Developing an
Effective Argument
Essential Question
How do I develop an effective
argument?
Unpacking EA 2B
Prompt: Develop an argument about an
issue that resonates across cultures.
Choose a position, a target audience, and
effective structure to convey your
argument.
DO NOW: Deconstruct the above prompt.
What skills and knowledge do you need to
have to complete this prompt?
Develop an argument about an issue that resonates
across cultures. Choose a position, a target
audience, and effective structure to convey your
argument.
Skills
Knowledge
Forms of Evidence
O Evidence - used to support a thesis/claim in an
argument
O Empirical evidence – based on experience and
direct observation through research
O Logical evidence – based on facts and a clear
rationale
O Anecdotal evidence – based on personal
accounts
Rhetorical Appeals (Persuasive
Language)
O Pathos – emotional appeal
Describes the writer’s appeal to an audience's
emotions.
O Logos – logical appeal
Describes the writer’s appeal to the reader’s
logic/reason by making a reasonable claim and
offering proof in support of that claim, whether the
reader agrees or not.
O Ethos – ethical appeal
Describes the writer’s appeal that relies on the
credibility of the author. The reader asks themselves,
"What does this person know about this topic?" and
"Why should I trust this person?"
"50% of marriages end in divorce"
"My mother was diagnosed with multiple
sclerosis when I was twelve. I saw her pain and
suffering which is why I want to support MS
research."
"Before I was president, I was the governor
of New York."
"As your doctor, I have to tell you that if
you don't stop smoking, you're going to
die."
Elements of Argument
O Claim – the thesis of the argument
O Evidence - support for the claim/thesis
 Commentary- explanation of why and how the evidence
supports the claim
O Counterclaims – a position taken by someone with an
opposing viewpoints or evidence that disagrees with your
thesis
 Concession – admission that the opposing side has valid
points
O Refutations – Evidence or reasoning that negates the
counterclaims
O Conclusion – concluding statement that pulls the claim and
evidence together to create a call to action
Identifying Elements of an
Argument
O Identify the claim.
O Identify the evidence.
O What types of evidence are used?
O Identify the concessions.
O Identify the refutation.
O Identify the call to action.
O How did the writer signal the conclusion?
Common Fallacies
O Hasty Generalizations – a conclusion based on
O
O
O
O
insufficient or biased evidence; rushing to a conclusion
Either/Or – a conclusion that oversimplifies the
argument by reducing it to only two choices
Ad Populum – an emotional appeal that speaks to
positive or negative feelings rather than the real issue
Moral Equivalence – a comparison of minor misdeeds
with major atrocities
Red Herring – a diversionary tactic that avoids the key
issues, often by avoiding opposing arguments
(146)
Reasoning & Evidence
To evaluate an argument:
O Determine whether a writer’s
reasoning is valid
O Determine if the evidence provided
sufficiently supports the claim
O Be aware of the use of common
fallacies