Question

analyze craft and structure conflicting arguments
in an argument, an author presents a claim, or position, about a debatable topic. he or she then explains reasons for taking that position, and uses evidence to show why the reasons are sound. strong arguments rely on facts. weak arguments may express the authors opinions but not use facts to support them. weak arguments may also have poor reasoning or rely too heavily on exciting readers emotions. some types of poor reasoning or over - reliance on emotions are called logical fallacies. common logical fallacies include the following:
· an overgeneralization is a conclusion that overstates the facts. a statement that includes words such as always, never, everything, or only may be an overgeneralization.
example: nobody ever washes the dishes in this house!
· a slippery slope asserts that a relatively small first step will lead to a chain of related events resulting in some significant effect. the idea that such a chain of events will definitely happen may simply be untrue.
example: if students are allowed to retake a test, they are going to want to retake every test for the rest of the year.
although two authors might express the same position, they may not present it in the same way. authors arguing similar positions may offer different reasons and evidence. one may use facts and sound reasoning, whereas another may use few or no facts and logical fallacies.
directions: read the passage below. then, answer the questions that follow.
eighth - grade students should be allowed to join any group or after - school activity—even martial arts. research shows martial arts build strength and coordination. some object to students younger than 16 participating in martial arts because they assert that it provokes violence, but the martial arts masters show self - control—not violence.

1. what is the claim made in the passage?
2. what pieces of evidence does the author use to support the argument?
3. what conflicting argument does the author include?
4. what evidence might a conflicting passage provide to support the argument?

Explanation:

1. The claim is the main position. Here, it's that eighth - grade students should be allowed to join any group or after - school activity, even martial arts.
2. The evidence is research showing martial arts build strength and coordination, and that martial arts masters show self - control.
3. The conflicting argument is that some oppose students younger than 16 participating in martial arts because they think it provokes violence.
4. A conflicting passage might provide evidence like statistics on violence incidents in martial arts classes involving eighth - graders, or expert opinions against young students in martial arts.

Answer:

1. Eighth - grade students should be allowed to join any group or after - school activity, even martial arts.
2. Research shows martial arts build strength and coordination; martial arts masters show self - control.
3. Some oppose students younger than 16 participating in martial arts because they assert that it provokes violence.
4. Statistics on violence incidents in martial arts classes involving eighth - graders, or expert opinions against young students in martial arts.