Argument: A text that uses reasonable claims and well researched evidence (instead of emotion) to convince someone of a possible truth.

Argumentation

Logos

Ethos

Pathos

Claims

Claim: A statement the writer establishes to be true, based on evidence.

EvidenceEvidence: •Examples•Data•Statistics•Observations•Expert opinions from the research or text that shows the claim to be true

Evidence will support either the primary claim, or a supporting claim, or both; this comes from sources (again, not emotion or opinion).

ReasoningReasoning: Explanation, commentary, warrants, or thinking where the writer shows how the evidence supports or proves the claim; this is your own thinking.

CounterclaimCounterclaim: A point of view that is different from the writer’s claim, but is also valid and deserves consideration.Example: Others may say that school needs to be earlier due to extra-curricular activities however most extra-curricular activities still require before school practices. Therefore if school started later we could have the extracurricular get together in the morning.

Other Term to KnowRebuttal- stating why the counterclaim is either wrong or is actually already happening with your claim.Always follow up a counterclaim with the rebuttal!

PracticeTopic: Household petsQuestion: Do rabbits make good pets?Claim: (the overall thesis the writer will argue for) Rabbits make good petsStated reason: (a “because” statement stating why your argument is valid)

Rabbits make good pets because they are gentle

PracticeEvidence: Rabbits are quiet; can learn near-perfect litterbox habits; are fun to watch; have different personalities; don’t need a yard if given plenty of indoor, sun-lit exercise space

More PracticeCounterclaim- some people think that rabbits make bad pets because they can bite and carry diseaseRebuttal: although rabbits can bite and carry desease, they are less likely to bit than cats or dogs and, in captivity, carry relatively few diseases.