AP Lang Argument Vocab and Terms

What are the 5 kinds of arguments?

Causal, Fact, Proposal, Definition, Evaluation

Argument of Fact Purpose?

To prove something happened/is happening. They also address broad questions about how we understand the past.

When do factual arguments become controversial?

When they challenge people’s beliefs and lifestyles

What are some examples?

Childhood obesity, Endangered Species, Energy Production.

What are the Structures

They rely on hard evidence

Claims may address a fact that is controversial or surprising, correct errors, or challenge myths (Big Foot, WIves Tales etc.).

They can be proved or disproved with evidence

May ask- Where did the problem begin and what caused it? Are they reliable? Is there a problem with the facts? Where did the problem begin and what caused it?

Examples

Are the oceans being polluted? Is climate change happening?

How it works:

The author makes a claim about how to interpret facts and uses reasoning to fill in the gaps, establishing that there is an issue.

Arguments of Definition Purpose?

Aims to understand a concept or term by examine it’s nature. It involves determining a title, exploring its implications, and considering the consequences of the definition.

What are some examples?

Is a human fetus a human being? Is being honest always about telling the truth?

Structures/ Characteristics

They challenge existing definitions, broadening them or creating new ones

Types of Definitions

Formal Definition: Dictionary definition

Operational Definition: Define an object by what it does or the conditions that create it.

Key questions

Whether a definition is accepted or new, , is the support for the definition logical and compelling?

How it works:

Involves introducing a subject stating the purpose of the definition to expand on formal ones, and changing how we perceive an issue.

Arguments of Evaluation Purpose?

To answer: What is the quality?, Present criteria, and to measure individual people or ideas against those standards/criteria

ex: Movie Reviews

What rituals of praise and blame fall under this category?

Evaluating the performance of Superbowl teams, Award Shows, Best dressed or Worst dressed celebrities

Structures

they construct a ranking or comparison

criteria which you measure your subject is implied, quantitative, quantitative

Consideration of alternative views

Causal Arguments Purpose?

An argument that explores the relationship between a cause and its effect.

Often occur as part of other arguments.

Usually yield PROBABLE(possible) rather than ABSOLUTE(truth) other possibilities.

Always complex and acknowledge other possibilities

Examples of Causal Relationships

Sufficient

Necessary

Precipitating cause

Proximate Cause

Remote Cause

Reciprocal cause

You are making a causal argument when:

state a cause then examine its effects, describe an effect and trace it back to its causes

trace a string of causes to figure out why something happened

explore plausible consequences

Proposal Arguments Purpose

Present an issue or problem so vividly that readers say “what can we do”

recommends course of action

Structures/ Characteristics

They call for change, often in response to a problem

they focus on the future

they center on the audience

Format:

A should do B because of C