Arguments

==Parts of an argument==

Claims

• States your position on the issues you have chosen to write about
• A good claim is not obvious, is engaging, is specific
• A good claim is logical, come from considering the evidence, and is debatable

Ways to develop an argument with claims

• analysis: comparing
• cause and effect
• classification: put into categories
• comparison and contrast
• narration: storytelling

Data/evidence

• the evidence that you cite to support your claim

Types of evidence

$Facts:$ facts are truth claims subject to verification or falsification. Facts usually obtain their status only after repeated verification

%%Examples:%% Examples are used to support generalizations. They give specific instances to illustrate the material

$Authorities:$ Authorities are experts in various fields. their work or statements are used as evidence to support claims.

$Statistics:$ numerical data in the form of tables, graphs or charts.

$Public records$

$Interviews:$ Personal interviews with people who have relevant experience

$Personal experience$

Using evidence

• summarize: distill or boil down the original to its facts and essential ideas
• paraphrase: restate an author’s idea but in your own words
• direct quotation

Warrant

• explains why/how the data proves the claim
• the connection between a claim and the evidence
• a good warrant will be a reasonable interpretation of facts
• will not make illogical interpretive leaps
• transition sentence between claims
• will not assume more than the evidence supports
• may consider and respond to possible counterarguments
• in this case, so, for example