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Argument
A process of reasoned inquiry; a persuasive discourse resulting in a coherent and considered movement from a claim to a conclusion
claim of fact
asserts that something is true or not true
ex: The number of suicides and homicides committed by teenagers most often young men has exploded in the last three decades
claim of policy
proposes a change
ex: yet once solution continues to elude us, and that is ending the ignorance about mental health, and moving it from the margins of care into the mainstream where it belongs
claim of value
argues that something is good or bad, right or wrong
ex: there is a plague on all our houses, and since it doesn’t announce itself with lumps or spots or protest marches, it has gone unremarked in the quiet suburbs and busy cities where it has been laying waste
first hand evidence
evidence based on something the writer knows whether it’s from personal experience, observations, or general knowledge of events
secondhand evidence
evidence that is accessed through research, reading, and investigation. It includes factual and historical information, expert opinion and quantitative data.
Open thesis
does not list all the points the writer intends to cover in an essay
ex: The popularity of the Harry Potter series demonstrates that simplicity trumps complexity when it comes to the taste of readers, both young and old
Close thesis
statement of the main idea of the argument that also previews the major points the writer intends to make
ex: three dimensional characters, exciting plot, and complex themes of the Harry Potter series make them not only legendary children’s books, but also enduring literary classics
counter argument
immediately addresses the counter argument
Note 
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