ClaimReasonsEvidence

CounterclaimCounterargument

Conclusion (so what?)

ClaimStatement the writer is trying to prove is true

Mom, I need a car.

ReasonStatement supporting

the claim, tells why

Because I have places to go that

you cannot take me.

EvidenceProof from a credible

source

ACT prep is at 4 when you’re at

work.

ExplanationExplains what the evidence proves

Since ACT prep is at 4, I’ll need a

car to drive myself.

So What? Why should they care

I know you want me to take ACT prep and improve my score, but I’ll need a car to do

that for you.

CounterclaimStatement opposing the claim, opposing argument

I know you think I could ride with friends,

Counterargument

Rebuttal to the counterclaim

But, none of my slacker friends are taking ACT Prep.

Restates claim, summarizes argument

Conclusion

I need a car so that I can I can take ACT Prep,

like you want me to.

not reasonsThe “rules” of academic argument exclude the following as support: • Because it is my personal opinion • Because my friends/relatives think so • Because most people think so • Because it’s always been, it’s tradition • Because it’s obvious • Because it’s morally right

evidence:Facts that support the reasons.

Statistical Evidence, dataTestimonial Evidence, expertAnecdotal Evidence, exampleAnalogical Evidence, analogy

Four types of

Transition Wordsbetween claim(s) and reasons

•because• for the (simple) reason that • being that• because (of the fact) • due to (the fact that)

Transition Wordsbetween reasons and evidence

• For instance,• For example,• As an example,• As an illustration,• Not only, but also…

• According to ____ (expert)

• According to the data,

• ____ proves that…

Transition Wordsbetween claim(s) and counterclaim

• Conversely

• Even though

•However

•Nevertheless

• On the other hand

• On the contrary

• Others think

• Others may say

• Some believe

• Critics argue that…. although….•While it may be true that… still all in all….• Others may say that… but I argue…•A common argument against this position is… but...•It may be true that…. however,…•It is easy to think that… but the facts suggest...•While some people say…. they fail to address….•It is often thought that… but in reality….

Transition Wordsfor counterclaims and counterarguments

O p i n i o n : A rg u m ent/ Arg uab l e c l a im :

Twinkies are delicious.

Twinkies taste better than other snack cakes because of their texture, creamy filling, and golden appearance.

I like dance music.

Dance music is popular for reasons that have nothing to do with the quality of the music; rather, the clear, fast beats respond to the need of young people to dance.

Virginia Woolf is better than James Joyce.

Virginia Woolf is a more effective writer than James Joyce because she does not rely on elaborate language devices that confuse and alienate the reader.

The governor is a bad man.

The governor has continually done the community a disservice by mishandling money, focusing on frivolous causes, and failing to listen to his constituents.

W.9-10.1Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.

1.A Introduce precise claim(s), distinguish the claim(s) from alternate or opposing claims, and create an organization that establishes clear relationships among claim(s), counterclaims, reasons, and evidence.

1.B Develop claim(s) and counterclaims fairly, supplying evidence for each while pointing out the strengths and limitations of both in a manner that anticipates the audience's knowledge level and concerns.

1.C Use words, phrases, and clauses to link the major sections of the text, create cohesion, and clarify the relationships between claim(s) and reasons, between reasons and evidence, and between claim(s) and counterclaims.

1.D Establish and maintain a formal style and objective tone while attending to the norms and conventions of the discipline in which they are writing.

1.E Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the argument presented.

ClaimReasonsEvidence

CounterclaimCounterargument

Conclusion (so what?)

ClaimStatement the writer is trying to prove is true

Mom, I need a car.

ReasonStatement supporting

the claim, tells why

Because I have places to go that

you cannot take me.

EvidenceProof from a credible

source

ACT prep is at 4 when you’re at

work.

ExplanationExplains what the evidence proves

Since ACT prep is at 4, I’ll need a

car to drive myself.

So What? Why should they care

I know you want me to take ACT prep and improve my score, but I’ll need a car to do

that for you.

CounterclaimStatement opposing the claim, opposing argument

I know you think I could ride with friends,

Counterargument

Rebuttal to the counterclaim

But, none of my slacker friends are taking ACT Prep.

Restates claim, summarizes argument

Conclusion

I need a car so that I can take ACT Prep, like

you want me to.

not reasonsThe “rules” of academic argument exclude the following as support: • Because it is my personal opinion • Because my friends/relatives think so • Because most people think so • Because it’s always been, it’s tradition • Because it’s obvious • Because it’s morally right

evidence:Facts that support the reasons.

Statistical Evidence, dataTestimonial Evidence, expertAnecdotal Evidence, exampleAnalogical Evidence, analogy

Four types of Transition Wordsbetween claim(s) and reasons

•because• for the (simple) reason that • being that• because (of the fact) • due to (the fact that)

Transition Wordsbetween reasons and evidence

• For instance,• For example,• As an example,• As an illustration,• Not only, but also…

• According to ____ (expert)

• According to the data,

• ____ proves that…

Transition Wordsbetween claim(s) and counterclaim

• Conversely

• Even though

•However

•Nevertheless

• On the other hand

• On the contrary

• Others think

• Others may say

• Some believe

• Critics argue that…. although….•While it may be true that… still all in all….• Others may say that… but I argue…•A common argument against this position is… but...•It may be true that…. however,…•It is easy to think that… but the facts suggest...•While some people say…. they fail to address….•It is often thought that… but in reality….

Transition Wordsfor counterclaims and counterarguments

ClaimReasonsEvidence

CounterclaimCounterargument

Conclusion (so what?)

Statement the writer is trying to establish

Mom, I need a car.

Statement supporting the claim. Answers WHY.

Because I have to improve my

ACT score.

Statement elaborating on the reason

Having a car would allow me to take an ACT prep.

Proof from a credible source (see types below).

Research at ACT.org shows a 1.5 point average increase in students who

took a prep course.

Statement elaborating on the evidence

My score would likely improve if I

took a prep course.

Statement connecting claim to the reader. Answers SO WHAT.

If I have a car to get to ACT Prep, my ACT score will go up, saving you money on college.

Statement opposing the claim (opposing argument)

I know you think that I could just ride

with a friend.

Statement refuting the counterclaim (“yeah, but”)

But, none of my slacker friends are taking ACT Prep.

Restatement of the claim and summary of

the argument.

I need a car so that I can take ACT Prepfor all of its benefits.