1. The Art of Argumentation

2. Issue – a subject that is not settled; topic
Issue – a subject that is not settled; topic. Issues are phrased as questions. (ie) Should texting while driving be illegal?
Argument – expresses a position on a problem and supports it with reasons and (textual) evidence; it takes into account other points of view, anticipating and answering objections that opponents may have
Claim – the writer’s position on an issue or problem; the thesis statement
Qualifier – a small but powerful word that limits or strengthens an argument’s reason; it should be present in each topic sentence
Subclaim – the reason(s) or the “because;” the topic sentence(s) of your body paragraph(s)

3. Textual Evidence – a specific piece of information that supports a claim: a fact, quotation, an example, a statistic, a personal experience
Analysis – a detailed examination of the elements or structure of a text, typically as a basis for (discussion or) interpretation
Elaboration – any information used to make claims convincing: examples, anecdotes, comparisons, definitions, descriptions
Opposition – someone who disagrees with your position (claim) on an issue
Counterclaim – an argument made to oppose an argument; it anticipates opposing viewpoints and provides evidence to disprove them
Refute – argues against the counterargument

4. Argument versus Persuasion
gives an account of both sides
appeals to a sense of reason
negotiate a common understanding
win agreement with a claim
Persuasion
one-sided
appeals to feelings and values
win support for an action
generally more aggressive than argument

5. Introduction Attention Grabber Claim Take a position on an issue
Descriptive scene or anecdote
Textual evidence with analysis
Background information,
based on the prompt topic
Claim
Take a position on an issue
*disclaimer: remember students should be using evidence from each of the texts they are asked to read, and not in corresponding order
Purpose: introduce issue and/or help persuade the reader of your position on the issue

6. Subclaim(s) = Reason(s)
Transitional phrase
Subclaim/reason: claim + reason, connected by ‘because’
Attribution phrase
Textual evidence with citation
one strong piece per paragraph
Analysis tag
Analysis and Elaboration
Connect textual evidence to subclaim/reason
Paraphrase (with citation) key details from the text that support the textual evidence and subclaim
Add a relevant personal anecdote or example to support subclaim

7. Subclaim(s) = Reason(s)
How many subclaims?
As many as needed
How many sentences?
6th grade: 6-8 sentences
7th grade: 8-10 sentences
8th grade: at least, 10 sentences

8. Counterclaim(s): 8th grade {fully developed paragraph}
Counterclaim sentence starter
Counterargument
Attribution phrase
Counterargument textual evidence with citation
one strong piece per paragraph
Refute transition
Refute (another subclaim reason)
Argues against counterclaim textual evidence with an additional reason that has not been used as a subclaim reason. Refute must be “backed up” with textual evidence.

9. Counterclaim(s) How many counterarguments? How many sentences?
As many as needed
But…less than the subclaims/reason
If the students have more counterarguments than subclaims/reasons, they should have chosen the opposite side
How many sentences?
6th grade: part of their subclaim paragraph
7th grade: 6-8 sentences
8th grade: 8-10 sentences

10. Conclusion Transitional phrase Reworded claim
‘Call to Action’ or ‘Urge to Acceptance’
Purpose: last opportunity to persuade the reader of your position, where you creatively and convincingly either ask the reader to take a specific action (call to action) or to accept your position (urge to acceptance).

11. “For the Sake of Argument”
Choose your words wisely…
(1) Tone with textual support
Be aware of persuasive language:
“should”
“we need”
“must”
“I believe,” “I think,” “In my opinion…”
(2) Rhetorical Appeals: logos, ethos, pathos

12. “For the Sake of Argument”
…Evaluate the words of other writers…
Rhetorical Appeals: logos, ethos, pathos
Ethos is an argument based on character
Appeals to the ethics of the writer
Establishes the credibility and expertise of the writer
Pathos is an argument based on the feelings
Uses loaded words to appeal to the reader’s emotion
Logos is an argument based on evidence, facts,
and reason
Appeals to the reader’s sense of logic using statistics, data, numbers, expert opinion