English 120 – Rosichan
Sentence Frames for Argument (pgs 622-625 in St. Martin’s)
To Assert a Position
1. When [issue/event] happens, most people think ____________, but I think
____________because ____________.
2. [People] focus on [X], which is characterized by ____________, and they don’t even notice
[Y], which is characterized by ____________.
3. Although many people take ____________for granted, [list individuals/groups] oppose it on
the grounds that ____________.
4. Whereas supporters of ____________have argued that ____________, opponents such as [list
individuals/groups] contend that ____________.
5. Though others may view it as a matter of ____________, for me, the issue hinges on
____________.
6. According to ____________, what’s at stake in this issue is ____________. For me, however,
what is most important is ____________.
7. On this issue, X and Y say ____________. Although I understand and to some degree
sympathize with their point of view, this is ultimately a question of _____________. What’s at
stake is not but ____________. Therefore, we must ____________.
8. This issue is dividing our community. Some people argue ____________. Others contend
____________. And still others believe ____________. It is in all of our interests to
____________, however, because ____________.
9. Conventional wisdom is that ____________. But I take a different view: ____________.
10. [Subject] has many good qualities, including ____________ and ____________; however,
the issues do not outweigh its one major drawback, namely that ____________.
11. [Subject] is a brilliant embodiment of [genre or category], especially notable for its superb
____________ and thorough ____________.
12. Because I admire [another artist’s other work], I expected [subject] to be ____________. But
I was [disappointed/surprised] by ____________ because ____________.
13. Many complain about ____________ but do nothing because solving it seems [too hard/too
costly].
To Support a Position
1. What makes ____________ [problematic/praiseworthy] is ____________.
2. Because ____________, I [support/oppose] ____________.
3. Studies such as ____________ have shown that [problem] mostly affects ____________
[name group(s)].
4. Studies by X, Y, and Z show that [solution] has worked in ____________, ____________, and
____________.
5. The reasons for ____________ may surprise you, such as ____________, ____________, and
____________.
6. The cause(s) of [subject] may be [surprising/alarming/disturbing/amazing], but they are clear:
____________ [state cause(s) and provide evidence].
7. [Cause] plays a [surprising/alarming/disturbing/amazing] role in [our lives/our families/our
communities/our workplaces]: It [does/is/provides] ____________ [describe role].
7. For many years, [name group] has believed that ____________. Now there is research
supporting this claim, but not for the reasons you may think. It’s not ____________ that has been
causing this phenomenon but ____________.
8. Researchers studying ____________ have shown a causal connection between ____________
[my causes] and ____________ [my subject]. They claim ____________
quote/paraphrase/summarize information from source] (cite source).
9.A large number of people have been polled on this question, and it appears that ____________
was an important factor in their decision to ____________.
10. Reliable research by ____________ shows ____________.
To Refute an Opposing Position
1. One problem with [opposing view] is that ____________.
2. Some claim [opposing view], but in reality ____________.
3. My opponents cite research to support their argument, but the credibility of that research is
questionable because ____________.
4. This argument seems plausible because it is consistent with our preconceptions. Nevertheless,
evidence shows ____________.
5. Activists insist ____________. Still, in spite of their good intentions, ____________ would
[take away a basic right/make things even worse].
6. X and Y think this issue is about ____________. But what is really at stake here is
____________.
7. Proponents object to my argument on the grounds that ____________. However, they are
confusing results with causes. What I am arguing is ____________.
8. Polls show that most people favor ____________, but an opinion’s popularity does not make
it true or right.
9. Though most would agree that ____________ is true, it does not necessarily follow that
____________.
10. One common complaint is ____________. In recent years, however, ____________.
11. Some people think we can’t afford to do ____________ [name solution], but it would only
cost $ ____________ [insert dollar amount] to put my solution in place compared to
$ ____________, the cost of [doing nothing/implementing an alternative solution].
12. Although it might take ____________ [months/years] to implement this solution, it would
actually take longer to implement [alternative solution].
13. Some may suggest that I favor this solution because I would benefit personally; however, the
fact is we would all benefit because ____________.
14. Some may claim that this solution has been tried and hasn’t worked. But research shows that
____________ [explain how my solution differs from past experiments in several important
ways]: ____________, ____________, and ____________ (list differences).
15. X, reviewer for ____________, claims that ____________. But I agree with Y, reviewer for
____________, who argues that ____________.
16. Some people think [subject] is [alternative judgment] because of ____________,
____________, and ____________ [reasons]. Although it is easy to see why they might make
this argument, the evidence does not back it up: ____________ [explanation].
17. Reviewers have remarked that [subject] is a pale imitation of [comparable subject]. I
disagree. Whereas [comparable subject] is ____________, [subject] is ____________.
18. This [subject] has generated criticism for its supposed ____________. But [subject] is not
____________. Instead, it is ____________.
19. A recent study of [subject] showed that ____________.
To Concede an Objection
1. I agree that ____________.
2. ____________ is certainly an important factor.
3. To be sure, ____________ is true.
4. Granted, ____________ must be taken into consideration.
5. Some people argue that ____________. I understand this reservation, and therefore, I think we
should ____________.
6. A common concern about this issue is ____________. That’s why my argument focuses on
[this other aspect] of the issue.
7. I agree with those who [claim X/object on X grounds]; therefore, instead of [option A], I think
we should pursue [option B].
8. If seems too [time-consuming/expensive], let’s try ____________.
9. Where ____________ is a concern, I think [name alternative] should be followed.
10. Although ____________ is the best way to deal with a problem like this, under [describe
special circumstances], I agree that ____________ should be done.
11. Indeed, the more hard-core [name enthusiasts] may carp that [subject] is not sufficiently
____________ [shortcomings].
12. The one justifiable criticism that could be made against [subject] is ____________.
13. As some critics have pointed out, [subject] does follow the tried-and-true formula of
____________.
To Concede and Refute an Objection
1. ____________ may be true for X but not for Y.
2. Although ____________, I think ____________.
3. X and Y insist that ____________. Nevertheless, in spite of their good intentions,
____________.
4. I agree that ____________ is important, but so is ____________.
5. I agree that ____________ is important, but my opponents need to consider ____________.
6. On the one hand, I accept X’s argument that ____________, but on the other hand, I still
think _____________ is ultimately more important because ____________.
7. As some critics have pointed out, [subject] does follow the tried-and-true formula of
____________. Still, the [director/writer/artist] is using the formula effectively to
_____________.
8. The objection that [subject] can be caused by things other than [my cause] may be true. But
there is strong evidence showing that [my cause] played a central role by ____________.
.
9. Those who disagree about ____________ often see it as a choice between ____________ and
____________. But both are important. We don’t have to choose between them because
____________.