1. C LEAR J OHN L ANGAN © 2010 Townsend Press T HINKING AND W RITING

2. Chapter One: An Introduction to Point and Support To think and write clearly, you must understand the difference between point and support.

3. A point is an idea or an opinion. INTRODUCTION TO POINT AND SUPPORT

4. Support is the evidence that backs up an opinion. It is the specific examples, reasons, facts, or other details that prove the point. INTRODUCTION TO POINT AND SUPPORT

5. Peanuts: © United Feature Syndicate, Inc. What is Snoopy’s point in his paper? What is his support for his point? INTRODUCTION TO POINT AND SUPPORT

6. Peanuts: © United Feature Syndicate, Inc. Snoopy’s point is that dogs are superior to cats. But he offers no support whatsoever to back up his point. His evidence (“They just are, and that’s all there is to it!”) is a lot of empty words. Explanation INTRODUCTION TO POINT AND SUPPORT

7. To think and write effectively, you must provide real support for your points and opinions. INTRODUCTION TO POINT AND SUPPORT

8. What is the point of this cartoon? What is the support for the point? INTRODUCTION TO POINT AND SUPPORT

9. What is the point of this cartoon? What is the support for the point? The point is that “School was not going well.” The support is the specific list of low grades on the student’s grade report. INTRODUCTION TO POINT AND SUPPORT

10. What is the point of this cartoon? What is the support for the point? INTRODUCTION TO POINT AND SUPPORT

11. What is the point of this cartoon? What is the support for the point? “I’ve had a horrible day and I’m completely stressed out.” The support is the dog’s specific list of reasons for feeling stressed out (lost ball, warm water dish, broken squeaker). INTRODUCTION TO POINT AND SUPPORT

12. What is the point of this cartoon? What is the support for the point? INTRODUCTION TO POINT AND SUPPORT

13. What is the point of this cartoon? What is the support for the point? “Our marriage has problems.” The support is the three specific differences between the husband and wife. INTRODUCTION TO POINT AND SUPPORT

14. What is the point of this cartoon? What is the support for the point? INTRODUCTION TO POINT AND SUPPORT

15. What is the point of this cartoon? What is the support for the point? “It’s time for me to break up with Kenny.” The support is the speaker’s list of three specific reasons she should break up with Kenny. INTRODUCTION TO POINT AND SUPPORT

16. Remember: PointIdea or Opinion= Support =Evidence INTRODUCTION TO POINT AND SUPPORT