Thesis Claims Reasons Evidence Counterclaims Young Scholars Circle. Copyright 2009-2017.

Let’s practice! Young Scholars Circle. Copyright 2009-2017.

It’s your turn! Finish it… Young Scholars Circle. Copyright 2009-2017.