Basic Components of Argument Analyzing a Non-Fiction article or Essay

Basic Components of Argument The Claim typically answers the question What do I think? The reason typically answers the question Why do I think this? The evidence typically answers the question How do I know this is the case?

CLAIM example The legal age to drink alcohol should not be lowered.

Reason example A lower drinking age will increase youth alcohol consumption and alcohol-related traffic accidents.

Evidence example University of Minnesota epidemiologists Alexander Wagenaar and Traci Toomey reviewed 132 research studies published between 1960-1999 and concluded that the uniform national age of 21 law reduced both youth alcohol consumption and alcohol related traffic accidents.

Types of Evidence Statistical Evidence- Every time you use numbers to support a main point, you’re relying on statistical evidence to carry out your argument. For example- McDonald’s signs say, “Over 1 billion served.”

Types of Evidence Testimonial- The use of spokespersons to testify about the quality of a company’s product, lawyers who rely on eye-witness accounts to win a case, and students who quote an authority in their essays aer all using testimonial evidence.

Types of Evidence Anecdotal- Evidence that is based on a person’s observations of the world. Personal observations can serve as strong examples to Introduce a topic and build it up-just make sure you include statistical evidence so the reader of your paper doesn’t question whether your examples are just isolated incidents.

Types of Evidence Analogical- When you don’t have statistics to refer to or authorities on the matter to quote, you can use an analogy, or a comparison. For example, if you are trying to determine the value of a home, you could find the sale price of a similar home in the same area for comparison.

The Counterargument It is important to show that you understand the argument AGAINST your claim. The counterargument, also called the counter claim or the opposing view, can be introduced with words such as- “It’s true that…” “Admittedly…” “critics of my position say…”

The Rebuttal Immediately after acknowledging the counterargument, provide a rebuttal, or your answer to that argument to show that your reasoning is better. “But…” “Yet…” “However…” “Nevertheless…”