EAP Structuring an Argumentative Essay 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sentence best serves as a thesis statement for an argumentative essay?
- Many people have different opinions about social media.
- Social media has both advantages and disadvantages for teenagers.
- Stricter social media age restrictions should be federally mandated to protect adolescent mental health. (Correct answer)
- This essay will discuss social media and its effects.
Correct answer: Stricter social media age restrictions should be federally mandated to protect adolescent mental health.
An effective thesis takes a clear, debatable position and indicates the direction of the argument.
Question 2: The PEEL paragraph structure stands for Point, Evidence, Explanation, and:
- Evaluation
- Example
- Extension/Link (Correct answer)
- Elaboration
Correct answer: Extension/Link
The final 'L' in PEEL stands for Link, which connects the paragraph's point back to the overall thesis.
Question 3: A writer using the Toulmin model identifies a 'warrant.' What is a warrant?
- A piece of statistical evidence
- The main claim of the essay
- The logical principle that connects evidence to the claim (Correct answer)
- A counterargument from the opposing side
Correct answer: The logical principle that connects evidence to the claim
In Toulmin argumentation, the warrant is the underlying logical principle or assumption that justifies the inference from evidence to claim.
Question 4: Which of the following best describes a 'strawman' fallacy in argumentative writing?
- Using irrelevant evidence to support a claim
- Misrepresenting an opponent's argument to make it easier to refute (Correct answer)
- Appealing to emotion rather than logic
- Assuming that what is true for a part is true for the whole
Correct answer: Misrepresenting an opponent's argument to make it easier to refute
A strawman fallacy involves distorting the opposing argument into a weaker version that is easier to knock down rather than engaging with its real form.
Question 5: In a multi-body-paragraph essay, the most logical sequence for body paragraphs typically moves from:
- Personal anecdotes to statistics to conclusions
- Background context to strongest argument to counterargument
- General supporting points to specific evidence to refutation (Correct answer)
- Counterargument to weakest support to strongest support
Correct answer: General supporting points to specific evidence to refutation
A common effective sequence moves from broader claims to specific evidence and then addresses opposing views to show awareness of complexity.
Question 6: A student's essay has a thesis but each body paragraph discusses a different topic with no clear connection to the thesis. This problem is called:
- Lack of coherence
- Lack of unity (Correct answer)
- Insufficient evidence
- Circular reasoning
Correct answer: Lack of unity
Lack of unity occurs when body paragraphs do not consistently develop and support the central claim stated in the thesis.
Question 7: Which element is NOT typically included in an argumentative essay introduction?
- A hook to engage the reader
- A detailed analysis of all supporting evidence (Correct answer)
- Background context on the topic
- A clear thesis statement
Correct answer: A detailed analysis of all supporting evidence
Detailed evidence analysis belongs in the body paragraphs; the introduction provides context and the thesis, not full evidentiary development.
EAP Structuring an Argumentative Essay 3
Which sentence best serves as a thesis statement for an argumentative essay?