Unit 4 · Claims and Evidence – Writing

Introduction ● (core concept) — Opens an argument by introducing the subject and/or writer; it may state the thesis and orients, engages, or focuses the audience with quotations, anecdotes, questions, statistics, data, or a scenario.

Conclusion ● (core concept) — Brings an argument to a unified end; it may restate the thesis, broaden the context, call the audience to act, propose a solution, explain implications, or connect back to the introduction.

Previewing the line of reasoning ● (core concept) — A thesis statement may hint at the argument's structure — but it doesn't have to list every point, aspect, or piece of evidence.

Classical argument structure ○ — A traditional arrangement: introduction, thesis, background, evidence, counterargument and rebuttal, conclusion.

Rogerian argument ○ — An approach that first finds common ground with the audience before presenting the writer's position.

Toulmin model ○ — A framework for analyzing arguments in terms of claim, grounds, warrant, backing, qualifier, and rebuttal.

Comparison and contrast (method of development) ● (core concept) — Examining similarities and/or differences between things, always comparing the same categories on each side.

Definition and description (method of development) ● (core concept) — Relating the characteristics, features, or sensory details of an idea or object, sometimes with examples or illustrations.