1. THE ELEMENTS OF AN ARGUMENT

2. Objectives objectives understand elements of an argument (claim, support) analyze persuasive techniques (appeals by association, emotional appeals, loaded language)

3. Nonfiction Part 1: What Is an Argument? - a claim supported by reasons and evidence. In formal speaking and writing, an argument is not emotional. A claim is a writer’s position on a problem or an issue. A claim might be stated directly, as in this example: “Crunchy Puffs are an important part of a nutritious breakfast.” Sometimes a writer’s claim is implied, as in this slogan: “Juan for Student Council—Let the Good Times Roll.” The slogan suggests that if Juan is elected, everyone at school will have more fun. The strength of an argument depends not on the claim but on the support, or the reasons and evidence that are used to prove the claim. Evidence can take many forms, including facts, statistics, and

4. Nonfiction – Argument & Persuasion Examples of claims: Middle school students with jobs should set aside 20 percent of their earnings for college. If you like fashion, friends, and fun, you’ll love the Farley School of Design. Support - is information that helps prove a claim. It is what persuades readers to accept a writer’s claim. Besides facts, statistics, and examples, support may include anecdotes and quotations from ordinary people or from experts.

5. Nonfiction – Argument & Persuasion People aren’t only logical; they are emotional. Persuasive Techniques – methods intended to affect people’s feelings.

6. Nonfiction – Argument & Persuasion Persuasive Techniques: Appeals By Association 1. Bandwagon- Desire to belong “See what everyone is talking about” 2. Testimonial – Uses celebrities or satisfied customers to persuade. 3. Transfer – Connects a product to a positive image or idea.

7. Nonfiction – Argument & Persuasion Persuasive Techniques – Loaded Language: 1. Words with Positive Associations (all-natural) 2. Words with Negative Associations (tired, stale, dry)

8. Nonfiction – Argument & Persuasion Persuasive Techniques – Emotional Appeals: 1. Appeal to Pity – tap into compassion (ASPCA) 2. Appeal to Fear (ADT Home Security) 3. Appeal to Vanity – “Only the best drive …

9. Reading Strategy evaluate reasoning When you analyze an argument, it is important to look for fallacies, or errors in reasoning, like those explained below: An overgeneralization is a statement about a group of people or things that is much too broad to be true. “All teenagers love to listen to loud music” is an overgeneralization, because not all teenagers do. A single-cause fallacy suggests there is only one cause for something when there are actually several. “The only reason people go to the beach is to swim” is a single-cause fallacy. People might go to sunbathe or to hang out with friends

10. elements of nonfiction: argument An argument expresses a position on an issue or problem and provides support for that position. Strong arguments have the following elements: a claim, which is the writer’s main idea or position support, or reasons and evidence that back up the claim counterarguments, which are arguments made to address points that someone with an opposing view might raise. As you read, identify the elements in each argument.