Argumentative Text Structure

Argumentative Text Structure

An Indian Father’s Plea

Standards

9.1(A)

9.4(F)

9.5(E)

9.1(D)

9.5(A)

9.7(E)(i)

9.5(G)

Language Objective

I will use academic vocabulary related to argumentative text structure, such as claim, evidence, reasoning, counterargument, and rebuttal, when discussing and writing about argumentative texts.

Learning Intention

Today, we will explore the different elements of argumentative text structure and develop a deeper understanding of how these elements contribute to effective arguments.

I can analyze the effectiveness of argumentative text structure.

Success Criteria

I can identify the main claim and supporting evidence in an argumentative text.

I can construct an argumentative text using appropriate structure.

Do Now:

• What is the main "claim" in this argument?
• Is there supporting evidence?

An argumentative text consists of certain elements, including the following:

• a claim, or thesis, stating the writer’s or speaker’s position on the topic or issue and what he or she will prove or demonstrate
• reasons, or explanations why the audience should accept the author’s position
• evidence in the form of facts, statistics, expert opinions, and examples, that support the reasons
• a counter argument to address an opposing viewpoint
• rhetorical appeals, including appeals to logos (logic), ethos (trust), and pathos (emotions)
• a convincing conclusion, or closing remarks

*watch Concept Definition Video

These features are both characteristics and structural elements of argumentative text. Characteristics are qualities that define a certain type of writing, and structural elements are the parts that give structure to the ideas and information presented. For example, a writer or speaker may present their claim in the introduction, provide a reason supported by evidence and a rhetorical appeal in each body paragraph, and end with a call to action in the conclusion. The argument may also include a counter argument, which in itself follows a particular structure. A counter argument typically begins with an acknowledgment of an opposing viewpoint and ends with a rebuttal, or an attempt to disprove that viewpoint.

Vocabulary

claim

conclusion

characteristic

a defining feature or quality that belongs to a person, place, or thing in order to identify it

the closing paragraph or section of an essay, argument, or narrative

the writer’s or speaker’s position on a debatable issue or problem

Vocabulary

evidence

reason

counter argument

the part of an argument in which the writer considers and attempts to disprove an opposing opinion

an explanation that states why others should accept a claim

facts, statistics, numerical data, quotations, specific examples, and expert opinions that support a claim

Vocabulary

rhetorical appeal

structural element

rebuttal

the part of the counter argument that attempts to disprove the opposing opinion

a part that gives structure

a device that writers use to make their arguments appeal to readers

Directions:

Review the Checklist for Argumentative Text Structure below. Then read the Skill Model to examine how one student used the checklist to analyze characteristics and structural elements of an argumentative text in “An Indian Father’s Plea.” As you read, identify the question from the checklist the student used for each annotation.

Checklist for Argumentative Text Structure:In order to analyze characteristics and structural elements of argumentative texts such as a clear and arguable claim, appeals, and convincing conclusion, note the following:

• the writer’s claim or thesis
• the evidence the writer uses to support his or her claim or thesis
• The use of rhetorical appeals
• a counter argument
• the conclusion
• details and signal words that reveal the text’s organizing structure

Directions:

To analyze characteristics and structural elements of argumentative texts such as clear and arguable claim, appeals, and convincing conclusion, use the following questions as a guide:

• Does the author present a clear, arguable claim? Why or why not?
• Is the claim arguable? Is it a claim that another person could reasonably have a differing opinion related to the subject?
• What rhetorical appeals does the author use to persuade the audience of his or her claim?
• What makes the conclusion convincing?
• Does the writer give his or her argument new meaning?
• Does the conclusion leave the reader with a lasting and memorable impression?
• Does the conclusion offer a solution to a problem posed?
• Does the conclusion make a prediction about the future?
• Does the conclusion ask the reader to take action?

Skill Model

Paying attention to the characteristics and structural elements of argumentative texts can help you analyze how writers present their claims and build to an effective conclusion. Let’s look at how one reader analyzes some of the characteristics and structural elements that create a convincing argument in “An Indian Father’s Plea”:

Skill Model

The author claims his son has had more education than his Western peers. He supports this claim with evidence of the boy’s unique learning experiences. This evidence, which continues for many paragraphs, appeals to logic through examples.

The reader notes how the author opens his argument by stating a claim or thesis that is arguable, meaning someone else could reasonably disagree with this statement. It is an arguable claim because “quite an education compared with his peers” is a subjective measurement based on a personal opinion. Others could disagree with this statement, unlike an objective statement such as “there are 6.6 million Native Americans in the U.S. according to recent census data.” Having an arguable claim is an important part of an argumentative text structure.

The reader then notes that, throughout the rest of the body of the letter, the author provides evidence to support the validity of his claim about Wind-Wolf’s unique education. The reader notices that this evidence, made up of verifiable examples, appeals to the audience’s sense of logic, called logos. Analyzing these characteristics of argumentative text and the way they are deliberately structured helps the reader understand how the author uses evidence to build a convincing argument in support of his claim. The reader continues reading “An Indian Father’s Plea,” looking for a counter argument.

The author disputes that his son is “disadvantaged,” countering that he is “different” and giving an example. He acknowledges his son’s struggle but counters with a strength and uses pathos, or emotional appeal, to gain sympathy.

The reader notes how the author refutes a point made by the teacher—that his son is “culturally ‘disadvantaged’”—by providing a counter argument—that his son is “culturally ‘different.’” The reader also highlights an example the author gives to support this counter argument: “If you ask him how many months there are in a year, he will probably tell you 13 ...because he is taught by our traditional people that there are 13 full moons in a year according to the native tribal calendar.” The reader then notes that the father acknowledges his son’s weakness in writing his name but counters it with his son’s strength in being able to speak words in many different Indian languages. Finally, the reader highlights an emotional appeal, called pathos, the author makes by pointing out the difficulty of what the system is asking of a five-year-old.

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Got an idea?

Let the communication flow!

With Genially templates, you can include visual resources to wow your audience. You can also highlight a particular sentence or piece of information so that it sticks in your audience’s minds, or even embed external content to surprise them: Whatever you like! Do you need more reasons to create dynamic content? No problem! 90% of the information we assimilate is received through sight and, what’s more, we retain 42% more information when the content moves.

• Generate experiences with your content.
• It’s got the Wow effect. Very Wow.
• Make sure your audience remembers the message.