Evaluating Argumentative Articles

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Often you are faced with opposing arguments (pro and con) on an issue. How can you evaluate these arguments? The following are terms that you should consider when reading and evaluating argumentative articles.

1. Claim: The author's claim is his/her opinion; it is his/her stance on the issue. (the claim is known as the thesis or main idea)\

Example: The death penalty should be illegal

Versus: The death penalty should remain legal

2. Logical Appeals: Logical appeals include convincing reasons and evidence.

- Reasons are states that explain why the author holds an opinion

Example: The death penalty should be abolished because many scholars have found that the poor are more likely to be given the death sentence.

- Evidence is specific information that is used to back up a reason

-Types of evidence most frequently used include: Facts, statistics, examples, quotations, expert opinions

Example of evidence: Scholars have found that "the majority of death row inmates are represented by court-appointed lawyers who are inexperienced and underpaid" ("The Death Penalty," ACLU briefing)

3. Emotional Appeals: Emotional appeals stir feelings in the readers in hopes of persuading them. They often use one or both of the following.

- Loaded Words: Are words with strong emotional connotations or associations

Example of loaded words: The United States is on an execution rampage ("The Death Penalty," ACLU briefing)

- Anecdotes: are brief stories or personal accounts of an event happening

Example: In 2003, the supreme court overturned the death sentence of Kevin Wiggins because his lawyers' assistance did not meet the standard for competent legal representation ("Inadequate Representation, "ACLU)