How to write an explanation

Objectives

● To understand the literary terms

● To be able to apply literary terms in an

argument

● To establish a claim, evidence, and reason

for a topic

ARGUE

PERSUASIVE WRITING,

right?

Persuasive writing is based on an emotional appeal

and the credibility of the writer.

Argument writing is based on logic and reasoning.

An argument is a claim that someone

believes should or should not be true.

Kids should be in school

Monday through Saturday!

A claim by itself is not enough. You

have to convince people why your

claim is true.

You do this by using

evidence and reasons.

“I need backup!”

A main argument--or claim--all by itself

is not very strong.

Evidence explain how the evidence supports the claim.

Reasoning supports the evidence.

Claim=Argument

Most argument text have two sides to a guiding

question.

Your claim is the concluding statement that

answers your original question.

● The claim is usually one sentence in length.

● It must be accurate, specific, and completely

answer the question.

Evidence=Proof

The evidence is all of the material that you

have read that supports your claim.

● Evidence must be sufficient and relevant to

your claim. Not all data is considered

evidence!

● Most evidence is specific information. This

can come from your own research or reading

or another person’s research.

Evidence

The evidence is always supporting your claim.

● It can also come from other sources such as:

computer simulations, websites, textbook,

class notes, personal experience, etc.

● It is important to have numerous pieces of

evidence in order to prove your claim!

Reasoning=Logical Support

Reasoning is the explanation that connects

your claim to the evidence that supports it.

● It shows why the materials you chose counts

as evidence.

● This explanation acts as a “conclusion” of

your claim.

Reasoning

Reasoning is the explanation that connects

your claim to the evidence that supports it.

● It shows a detailed understanding of the

claim that you are trying to argue.

● The reasoning should fully answer and

support your claim.

Claim:

Kids should not have to go to school on Saturdays.

Evidence: Students spend 36 hours a week at school.

Students spend 12 hours a week with their parents.

Reasoning: Most working parents have weekends off, and students need to be with their families.

Evidence: 86% of 11th and 12th graders work on the weekends.

Reasoning:Some students have jobs.

Evidence:Only 12% of students aren’t involved in extracurricular activities.

On average, students spend 22 hours a week on extracurricular activities.

Reasoning: Students need time for other activities.

Argument

Synthesis

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Claim

Evidence

Reasoning

Evidence

Reasoning

Evidence

Reasoning

Making a Claim

Think about how a teenage driver might convince his/her parents to loan the family car. Some tactics might include:

• Present examples of trustworthiness from the past

• Instill feelings of guilt

• Whine

• Present statistics on teen driving to demonstrate a sense of responsibility.

8/10/2011

17

Evidence

I should be allowed to drive the

car!

I probably should not be allowed to

drive the car!

Concluding

Statement

I passed the driving test the first time.

(I know the rules.)

Driving record at MVA

I have never gotten a ticket.

(I follow the rules.) Driving record at MVA

I have not lost my cell phone, wallet, or debit card.

(I am responsible.) Personal communication

Traffic accidents are a leading cause of death for teenagers. (They don’t pay attention as well) NHTSA

No previous experience with being responsible for something this potentially dangerous or expensive. Personal communication

Synthesis

19

Concluding Statement

Synthesis Point out strengths and limitations of both claim and counterclaim

Clarify relationships between claim and evidence, and reasons, and claim and counterclaim.

I should be allowed to drive the family car as I have

demonstrated responsibility, fulfilled the legal

requirements, and have maintained control of my

driving. Even though it is true that traffic accidents are a leading killer of teenagers, it

is obvious since not all teenagers have accidents that there are many safe teenage

drivers. In previous circumstances, when I have

been given the opportunity to be responsible, I have

demonstrated this attribute so a lack of experience is not a

strong counterclaim.

Synthesis Claim

Evidence Reasoning

Evidence Reasoning

Evidence Reasoning

Real-World Claims

People make claims all of the time.

Friends, parents, and just about every

commerical on TV is making a claim about

something.

Discuss some claims you have heard

recently.

Some examples...

● Global warming

● Energy drinks

● Bottled water

● Diets

● Axe body spray

● Airborne

● Organic food

● Vaccinations

● Vitamins

● Furniture stores

● Car insurance

● Magnet bracelets