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Argument Terms
Term | Definition |
---|---|
Position | The central idea the author supports in their argument. |
Opposing viewpoint | A position that is the opposite of another position |
Claim | A statement that supports a position |
Evidence | Facts, statistics, and examples that show why a claim should be believed; evidence supports and "holds up" a claim |
Reasoning | The process of showing how your evidence connects to and supports your claim |
Counterclaim | An acknowledgement of a concern or disagreement from those with opposing viewpoints |
Rebuttal | An author's direct response to an opposing viewpoint or claim (the "comeback" to a counterclaim) |
Argument | A position or viewpoint along with the claims and evidence used to support that position |
Relevant | Having to do with the matter being considered; important and connected. When writers use claim or evidence that is irrelevant, or not relevant, weaken their argument. |
Sufficient | Enough; adequate. if writers don't provide sufficient evidence and reasoning to support the claim, they weaken their argument |
Tracing an argument | Identifying and exploring how an argument is made in an essay, a speech, or other text |
Evaluate | To judge or calculate the quality of something |
Rebut | To try to prove a statement, position, or claim is wrong or false |
Refute | To prove a statement, position, or claim is wrong or false |
Fallacy | A false or mistaken belief or claim, usually based on poor reasoning |
Ad hominem attack | An attack on a person rather than on his or her argument. An ad hominem attack is fallacy and weakens an argument |
Emotional appeal | Writers rely on two mean of persuasion: appealing to the reader's common sense and appealing to the reader's emotions. When writers use only emotional appeals, they do not provide facts or information to convince the reader to believe them. Instead, they |