The Basics
Introduce precise, knowledgeable claim(s), establish the significance of the claim(s), distinguish the claim(s) from alternate or opposing claims, and create an organization that logically sequences claim(s), counterclaims, reasons, and evidence. Develop claim(s) and counterclaims fairly and thoroughly, supplying the most relevant evidence for each while pointing out the strengths and limitations of both in a manner that anticipates the audience’s knowledge level, concerns, values, and possible biases.
CLAIMS MUST BE: Arguable A complete sentence Specific
1. Fact or Definition 2. Value 3. Policy
These claims argue about what the definition of something is or whether something is a settled fact. EXAMPLES: Women are as effective as men in combat. The ozone layer is becoming depleted. Increasing population threatens the environment. Bigfoot exists in remote areas. Men need women to civilize them.
These are claims made about what something is worth, whether we value it or not, how we would rate or categorize something EXAMPLES: Public school are better than private schools Science Fiction novels are more interesting to read than romance novels Dogs make the best pets Mercy Killing is immoral Computers are a valuable addition to modern society Viewing television is a wasteful activity
These are claims that argue for or against a certain solution or policy approach to a problem. EXAMPLES We should stop spending so much on prisons and start spending more on education Children in low-income families should receive medical insurance from the government Social security should be distributed on the basis of need rather than as an entitlement
CPS should institute a later start to the school day because teenagers need to sleep past 8 a.m. Chicago is the friendliest city this side of the Mississippi River. Eating ice cream every day can have detrimental effects on your health.
A digital divide (inequitable access to technology) between students from wealthier school districts and students from poorer ones has added to the problem of educational success among students from the lower socioeconomic classes and students from ethnic minorities.
Last summer, a suburban school district in New York advertised for 35 new teachers and received nearly 800 applicants. District officials decided to narrow the pool by requiring applicants to take the 11th-grade state examination in English. Only about ¼ of the would-be teachers answered 40 of the 50 multiple-choice questions correctly. As Congress considers reauthorization of the Higher Education Act, teacher education has emerged as a major issue. Many states are clamoring to reduce class size, but few are grappling with the most important questions: If we are raising standards for students, don’t we also need to raise standards for teachers? Shouldn’t state and local officials make sure that teachers know whatever they are supposed to teach students?
All strong arguments consist of arguable claims, strong reasons, and ample evidence.
Reasons are arguments in support of your claim. They tell WHY you think what you think EXAMPLE: CLAIM: Public school are better than private schools. REASONS: Public schools have stricter graduation requirements than private schools. Public schools require more training for their teachers than private schools.
Writers use specific details, examples, and facts to support their reasons. EXAMPLE CLAIM: Public schools are better than private schools. REASON 1: Public schools have stricter graduation requirements than private schools. REASON 2: Public schools require more training for their teachers than private schools. EVIDENCE 1: Public schools require 4 years of English while private schools only require 2. EVIDENCE 2: Public school teachers must have a degree in education; whereas, private school teachers only need a bachelor’s degree regardless of the subject area it was earned in.
Can come from: Your reading, experiences, and observations Pop culture, history, human nature, music, etc.
The Basics