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Argumentative Writing - HMH Summary Pages
Argumentative Writing - HMH Summary Pages
Writing
KEY VOCABULARY AND CONCEPTS
What is a Claim?
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What is a Claim?
A claim is a writers position on a problem or issue.
To be a strong claim, the claim should:
1. Be specific.
2. Make only one point.
3. Be direct and to the point.
Support: Reasons
and Evidence
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Support
Support is material that is used to prove a claim.
Support is usually made up of reasons and evidence.
There are many types of evidence but these are the most common:
Facts
Examples
Statistics
Quotations/Expert Opinions
Anecdotes.
Building Effective
Support
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Creating a
Coherent
Argument
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Coherent Arguments
Coherent Arguments make sense and are easy for the reader to follow.
All the words, sentences, and paragraphs in a Coherent Argument come
together to form a unified whole.
Writers using these strategies to create coherent arguments:
1. Present ideas in a logical sequence.
2. Use pronouns and synonyms.
3. Repeat key words and phrases.
4. Use transitional words and phrases.
of
of
of
of
Importance
Complexity
Familiarity
Likely Acceptance
Formal Style
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Concluding Your
Argument
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Conclusions
The conclusion is the last opportunity to convince readers to agree with the
writers point of view.
An effective conclusion will always
1. be a logical follow-up to the main ideas presented in the body of the argument.
2. restate the claim and why it matters.
An effective conclusion may also
3. include a call to action
4. tie up any loose ends
5. point out a new, interesting idea closely related to the claim that leaves
readers with something to think about.