The document provides information on how to write an effective argument. It defines an argument as a claim that something should or should not be true, and explains that a claim alone is not enough - the writer must convince others why the claim is true using warrants and backing. Warrants explain how evidence supports the claim, while backing provides further support for the warrants. The document provides an example claim, warrants, and backing, and notes that arguments should also include rebuttals to counterarguments. It emphasizes that strong arguments are based on logic and reasoning, not just emotional appeals.

1. SSoo YYoouu TThhiinnkk YYoouu
AARRGGUU
CCaann
EE
AAllll AAbboouutt WWrriittiinngg
AAnn AArrgguummeenntt
Mrs. Yeckel
Ms. Wilson
Edgewood Middle School

2. WWHHAATT IISS
AANN
AARRGGUUMMEENN
TT??

3. IItt’’ss jjuusstt……
PPEERRSSUUAASSIIVV
EE WWRRIITTIINNGG,,
rriigghhtt??

4. WRONG!!
Persuasive writing is based on an emotional
appeal and the credibility of the writer.
Argument writing is based on logic and
reasoning.

5. AAnn aarrgguummeenntt iiss aa ccllaaiimm tthhaatt ssoommeeoonnee
bbeelliieevveess sshhoouulldd oorr sshhoouulldd nnoott bbee ttrruuee..
KKiiddss sshhoouulldd bbee iinn sscchhooooll
MMoonnddaayy tthhrroouugghh SSaattuurrddaayy!!

6. AA ccllaaiimm bbyy iittsseellff iiss nnoott eennoouugghh.. YYoouu
hhaavvee ttoo ccoonnvviinnccee ppeeooppllee wwhhyy yyoouurr
ccllaaiimm iiss ttrruuee..
YYoouu ddoo tthhiiss bbyy uussiinngg
wwaarrrraannttss aanndd bbaacckkiinngg..

7. ““II NNEEEEDD
BBAACCKKUUPP!!””
AA mmaaiinn aarrgguummeenntt----oorr ccllaaiimm----aallll bbyy iittsseellff
iiss nnoott vveerryy ssttrroonngg..
Warrants explain how the evidence
supports the claim.
Backing supports the warrants.

8. CCllaaiimm::
KKiiddss sshhoouulldd nnoott hhaavvee ttoo ggoo ttoo sscchhooooll oonn
WWaSaSrraarraattnunuttrrssdd::aayyss..
MMoosstt wwoorrkkiinngg ppaarreennttss hhaavvee wweeeekkeennddss ooffff,, aanndd ssttuuddeennttss nneeeedd ttoo bbee
wwiitthh tthheeiirr ffaammiilliieess..
BBaacckkiinngg:: SSttuuddeennttss ssppeenndd 3366 hhoouurrss aa wweeeekk aatt sscchhooooll..
SSttuuddeennttss ssppeenndd 1122 hhoouurrss aa wweeeekk wwiitthh tthheeiirr ppaarreennttss..
SSoommee ssttuuddeennttss hhaavvee jjoobbss..
BBaacckkiinngg:: 8866%% ooff 1111tthh aanndd 1122tthh ggrraaddeerrss wwoorrkk oonn tthhee wweeeekkeennddss..
SSttuuddeennttss nneeeedd ttiimmee ffoorr ootthheerr aaccttiivviittiieess..
BBaacckkiinngg:: OOnnllyy 1122%% ooff ssttuuddeennttss aarreenn’’tt iinnvvoollvveedd iinn eexxttrraaccuurrrriiccuullaarr
aaccttiivviittiieess..
OOnn aavveerraaggee,, ssttuuddeennttss ssppeenndd 2222 hhoouurrss aa wweeeekk oonn
eexxttrraaccuurrrriiccuullaarr aaccttiivviittiieess..

9. AArrgguummeennttss sshhoouulldd aallssoo iinncclluuddee rreebbuuttttaallss oorr
rreeaassoonnss wwhhyy tthhee ccoouunntteerr aarrgguummeennttss aarree wwrroonngg
KKiiddss sshhoouulldd nnoott hhaavvee ttoo ggoo
ttoo sscchhooooll oonn SSaattuurrddaayyss..

10. Making a Claim
Think about how a teenage driver might convince his/her
parents to loan the family car. Some tactics might
include:
• Present examples of trustworthiness from the past
• Instill feelings of guilt
• Whine
• Present statistics on teen driving to demonstrate a
sense of responsibility.
Based on an example from: http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/argument.html
8/10/2011 10

11. 8/10/2011
11
Evidence Information that supports a claim
or counterclaim (ex. facts, figures,
examples)
I should be
allowed to
drive the
car!
I probably
should not be
allowed to
drive the car!
Concluding
Statement
I have not lost my cell phone, wallet, or
debit card.
(I am responsible.) Personal communication
Synthesis

12. 8/10/2011
12
Concluding Statement
Clarify relationships between claim
and reasons, reasons and evidence,
and claim and counterclaim.
Synthesis
Point out strengths and limitations
of both claim and counterclaim
I should be allowed to drive
the family car as I have
demonstrated responsibility,
fulfilled the legal
requirements, and have
maintained control of my
driving. Even though it is true
that traffic accidents are a
leading killer of teenagers, it
is obvious since not all
teenagers have accidents that
there are many safe teenage
drivers. In previous
circumstances, when I have
been given the opportunity to
be responsible, I have
demonstrated this attribute so
a lack of experience is not a
strong counterclaim.
Synthesis
Claim
Warrant
Backing
Warrant
Backing
Warrant
Backing