What Is Supporting Argument?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Think of supporting arguments as

mini-papers with

mini-thesis statements (sometimes called main ideas). Supporting arguments “back up” your thesis or help “prove” it—to the extent that it can truly be proven. In the following essay, the main idea of each supporting argument is bolded and underlined.

How do you create a supporting argument?

  1. Consider the situation. …
  2. Clarify your thinking. …
  3. Construct a claim. …
  4. Collect evidence. …
  5. Consider key objections. …
  6. Craft your argument. …
  7. Confirm your main point.

How do you identify a supporting argument?

  1. Understand the Context: Is someone trying to convince you of something?
  2. Identify the Conclusion: What are they trying to convince you?
  3. Identify the Reasons: Why do they think you should believe them?

What is supporting details in argumentative essay?

The argumentative essay requires well-researched, accurate, detailed, and current information to

support the thesis statement

and consider other points of view. Some factual, logical, statistical, or anecdotal evidence should support the thesis.

What is a supporting claim example?

In academic writing, supporting claims do most of the real work. … For example, if

Student A is writing a paper on why his or her school needs to build a new parking deck

, then a reasonable supporting claim might be “there is not enough parking on campus.”

What are supporting reasons?

  • Reasons: A main idea that supports your opinion.
  • Supporting Details: Additional statements, fact, or examples that are used to support the reason or main idea.

What are reasons in an argument?

Reasons are

statements of support for claims

, making those claims something more than mere assertions. Reasons are statements in an argument that pass two tests: Reasons are answers to the hypothetical challenge to your claim: “Why do you say that?”

What is strong argument?

Definition: A strong argument is

a non-deductive argument that succeeds in providing probable, but not conclusive, logical support for its conclusion

. A weak argument is a non-deductive argument that fails to provide probable support for its conclusion.

What is a weakness in an argument?

So a weak argument is

one that fails either logically or the person considering the argument doesn’t accept one or more of the premises

. An argument may be weak, therefore, because it is ill-formed. Or in cases where it is valid or cogent, then it may be weak because you fail to believe that the premises are true.

How do you defend an argument?

  1. Argue the point, not the person. Someone states their opinion and it makes your blood curdle. …
  2. Use data and research as much as you can. …
  3. Don’t put words in your opponent’s mouth. …
  4. Don’t go on a tangent. …
  5. Stay positive, polite, and professional.

What are 3 supporting details?

Supporting details are

reasons, examples, facts, steps, or other kinds

of evidence that explain the main idea. Major details explain and develop the main idea. Minor details help make the major details clear. Identify the following sentences as Main Idea (MI), Topic (T), Supporting Detail (SD):

What are supporting examples?

Some extra Hints – The supporting details in a sentence or a paragraph MIGHT begin with some of the following words: for example,

for instance

, in addition, another, in fact, furthermore, moreover, therefore, as a result, consequently, first, second, third, next, then, last, finally, etc…

What are examples of supporting evidence?

  • Quotations (e.g. direct quotes, paraphrases, summaries)
  • Examples (e.g. illustrations of your points)
  • Statistics (e.g. facts, figures, diagrams)

What evidence are cited to support his claim?

Evidence vs.

Evidence is the facts used to support the claim. Citation tells

the reader where the writer got the facts

. Just because a writer does not cite her or his sources, does not mean she or he has no evidence.

What is the main goal of an argumentative essay?

The purpose of an argumentative essay is

to establish a stance or position on an issue by providing reasons and supporting evidence

.

Why is it important to use evidence to support a claim?

Think of evidence

as the supports that buttress your claim, making it more solid than it would be alone

. In fact, if you make a claim or an argument without evidence, your paper could appear to be unsupported opinion or not particularly well-researched.

Juan Martinez
Author
Juan Martinez
Juan Martinez is a journalism professor and experienced writer. With a passion for communication and education, Juan has taught students from all over the world. He is an expert in language and writing, and has written for various blogs and magazines.