2. What is a Point?
A point is a statement of your
position, opinion, or idea.
A point is not an indisputable fact.
“Barack Obama won the presidential election in
2008” -This is a fact. This is not a point.
“Barack Obama has been a good president.”
-This is an opinion. This is a point.
3. More about Points
Here’s a good way to check whether or not you
have a good point. Ask yourself:
-could someone argue or disagree with it? For
example, no one could argue that Barack
Obama didn’t win the 2008 election, but they
could argue that he has not been a good
president.
4. More about Points
The other way to make sure you have a good
point is to imagine yourself as part of a
conversation:
You: “Barack Obama has been a good
president.”
Someone else: “Why? How? What are your
reasons for saying this?”
A good point needs to be explained, backed up
with evidence and arguments, and supported.
5. What is support?
Support is how you back up, explain, or justify
your point. Support answers the question
“Why do you believe your point is valid?”
Point: “My teacher is boring.”
Support: “He just goes on and on about points
and supports and never shuts up!”
This is good support because it answers the
question “Why is your teacher boring?”
6. Think of your point like a table top.
A table top by itself isn’t very useful. It
needs to be supported by legs.
Now the point is stable and won’t fall over.
7. Now, try to identify the point and support in
these examples:
1. a.
