1. Argument Vocabulary

2. Argument/central idea = Argument Writing Thesis
An argument/central idea is where the author states what he/she believes (position/attitude/opinion) about the topic.
An argument/central idea is made up of the topic and the author’s opinion.
What is this author’s argument/central idea in this sentence?
Requiring PE uniforms at NW would be a disaster.

3. Find the argument
Anxiety creases the brows of many students trying to finish their homework on time. If they don’t finish on time they won’t get any credit. Having a no late homework rule is a very bad idea. Students’ grades will drop, their work will be of lesser quality, and school won’t feel as welcoming. Students won’t be able to do work worth a lot of merit.

4. Find the central idea
I think late homework should be accepted. Imagine you were a student sitting in your math class when your teacher says, “Okay, get out your homework!” You rustle around in your backpack for a while until you realize—oh no! You left your homework at home perfectly done. The teacher comes by your desk and you say, “I am sorry. I left my homework at home. My mom just had a baby, so I was taking care of her, and I just ran out the door without it.” Your teacher smiles at you. “It’s okay. I understand. Just bring it in tomorrow.” Isn’t that a better situation than “Oh, too bad! You don’t get any credit for it”?

5. Find the argument/central idea

6. Topic + Opinion = argument
On a piece of paper with your elbow buddy -
Write an argument/central idea for two of these topics:
Teaching with Puppets
Being a vegetarian
Having a scheduled snack break at school
Driving age
School vacations
Remember: topic and opinion in 1 sentence

7. CLAIM
Claim = support for the author’s argument/central idea, typically the focus of a supporting paragraph
Claims are often found in the topic sentence of a paragraph

8. Claims - The power of threes
Three is a powerful number in our culture.
Examples??
Having at least three claims for your argument/central idea is an important goal to strive for.

9. Claim - With your elbow buddy – on your same piece of paper
Write three claims for one of the arguments you wrote:
Teaching with Puppets
Being a vegetarian
Having a scheduled snack break at school
Driving age
School vacations

10. evidence If the claim is typically found in a topic sentence . . .
the EVIDENCE is the proof, like statistics, quotes, examples

11. reasoning
Reasoning = explanation of how the evidence proves the claim, which proves the argument!
Argument/Central Idea
Each CLAIM proves why the argument is true
Each EVIDENCE helps explain how the claim proves the argument
REASONING shows how the evidence explains the claim and proves the argument

12. reasoning
Reasoning = explanation of how the evidence proves the claim, which proves the argument!
Think of it this way:
Argument/Central Idea (thesis)
Each CLAIM proves why the argument is true (topic sentence)
Each EVIDENCE helps explain how the claim proves the argument (text evidence)
REASONING shows how the evidence explains the claim and proves the argument
(explanation)

13. Put it all together Claim – Evidence - reasoning

14. Evidence & reasoning The best evidence and reasoning is: Logical Sound
Valid
Credible