An argument sounds like something to avoid rather than something to learn about and practice. If we were talking about an argument that is a heated disagreement, then avoidance would be a good option. There is, however, a different type of argument, an argument that makes a claim supported by evidence.
Look at the statements in bold below and the responses that follow.
“I’m the best candidate for Student Body President.”
Oh, yeah? Who says?
“Being a father is a hard job.”
I agree, but on what are you basing that statement?
“Working at Buttermilk Bakery is better than working at Pancake Paradise.”
Maybe it is, but what makes you think so?
Are the statements in quotation marks arguments in favor of a candidate, the job of a father, and a workplace?
No, they aren’t. These are statements of opinion. They do make a claim. They could be thesis statements. They are not, however, arguments. What would it take to make the above statements into arguments? Beneath each statement is a response in italics. Reread the above responses for a clue about what is missing.
Have you figured it out? Click to choose your answer from one of the possibilities below.
An argument needs to include evidence in support of the writer’s claim or position. In this lesson, you are going to practice analyzing the evidence that supports or opposes an argument. You are also going to learn to analyze the quality, relevance, and credibility of the evidence so you can decide whether to accept the argument’s claim.