1. Argument Reasoned Thinking That Supports a Specific Claim Or Position

Argument Writer’s Glossary

1. argument – reasoned thinking that supports a specific claim or position

2. claim – a statement that a speaker or writer is trying to prove, usually by evidence

3. evidence – data which is used in an argument to formulate a claim

4. relevant evidence – details or quotes from a text that directly relate to the subject or problem being discussed or considered

5. irrelevant – not related to the subject being discussed

6. counterclaim – the opposing viewpoint or the opposite of the main claim in an essay (synonym: rebuttal)

7. illustrate – to give the reader a clear picture in his mind with your words or drawing

8. warrants – common sense rules, laws, principles, or definitions that people accept as generally true

9. backing – support for the warrants

10. qualifications – statements that cannot be proven but are framed with the following phrases: probably, in all likelihood, as a rule, and beyond reasonable doubt.

11. fact – something that is indisputably true and is used as evidence

12. judgment - the act or process of forming an opinion or making a decision after careful thought

13. policy – some kind of a rule or procedure