Argument
Terms
What
is the thesis statement? |
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Topic
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Stance
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A general
statement about your topic, usually in the form of a single sentence that
summarizes what you expect will be the controlling idea. In argumentative
writing, your thesis should clearly state your position on the issue you
have chosen to write about.
Ex. Despite
claims that increased immigration would hurt the economy, the evidence
strongly suggests that new immigrants strengthen the economy in a variety
of ways.
What
qualifies as evidence? |
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Proof/Support
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Facts
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Statistics
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Authorities
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Anecdotes
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Scenarios
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Cases
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Textual Evidence
What
is a counterargument? |
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If an issue
is arguable, then there must be a possibility that the thesis is true,
and there must also be a possibility that the thesis is false.
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The counterargument
refers to the possibility that the thesis is false.
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The counterargument
argues against the working thesis.
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You must
present the counterargument in your paper so that your audience knows that
you have already considered the counterargument, but ultimately you will
refute the counterargument in your paper.
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