Practicing Argumentative Analysis
What is an argument?
Argument: a reason or set of reasons given with the aim of persuading others that an action or idea is right or wrong
When we refer to an argument, we are talking about what the author of a text believes or wants you to do. An argument will have a thesis or claim, which is where the author states what they believe and why. Think about your thesis that you write for ECRs. It must have your answer and two reasons. This is the same for authors because they will have their claim and reasons.
Drag the definitions to the correct vocabulary word.
Reading
In StudySync (the online textbook) find and read: "After Being Convicted of Voting in the 1872 Presidential Election" by Susan B. Anthony
Which sentence would be the thesis or argument?
1. Friends and fellow citizens: I stand before you tonight under indictment for the alleged crime of having voted at the last presidential election, without having a lawful right to vote. 2. It shall be my work this evening to prove to you that in thus voting, I not only committed no crime, but, instead, simply exercised my citizen's rights, guaranteed to me and all United States citizens by the National Constitution, beyond the power of any state to deny.
Types of Structure
Click each box to learn how texts are structured.
Gamification
Microlearning
Learning strategy based on small units of content that are consumed quickly. Ideal for reinforcing concepts or learning in a flexible way..
Focuses on a topic, idea, or person by providing features or examples.
This structure highlights the similarities and differences between two topics.
Consists of applying game dynamics (challenges, rewards, levels) in learning environments to increase motivation and user engagement.
Explains why something happened and its result. This will have the topic and its cause, followed by what happens afterward.
Description
Compare and Contrast
Cause and Effect
Immediate Feedback
Engagement
Problem-Based Learning (PBL)
Level of emotional and mental involvement of the user with the content. High engagement improves information retention and overall course experience.
Didactic technique that proposes solving real or simulated situations to foster critical thinking and practical application of knowledge.
It is the feedback received by the user immediately after an activity. Helps correct errors quickly and improves understanding.
This will have information presented in a specific order or steps.
This structure will present a story or information as it changes over time, starting at the beginning and finishing at the end.
This structure will show an issue, then present solutions to that issue.
Chronological
Sequence or Order
Problem and Solution
Audience
Don't be selfish! You are not always the audience! When author's write, they are speaking to a specific group of people.
Fill in the blanks to learn about different genres' audiences.
Susan B. Anthony's Audience
When Susan B. Anthony was giving this speech, women were not allowed to vote, did not hold any political offices, and were expected to stay home with their children all day. She was also giving this speech because she got in trouble with the government for voting in the previous election.
What is the support?
It was we, the people; not we, the white male citizens; nor yet we, the male citizens; but we, the whole people, who formed the Union. And we formed it, not to give the blessings of liberty, but to secure them; not to the half of ourselves and the half of our posterity, but to the whole people—women as well as men. And it is a downright mockery to talk to women of their enjoyment of the blessings of liberty while they are denied the use of the only means of securing them provided by this democratic-republican government—the ballot. …
Think about the audience and support used.
Why this support?
When we refer to author's purpose, we are talking about why the author does the things they do. The steps to deciding the author's purpose are:
- Read the text and make sure you understand it.
- Think about what the author is trying to say through this piece of text. What do they want you to know?
- Think about what this does for you as the reader. Does it make you feel a certain way?
- Based on this, determine why the author made that choice. Was it to make you feel something, know something, or convey a certain idea?
Author's Purpose! WHY??
Quick Check!
Apply!
Last Question!
Good job!
You have successfully completed this assignment. Please show you teacher so that you can recieve a grade. You are going to do great on your STAAR. Good luck!
This is not correct. Remember, the argument is what the author believes or is trying to prove. Here, Susan B. Anthony is trying to prove that she did not do anything wrong by voting because she has the right to as a U.S. citizen.
Correct! This is our argument, which is what our entire speech will be about. Remember, if you need help finding the thesis, read the title and the body paragraphs. These should both match the thesis.
This is not right! Remember, your argument is what the entire speech will be about. This sentence is our hook. A hook is the opening to a speech or essay to engage readers, but is not what the entire speech will be about. Try again!
Practicing Argumentative Analysis
Katie Friedrichsen
Created on March 23, 2026
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Transcript
Practicing Argumentative Analysis
What is an argument?
Argument: a reason or set of reasons given with the aim of persuading others that an action or idea is right or wrong
When we refer to an argument, we are talking about what the author of a text believes or wants you to do. An argument will have a thesis or claim, which is where the author states what they believe and why. Think about your thesis that you write for ECRs. It must have your answer and two reasons. This is the same for authors because they will have their claim and reasons.
Drag the definitions to the correct vocabulary word.
Reading
In StudySync (the online textbook) find and read: "After Being Convicted of Voting in the 1872 Presidential Election" by Susan B. Anthony
Which sentence would be the thesis or argument?
1. Friends and fellow citizens: I stand before you tonight under indictment for the alleged crime of having voted at the last presidential election, without having a lawful right to vote. 2. It shall be my work this evening to prove to you that in thus voting, I not only committed no crime, but, instead, simply exercised my citizen's rights, guaranteed to me and all United States citizens by the National Constitution, beyond the power of any state to deny.
Types of Structure
Click each box to learn how texts are structured.
Gamification
Microlearning
Learning strategy based on small units of content that are consumed quickly. Ideal for reinforcing concepts or learning in a flexible way..
Focuses on a topic, idea, or person by providing features or examples.
This structure highlights the similarities and differences between two topics.
Consists of applying game dynamics (challenges, rewards, levels) in learning environments to increase motivation and user engagement.
Explains why something happened and its result. This will have the topic and its cause, followed by what happens afterward.
Description
Compare and Contrast
Cause and Effect
Immediate Feedback
Engagement
Problem-Based Learning (PBL)
Level of emotional and mental involvement of the user with the content. High engagement improves information retention and overall course experience.
Didactic technique that proposes solving real or simulated situations to foster critical thinking and practical application of knowledge.
It is the feedback received by the user immediately after an activity. Helps correct errors quickly and improves understanding.
This will have information presented in a specific order or steps.
This structure will present a story or information as it changes over time, starting at the beginning and finishing at the end.
This structure will show an issue, then present solutions to that issue.
Chronological
Sequence or Order
Problem and Solution
Audience
Don't be selfish! You are not always the audience! When author's write, they are speaking to a specific group of people.
Fill in the blanks to learn about different genres' audiences.
Susan B. Anthony's Audience
When Susan B. Anthony was giving this speech, women were not allowed to vote, did not hold any political offices, and were expected to stay home with their children all day. She was also giving this speech because she got in trouble with the government for voting in the previous election.
What is the support?
It was we, the people; not we, the white male citizens; nor yet we, the male citizens; but we, the whole people, who formed the Union. And we formed it, not to give the blessings of liberty, but to secure them; not to the half of ourselves and the half of our posterity, but to the whole people—women as well as men. And it is a downright mockery to talk to women of their enjoyment of the blessings of liberty while they are denied the use of the only means of securing them provided by this democratic-republican government—the ballot. …
Think about the audience and support used.
Why this support?
When we refer to author's purpose, we are talking about why the author does the things they do. The steps to deciding the author's purpose are:
Author's Purpose! WHY??
Quick Check!
Apply!
Last Question!
Good job!
You have successfully completed this assignment. Please show you teacher so that you can recieve a grade. You are going to do great on your STAAR. Good luck!
This is not correct. Remember, the argument is what the author believes or is trying to prove. Here, Susan B. Anthony is trying to prove that she did not do anything wrong by voting because she has the right to as a U.S. citizen.
Correct! This is our argument, which is what our entire speech will be about. Remember, if you need help finding the thesis, read the title and the body paragraphs. These should both match the thesis.
This is not right! Remember, your argument is what the entire speech will be about. This sentence is our hook. A hook is the opening to a speech or essay to engage readers, but is not what the entire speech will be about. Try again!