Question
What is the purpose of an argument?
To change someone’s mind.
What is a claim?
A statement of the writer’s position on a topic.
To build a persuasive argument, what does a writer need to understand?
The audience.
What should a writer consider when thinking about the audience’s needs?
What is bias?
A personal feeling in favor of or against something.
What are counterarguments?
The part of an argument in which the writer addresses opposing viewpoints.
What three things should the introduction of an argument do?
The hook in an introduction should be surprising or interesting, so readers want to learn more.
An argument is a written discussion in which reasons and evidence are given to support a claim.
What 3 qualities should the opening statement of an argument have?
_______________ are pieces of information that can be proven true and serve as convincing evidence that can support the writer’s argument.
Practice:
Alex is writing an argument to present to his class about how having a pet can improve a person’s mental health. Before Alex begins his essay, he needs to identify his audience. Help Alex identify his audience by answering the questions below.
Once you have helped Alex determine his audience, help him write an opening statement (1-2 sentences) for his argument. Remember, an opening statement should be debatable, should specifically state the writer’s opinion, and should be logical and reasonable.
Answer the following questions to identify the audience:
What age(s) are my readers?
13
Does my audience’s gender matter for this issue?
no
Does my audience hold a bias?
Some may
Is that bias in line with my argument or in opposition to it?
both
Do audience members generally share the same bias, or do they have differing opinions?
What specific concerns might the audience have?
Alex’s Opening Statement:
To change someone’s mind.
What is a claim?
A statement of the writer’s position on a topic.
To build a persuasive argument, what does a writer need to understand?
The audience.
What should a writer consider when thinking about the audience’s needs?
What is bias?
A personal feeling in favor of or against something.
What are counterarguments?
The part of an argument in which the writer addresses opposing viewpoints.
What three things should the introduction of an argument do?
The hook in an introduction should be surprising or interesting, so readers want to learn more.
An argument is a written discussion in which reasons and evidence are given to support a claim.
What 3 qualities should the opening statement of an argument have?
_______________ are pieces of information that can be proven true and serve as convincing evidence that can support the writer’s argument.
Practice:
Alex is writing an argument to present to his class about how having a pet can improve a person’s mental health. Before Alex begins his essay, he needs to identify his audience. Help Alex identify his audience by answering the questions below.
Once you have helped Alex determine his audience, help him write an opening statement (1-2 sentences) for his argument. Remember, an opening statement should be debatable, should specifically state the writer’s opinion, and should be logical and reasonable.
Answer the following questions to identify the audience:
What age(s) are my readers?
13
Does my audience’s gender matter for this issue?
no
Does my audience hold a bias?
Some may
Is that bias in line with my argument or in opposition to it?
both
Do audience members generally share the same bias, or do they have differing opinions?
What specific concerns might the audience have?
Alex’s Opening Statement:
Answers
GPT-4o mini
### Identifying the Audience
**What age(s) are my readers?**
- 13 years old
**Does my audience’s gender matter for this issue?**
- No, gender does not matter in this context.
**Does my audience hold a bias?**
- Some may hold a bias regarding pets and their perceived benefits.
**Is that bias in line with my argument or in opposition to it?**
- There are both supportive and opposing biases among the audience.
**Do audience members generally share the same bias, or do they have differing opinions?**
- There are differing opinions; some students may believe in the benefits of pets, while others may not have strong feelings either way or may even oppose pet ownership.
**What specific concerns might the audience have?**
- Concerns may include the responsibility of pet ownership, allergies to pets, the financial costs associated with having a pet, or doubts about how pets can positively affect mental health.
### Alex's Opening Statement
"Having a pet is not just a privilege; it's a vital addition to our lives that significantly improves mental health by reducing stress and providing companionship. While some may question the necessity of pet ownership, the benefits to emotional well-being are undeniable and worth considering."
**What age(s) are my readers?**
- 13 years old
**Does my audience’s gender matter for this issue?**
- No, gender does not matter in this context.
**Does my audience hold a bias?**
- Some may hold a bias regarding pets and their perceived benefits.
**Is that bias in line with my argument or in opposition to it?**
- There are both supportive and opposing biases among the audience.
**Do audience members generally share the same bias, or do they have differing opinions?**
- There are differing opinions; some students may believe in the benefits of pets, while others may not have strong feelings either way or may even oppose pet ownership.
**What specific concerns might the audience have?**
- Concerns may include the responsibility of pet ownership, allergies to pets, the financial costs associated with having a pet, or doubts about how pets can positively affect mental health.
### Alex's Opening Statement
"Having a pet is not just a privilege; it's a vital addition to our lives that significantly improves mental health by reducing stress and providing companionship. While some may question the necessity of pet ownership, the benefits to emotional well-being are undeniable and worth considering."