Unit 3 Terms

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