ENG Chp 16

Fact

A statement that can be proved.

A strong claim (thesis or key point) has one of the following traits: It's responsible meaning

It takes an ethically sound position (16-3 p184)

A strong claim (thesis or key point) has one of the following traits: It's understandable-meaning

It uses clear terms and defines key words (16-3 p184)

A strong claim (thesis or key point) has the following traits: list all five 16-3 p184:

It's (It is) clearly arguable It's defendable It's responsible It's understandable It's interesting

claims of policy

... state that something ought to or ought not to be done (16-3b p185)

A strong claim (thesis or key point) has one of the following traits: It's defendable meaning:

It can be supported with sufficient arguments and evidence (16-3 p184)

A strong claim (thesis or key point) has one of the following traits: It's clearly arguable meaning:

It can be vigorously debated (16-3 p184)

A strong claim (thesis or key point) has one of the following traits: It's interesting-meaning

It is challenging and worth discussing, not bland and easily accepted. (16-3 p184)

Claims of truth (focus on action)

State that something is or is not the case (16- 3b p185)

An argument centers around a claim-which should be:

a debatable statement that should be arguable, defend-able, reasonable, understandable, and interesting (16-3a p184)

opinion

a personally held taste or attitude (16-3a p185)

argument

a series of statements arranged in a logical sequence supported with sound evidence, and expressed powerfully so as to sway your reader or listener (16-1 p183)

What is a qualifier?

a word or phrase that make claims more reasonable

What are some examples of qualified words:

almost, maybe, some, frequently, likely, many, often, might, probably, tends to, typically, usually

An ________ is a reason or chain of reasons used to support a claim or thesis

argument (16-2 p183)

Avoiding all or nothing, extreme claims mean:

avoid using words that are overly positive or negative-such as: ALL, BEST, NEVER, & WORST 16-3b p185)

An argument centers on a ______ a debatable statement. That _____ is the thesis, or key point you wish to explain and defend so well that readers agree with it.

claim (16-3 p184)

A __________ is a conclusion drawn from logical thought and reliable evidence. (16-3)

claim (thesis)

Make a truly meaningful claim. Avoid claims that are:

obvious, trivial, or unsupportable (16-3b)

Statistics

offer concrete numbers about a topic.

claims of value (focus on action)

state that something does or does not have worth (16-3b p184)