Identifying Elements of Argument

Let's review argumentative elements! You guys are pros now on writing argumentative essays, right? Be sure to include the following:

-Claim: your opinion statement (what side you are on)

-Evidence: reasons (facts-- think logos!) to back up your claim

-Elaboration: further explaining the evidence (examples, going deeper). See this Elaboration Handout (Links to an external site.) for help!

-Acknowledgment of the counterclaim AND discrediting it--CRUSH the other side!

Let's practice!

Below are five short descriptions of different books.  On the basis of those descriptions, decide which book teachers should most wisely assign all students at Fairfield Junior High to read for their independent book next month.  Submit your claim, evidence, elaboration, and counterclaim. This is not an essay! Show me that you can write an example of each element.  

Book 1: Provides a wonderfully accurate and heartbreaking portrayal of the day to day life of a working class family in the Philippines.  It’s short and will be easy to read for most adolescents. 

Book 2: Provides an absolutely frightening description of what can happen as a consequence of teen alcohol and drug use.  Warning: It’s not for the squeamish.  The book features lots of rough language and violent situations. 

Book 3:  A modern classic that demonstrates how the beauty of language can transport readers into an entirely new world.  A challenge for many students because of its complex language and adult themes, but one that will help prepare students for college and encourages hard thinking about universal themes. 

Book 4: More and more teachers are requiring this book and it’s easy to see why.  It makes a powerful argument about why college matters and tells a dramatic story of how one American young man overcame adversity and successfully completed school. 

Book 5: A teen bestseller that proves that young people’s fascination with fantasy doesn’t end with Harry Potter.  The book doesn’t have Rowling’s memorable characters, but it does have action, action, and more action.  The kind of book that makes readers slow down as they near the end so they won’t have to put it down. 

Directions: Copy and paste the below elements into a Word doc or text box and type your response.  

Your claim: 

Evidence #1: (a reason) 

Elaboration/Reasoning: (What makes you say so? So what?)   

Counterclaim: Acknowledge a different book, and then discredit that book to show why your choice better

Ex. Some people may claim that book... is better because....   However, ...