Argument Writing Vocabulary

Without error; in exact conformity to fact; information is NOT made up

Accurate

A type of writing used to convince

Argument

The person or group of people to whom the writer is writing

Audience

Prejudice in favor of one thing or against another; lacking a natural viewpoint

Bias

The side you choose to support in an argument

Claim/Position

The position taken by the opposite side

Counterclaim

Reliable, trustworthy, dependable; can be counter on to be accurate

Credible

Credibility Convince by the character of the

author Tend to believe people we respect Make people believe you are the

expert on the subject

Ethos

Statistics, facts, examples, definitions, etc. that are used to explain and support a reason

Evidence

When reasons and evidence are presented in a way that makes sense

Logical

Logical To persuade by the use of reason Heart of the argument (without

logic, you’re just babbling) Will enhance your ethos

Logos

Wording used at the start of a nonfiction writing piece to catch the interest of the reader

Nonfiction Lead

Someone who opposes a claim/position

Opponent

Emotional Persuade by appealing to your

reader’s emotions Many people view this as the

strongest argument Appeal to people’s emotions

Pathos

An opinion; the way you think about a position

Point of View

Someone who supports a claim/position

Proponent

The reason the writer is writing; the goal of the writing piece

Purpose

Something provided by the writer to justify an support a claim/position

Reason

What the writer presents to refute and explain away a counterclaim

Rebuttal

Information that is related to the matter at hand and appropriate to the purpose

Relevant

Text or video that contains information that can be used to develop reasons and evidence

Source

W0rds, phrases or sentences that connect sentences, paragraphs, or sections

Transitions