Using the information above, identify the types of claims in the following questions. Some may identify with more than one of claim type.
1. Should overnight camping be permitted in the state park?
2. Is taking Adderall to increase concentration for an exam a form of cheating?
3. Will an increase in gas taxes lead to a reduction in road congestion?
4. Is depression a learned behavior?
5. Were the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 more like Pearl Harbor ( an act of war) or more like an earthquake ( a natural disaster)?
6. How effective is acupuncture in reducing morning sickness?
7. Is acupuncture quackery or real medicine?
8. Should cities use tax dollars to fund professional sports arenas?
9. Are Mattel toy factories sweatshops?
10. Why are couples who live together before marriage more likely to divorce than couples who don’t?
Writing Arguments
Chapter 10
An Introduction to Types of Claims
Types of Claims and Method for Structuring Those Types of Arguments
Type___________________Example_____________________Method for structuring__
Definitional: Is sleep deprivation torture? Create a definition that establishes
Is an expert video gamer an athlete? criteria for the category
Use examples to show how the
Contested case meets the criteria.
Resemblance: Is opposition to gay marriage like Let the analogy or precedent itself
To what is this opposition to interracial marriage? create the desired rhetorical effect
thing similar? Is steroid use to improve strength Elaborate on the relevant similiarities
similar to LASIK surgery to improve between the given case and the analogy
vision? or precedent.
Causal: What are the cause of Autism? Explain the links in a causal chain going
What are the What might be the consequences of cause to effect.
causes or requiring a national I.D card? Speculate about causes (consequences)
consequences of this or propose surprising causes or
phenomenon consequences.
Evalation Is behavior modification a good Establish the criteria for a “good” or
and Ethical: therapy for anxiety? “ethical” member of this class or
What is the worth Is it ethical to use steroids in sports? category?
or value of this thing? Use examples to show how the contested
case meets these criteria.
Proposal: Should the Unites States enact a Make the problem vivid.
What action should single-payer health care system? Explain your solution by showing how
we take? To solve the problem of prison it is motivated by principle, by
overcrowding, should we legalize consequence, or by resemblance to a
possession of drugs/ previous action the audience approves.
Using the information above, identify the types of claims in the following questions. Some may identify with more than one of claim type.
- Should overnight camping be permitted in the state park?
- Is taking Adderall to increase concentration for an exam a form of cheating?
- Will an increase in gas taxes lead to a reduction in road congestion?
- Is depression a learned behavior?
- Were the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 more like Pearl Harbor ( an act of war) or more like an earthquake ( a natural disaster)?
- How effective is acupuncture in reducing morning sickness?
- Is acupuncture quackery or real medicine?
- Should cities use tax dollars to fund professional sports arenas?
- Are Mattel toy factories sweatshops?
- Why are couples who live together before marriage more likely to divorce than couples who don’t?