Organization of an Argument

TERMS TO UNDERSTAND Argument Claim Reason Evidence Counterclaim

ARGUMENT An attempt to persuade someone to a way of thinking by using logic and evidence to support you.

ARGUMENT vs. PERSUASION

CLAIM Something stated to be true Example Usually something that can be disputed Example Students should wear school uniforms.

REASON Why your claim is true Example Claim: Students should wear school uniforms. Reasons: Students would get ready faster in the morning. No one would get teased for their clothes. Parents save money on school clothes.

THESIS STATEMENT (Magic 3) Includes a claim and the reasons that support your claim Outlines the topics you will cover in your essay Example Students should wear school uniforms because students would get ready faster in the morning, no one would get teased for their clothes, and parents will save money on school clothes.

INTRODUCTION Your thesis statement is the most important part of the first paragraph of your essay. This paragraph is called the INTRODUCTION.

EVIDENCE The data/information that proves your claim to be true. This includes: Quotes Statistics Facts Stories Examples Students would be able to get ready for school faster if they wore school uniforms. According to a education study by IMTU Inc., students spend an average of 8 minutes deciding what to wear to school. Already knowing what to wear, the same students could use those eight minutes for extra sleep or a balanced breakfast.

COUNTERCLAIMS Opinions and evidence that others may bring up against your argument. Your claim: I should be able to go to the movies this weekend with my friends. Counterclaim (from your parents): You need to have all your chores done and finish your homework this weekend.

CONCLUSION A summary of your main points, or a restatement of your thesis in different words Ask a question that doesn’t have an easy answer Offer a solution Call for some sort of action End with a warning Suggest results or consequences

ARGUMENT OUTLINE 1. INTRODUCTION 2. Body Paragraph 1 Includes Claim  Thesis Statement 2. Body Paragraph 1 Includes your 1st reason and evidence to support it 3. Body Paragraph 2 Includes your 2nd reason and evidence to support it 4. Body Paragraph 3 Includes your 3rd reason and evidence to support it 5. CONCLUSION