Handouts
Basic Vocabulary List
Arguable
Argument
Assumptions
Authoritative warrant
Axiom
Biased
Claim
Claim of fact
Claim of policy
Claim of value
Concept
Connotative
Credibility
Critical questions
Data
Debatable statements
Debate
Deduction
Editorial
Emotional appeal (pathos)
Empirical
Entail
Ethical appeal (ethos)
Evidence
Expert
Fact
Fallacy
Hostile audience
Hypothesis
Implications
Induction
Inference
Interpretation
Invalid argument
Issue, question at issue, or problem to be solved
Logical appeal (logos)
Motivational warrant
Non-debatable statements
Objective or subjective
Opinion
Persuasion
Point of view or frame of reference
Premises
Principle
Purpose or goal
Rational
Reasoning
Sound argument
Strong argument
Substantiate
Substantive warrant
Supportive audience
Syllogism
Theory
Valid argument
Values
Warrant
Wavering audience
Weak argument
Worksheet for Analysis of Argument
adapted from material in Elements of Argument by Annette Rottenberg
Name Date
Citation:
Title:
Questions
Part I: Understanding the Argument
What issue or problem does this article discuss?
Who is concerned about it?
Why is he or she concerned?
To whom does the writer address his or her concern?
Write the main claim here:
Does the writer propose a solution to a problem (claim of policy), express a values based opinion about an issue (claim of value), or state that a particular condition exists, has existed, or will exist (claim of fact)?
What type of evidence (support) is offered for the main claim (statistics, reports of personal experience, views of experts, personal opinion)?
What underlying assumption (warrant) must you agree with in order to accept the main claim?
Part II: Evaluating the Evidence
Facts
Is the evidence up to date?
Is the evidence sufficient?
Is the evidence relevant?
Are the examples representative?
Are the examples consistent with the experience of the audience?
Statistics
Do the statistics come from trustworthy sources?
Are the terms clearly defined?
Are the comparisons between comparable things?
Has any significant information been omitted?
Opinions
Is the source of the opinion qualified to give an opinion on the subject?
Is the source biased for or against his or her interpretation?
Has the source bolstered the claim with sufficient and appropriate evidence?
Part III: Your Response
After analyzing the claim and the evidence, are you convinced by the writer's argument? Explain why or why not. (Use the back of this sheet to write your response.)
DIRECTIONS for Claim of Fact Peer Feedback (adapted from Elements of Argument by Annette Rottenberg)
1. Look over your partner's paper and answer the following questions.
2. Discuss your responses with your partner.
3. Discuss specific ways to strengthen the essay.
What is the main claim?
Is it arguable?
Are the important terms clearly defined?
What kind of evidence (statistics, reports of personal experience, views of experts) is offered?
Evaluation of Evidence: Facts
Is the evidence up to date?
Is the evidence sufficient?
Is the evidence relevant?
Are the examples representative?
Are the examples consistent with the experience of the audience?
Evaluation of Evidence: Statistics
Do the statistics come from trustworthy sources?
Are the terms clearly defined?
Are the comparisons between comparable things?
Has any significant information been omitted?
Evaluation of Evidence: Opinions
Is the source of the opinion qualified to give an opinion on the subject?
Is the source biased for or against his or her interpretation?
Has the source bolstered the claim with sufficient and appropriate evidence?
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