1. Mrs. Snyder
Argument

2. Argument- What is it?
Argument is taking a position, or claim, on a subject you are discussing and support that position with evidence.

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

4. Claim- What do I think?
Example: The legal drinking age should not be lowered.

5. Reason- Why do I think this?
Example: A lower drinking age will increase youth alcohol consumption and alcohol-related traffic accidents.

6. Evidence- How do I know this is the case?
Example: University of Minnesota epidemiologists Alexander Wagenaar and Traci Toomey reviewed 132 research studies published between 1960 and 1999 and concluded that the uniform national age-21 law reduced both youth alcohol consumption and alcohol-related traffic accidents.

7. Evidence
In order to support your argument, you must provide evidence. It’s important that you use the right kind of evidence, that you use it effectively, and that you have an appropriate amount of it. There are 4 types of evidence that you may use:

8. Statistical Evidence
Every time you use numbers to support a main point, you’re relying on statistical evidence to carry your argument.
Example: The McDonald’s sign says “Over 1 Billion Served”
Example: The Trident chewing gum commercials says “ 4 out of 5 dentists recommend chewing sugarless gum”

9. Testimonial Evidence
The use of spokespersons to testify about the quality of a company’s product, lawyers who rely on eyewitness accounts to win a case, and students who quote an expert in their essays are all using testimonial evidence.

10. Anecdotal Evidence
This is evidence 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.

11. Analogical Evidence
When you don’t have statistics to refer to or experts on the matter to quote, you can use an analogy, or comparison.
Example: If you were trying to determine the value of a home, you could find the sale price of a similar home in the same area for comparison.

12. The Counterargument
There will be an argument against yours, and it is important to show that you understand the argument against your claim.
This is called the counterargument, or the argument against yours.
This can also be called the counter-claim or the opposing view.

13. The Counterargument
The counterargument can be introduced with words and phrases, such as:
“It’s true that…”
Admittedly…”
Critics of my position say…”

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

15. Review How do you formulate an argument?
What is the opposing view called?
What must you provide when someone argues against your claim?