Understanding the Argumentative Essay: Claims, Analysis, Structure, Counterclaims, Details, Coherence, Transition Words,

1. The Argumentative Essay

2. What is a claim? • A statement essentially arguable but used as a primary point to support or prove an argument is called a claim. • If somebody gives an argument to support his position, it is called making a claim. Different reasons are usually presented to prove why a certain point should be accepted as logical. A general model is given below to explain the steps following in making a claim

3. What is analysis? • In composition,analysis is a form of expository writing in which the writer separates a subject into its elements or parts. Plural: analyses. Also called division. • When applied to a literary work (such as a poem, short story, or essay), analysis involves a careful examination and evaluation of details in the text.

4. What is structure? • To understand what is meant by structures of literature, let's first look at the definition of structure. Structure means 'composed of parts' or 'the organization of something,' when referring to literature. In its simplest form, we can think of literature as written material on a particular topic or subject. The structure of literature can be described as the organizational method of the written material.

5. What is counterclaim? • A claim is the main argument. A counterclaim is the opposite of the argument, or the opposing argument. A reason tells why the claim is made and is supported by the evidence. Evidence is the facts or research to support your claim.

6. Examples of Counterclaim • But there are two sides to every argument. In your argument for a new cell phone, your mom stands on the other side. She has something to say against your claim that you need a new cell phone, and it goes something like, 'No, you don't.' • That's your mom's counterclaim. A counterclaim is just the opposite of a claim. In a more formal way, she might say, 'Your current situation does not require a new cell phone.' Counterclaims are also provable and supportable by reasons and evidence. Not just, 'Because I said so.' When you're planning an argument, you need to know what the counterclaim might be so that you can make sure that you disprove it with your reasons and evidence.

7. What are the details? • Connect to the Topic Sentence. All the details should relate closely to the topic sentence and generally to the main topic of your essay. For example, if your topic is gun control, all paragraphs should focus on some element of gun control, and nothing else. • Details provide the information that supports the topic sentence. You can create supporting details with descriptions, examples, reasons, explanations and comparisons. • The details you use to support your topic sentences depends somewhat on the development strategy (persuasive, compare/contrast, narrative, expository, etc.) that you're using. Are you writing a narrative or descriptive essay? Make your paragraphs come alive with details. A persuasive essay? Use plenty of facts and evidence. You may end up combining several types of supporting details.

8. What is coherence? • Coherence: Logical inter connection; overall sense or understandability • Coherence refers to a certain characteristic of aspect of writing. Literally, the word means “to stick together.” • Coherence in writing means that all the ideas in a paragraph flow smoothly from one sentence to the next sentence. With coherences, the reader has an easy time understanding the ideas that you wish to express.

9. Transition words • Transition words and phrases are vital devices for essays, papers or other literary compositions. They improve the connections and transitions between sentences and paragraphs. They thus give the text a logical organization and structure

10. Examples of transition words • Addition: also, in addition to, additonally • Detail or example: For example, that is, more, specifically • Logic: Therefore, thus • Contrast: Yet, nevertheless, on the other hand • Similarity: Likewise, similarly, in other words • Reinforcement of ideas: Also, in other words, in addition, for example, moreover • Change in ideas: Instead, on the other hand, yet, although, however, but, in contrast, nevertheless • Conclusion: Thus, therefore, Finally, accordingly, so

11. What is a thesis? • A thesis is a statement in a non-fiction or a fiction work that a writer intends to support and prove. • One can find examples of thesis statement at the beginning of literary pieces. These thesis statements are of utmost importance, as they serve as clear indicators as to which directions writers will follow in their work. • A thesis statement is carefully chosen by a writer and is marked by vigilant selection of words that will never miss its target. Generally, such a statement shows up in the first paragraph or what is called an introduction. Despite writers’ efforts to prove their thesis statements, not all of these statements can be verified for their exactness. Nevertheless, they do develop an argument.

12. Examples • In writing an essay, a thesis statement determines the worth of an essay by its capacity to stay focused on its thesis statement. For instance, if a writer fails to clearly mention or define a solid thesis statement in his or her essay, it will be almost impossible for him or her to pay attention to the issue he or she plans to discuss and explain. Suppose a writer wants to write an essay on how to make a perfect fruit salad, the quality of his or her writing will exceedingly improve if he or she lets the readers have knowledge of the subject matter at the start of the essay: • Don’t write, “Eating fast food is bad and should be avoided.” • This statement is too general and would be nearly impossible for you to defend. It leaves a lot of big questions to answer. Is all fast food bad? Why is it bad? Who should avoid it? Why should anyone care? • Do write, “Americans should eliminate the regular consumption of fast food because the fast food diet leads to preventable and expensive health issues, such as diabetes, obesity, and heart disease.”