English argumentative essay

claims of facts

Assert something is true or not

Claims of value

argues something is good or bad, right or wrong, desireable or undesirable

Claims of policy

Proposing a change

Closed thesis

A statement of the main idea that previews major points. Limits the number of points an author can make.

Open thesis

A thesis that doesn’t list all of the points being made

Red herring

When a speaker skips to a new and irrelevant topic to avoid discussion of the previous topic

Ad hominem fallacy

Switching the argument from the topic at hadn to the character of the other speaker

Fault analogy

When two things aren’t comparable

Straw man fallacy

When a speaker chooses a poor example to ridicule or refute the opponent’s viewpoint

False dilemma

When a speaker presents two extreme options as the only possible choices

Equivocation

When the author intentionally misleads the audience with an ambigious meaning.

Hasty generalization

not enough evidence to suppoert a particular conclusion

Circular reasoning

Repeating the claim as a way to provide evidence

Induction

Arranging an argument so it leads particulars to universals

Deduction

Reaching a conclusion by starting with a general principle and applying it to a specific case

Rogerian Argument

Based on the principle that having a full understanding of the opposing side is essential to responding. Writer must show they and the opposition have common ground in order to reach an agreement.

Toulmin Model

Uncover the assumptions that underline arguments.

Introduction

Introduces reader to the subect at hand by drawing their interest, challenging them, or getting their attention.

Narration

Provides factual information on the subect at hand

Confirmation

The proof needed to make the writer’s case

Refutation

Addresing the counterargument and serves as a bridge between proof and conclusion

Conclusion

A paragraph taht brings the essay to close by answering the question: so what?