Practice with Elements of Argument

1. Claim/Assertion/Answer 1.Qualifier 2.Reason 2. Support/Textual Evidence 1.Reference to sources/Textual Citation, Facts, Statistics, Examples 2.Elaboration on that Support 3. Counter-Claims 1.Concession 2.Rebuttal 4. Conclusion (i.e. wrap-up, call to action, urge to do something or for acceptance)

1. Claim: the position being argued (topic sentence in a paragraph; thesis statement in an essay. What is the claim in the paragraph on page 156? Answer: Passengers should refuse to ride in any vehicle driven by someone who has been drinking. What type of claim is this (General, Qualified, or Reason)? Answer: General

Evidence/Support/Reasons: facts, examples, statistics, textual reference/citation, etc. Elaboration/explanation: Provides further info; additional facts or information; an expansion of what you chose to include. What is the first reason given? Answer: It could save lives What is the elaboration for this? Drunk driving causes 25,000 deaths, 50% of all accidents. What is the second reason given? It is not true that people drive well after a few drinks What is the elaboration for this? Even one drink can lengthen the reflex time and weaken judgment needed for safe driving.

What is the third reason given? Risking your life is foolish. What is the last reason provided? Refusing to ride with a drinker could influence other passengers or the driver. What elaboration is there? Marie Furillo—after she refused, two of her friends got out too.

Where does the writer address a counter- claim? Riders might tell themselves that some people drive well even after a few drinks, but this is just not true. Could there be another one? Other riders might feel foolish to ruin a social occasion or inconvenience themselves or others by speaking up, but risking their lives is even more foolish.

What is the conclusion to this paragraph? Until the laws are changed and a vast re-education takes place, the bloodshed in American highways will probably continue. But there is one thing that people can do: they can refuse to risk their lives for the sake of a party.

What are some of the transitions used in the paragraph on page 156? Presenting Evidence or Reasons When answering the opposition or counter When making conclusion another next first (second, third) importantly, lastly finally in addition likewise for example granted that of course on the other hand some may say while there are those others Consequently Hence Therefore Thus Until

1. Facts  Should be more logos (appeal to the readers mind) and less pathos (emotions)  Source of info should be clear to reader  Example: According to an article in The New York Times, 65% of adults regret not performing better in high school. 2. Referring to an Authority  Using an expert in your writing; provides unbiased facts and information  Example: Asking a pediatrician about the importance of vaccines for children.

3. Examples  Should relate to the argument  Should be typical enough to support it  Example: If you argue that the death penalty could potentially kill innocent people, you might say, “For example, in 1944, George Stinney, was electrocuted in South Carolina for murdering two white girls, and more than 70 years later, a judge overturned the conviction. 4. Predicting the consequence  Helps the reader to see what the outcome will be if something does or does not happen.  Example: If athletes are not held to the same academics standards as everyone else, then they will learn to believe that athleticism is more important than education.

 On a separate piece of paper, complete Practice #1 on page 160.  This is a formative grade