Evaluate an Argument

What is a counterclaim?

A conflicting opinion the author acknowledges and responds to

What are rhetorical devices?

Appeals that persuade readers emotionally, morally, and intellectually

What is peer-reviewed?

Writing analyzed by experts in the field before publishing

What is a primary source?

A firsthand source created at the time in question

What is a secondary source?

A secondhand account of events

What is a tertiary source?

A compilation of primary and secondary sources

What is an argument in writing?

A claim on a debatable issue supported by reasoning, evidence, and appeals

What are the parts of an argument?

Claim, background info, reasoning and evidence, appeals, responses to counterclaims

What is a claim?

The author's position or opinion on a debatable topic

What are the steps to identify an argument?

Find the topic, find the claim, check for counterclaims

What is the effect of ignoring counterclaims?

It weakens the author's credibility

What is required to support a claim?

Reasoning and evidence from reputable sources

What is a compare-and-contrast reasoning structure?

Shows how two things are alike and different, then why one is better

What are forms of evidence?

Facts, statistics, and quotations

What are questions to ask when evaluating a source?

Author's credentials, peer-reviewed, and how current

What is the way to check a primary source?

Review the data in context in the original source

What is the way to check a secondary or tertiary source?

Read it yourself and see if the writer interpreted it correctly

What is relevant evidence?

Evidence closely aligned with the claim

What is a diversion strategy?

Using unrelated evidence to distract from weak support

What is sufficient evidence?

Enough evidence in scope to fully support the claim

What is the rule for bold claims?

Stronger claims require greater evidence

What is misleading evidence?

True evidence presented as if it applies more broadly than it does

What is the misleading part of "candy causes rotten teeth"?

The study only applied to children eating candy daily

What is the difference between rhetorical devices and evidence?

Devices frame information; they are not evidence

What is a personal anecdote used for in arguments?

To illustrate a point and create an emotional connection

What is an analogy?

A comparison showing how something unfamiliar is like something familiar

What is an appeal to crowd mentality?

Suggesting everyone agrees with a position

What is an appeal to logic?

Persuading with facts and data

What is an appeal to emotion?

Persuading by stirring strong feelings

What is an appeal to ethics?

Persuading through morals or the author's credibility/expertise

What is the key question about an author's use of rhetorical devices?

Is it to strengthen a point or to deceive?

Identify the Rhetorical Device:

What is this: "Everyone is switching to oat milk. Don't get left behind!"

Appeal to crowd mentality

Identify the Rhetorical Device:

What is this: "Studies show 80% of patients recovered faster with early walking."

Appeal to logic

Identify the Rhetorical Device:

What is this: "Imagine a child going to bed hungry tonight."

Appeal to emotion

Identify the Rhetorical Device:

What is this: "As a nurse with 20 years of experience, I recommend this."

Appeal to ethics (credibility)

Identify the Rhetorical Device:

What is this: "Learning anatomy is like learning a map of a new city."

Analogy

Identify the Rhetorical Device:

What is this: "When my grandmother fell, early care saved her life."

Personal anecdote

What type of source is a diary written during a war?

Primary

What type of source is a textbook chapter about the war?

Secondary

What type of source is an encyclopedia entry?

Tertiary

What type of source is an original research study?

Primary

What type of source is a news article analyzing a study?

Secondary

Claim or Counterclaim: What is this in an essay favoring plant-based milk: "Plant-based milks are better for the environment."

Claim

Claim or Counterclaim: What is this in an essay favoring plant-based milk: "Some argue cow's milk is better for the environment."

Counterclaim