1. Argument Analyzing
RI.11.2 Analyze and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, assessing whether the reasoning is sound and the evidence is relevant and sufficient; recognize when irrelevant evidence is introduced.

2. Key Terms:
Argument- a text that expresses an author’s position on a topic and includes explanations to support why their position is correct.
Claim- The author’s opinion or position about a topic.
Ex: A dog is the best pet a person can own.
Reasons- Explanations that help support the claim.
Ex: Dogs can bond with their owners.
Evidence/proof- Facts, data, or observations that support the reason. It is best to support evidence with proof from an expert, research, or statistics.
Ex: They bond with humans the same way humans bond with each other through extended eye contact. According to Tia Ghose, senior writer for Livescience.com,  dogs “may have gotten its prized place in human hearts by tapping into an ancient human bonding pathway”.

3. More key terms
Counter-claim- a claim that disagrees with the original claim.
Ex: Cats are the best pet a person can own.
Rebuttal- Evidence that proves the counter-claim wrong.
Ex: Cats are not better than dogs because a cat cannot bond with a human the way a dog can.

4. Analyze the Argument
What is the author’s argument? Hip hop should be included in the literature curriculum. What is the author’s reason given in paragraph 2? It’s another form of poetry. What are the two strongest pieces of evidence? It has rhyme scheme, rhythm, and meter. The themes are timeless.

5. A Good Argumentative Essay Includes:
Many relevant pieces evidence from multiple credible sources to support the claim. Acknowledgement of the counter-claim (also known as an opposing claim). The strongest reason to support the claim given to the reader last. Citations that let the reader know where the evidence came from. Writing that is formal with a tone that is objective. An objective tone is one that is not emotionally charged. If the author is too emotional, they will be seen as biased and not reliable. It is important that the essay is free of errors. An essay with errors takes away from the credibility of the author.