Analytical Writing & Argumentation Flashcards

A student writes: 'We should ban junk food in schools because my friend got sick after eating cafeteria pizza.' Which flaw best describes this argument?

Answer: Hasty generalization

Drawing a broad conclusion from a single personal anecdote is a hasty generalization.

Which sentence most clearly states a specific, arguable thesis for an SAT essay?

Answer: Unrestricted social media use in middle schools undermines academic performance by fragmenting students' attention.

An effective thesis is specific, debatable, and previews the argument's direction.

In an argumentative essay, what is the PRIMARY purpose of acknowledging an opposing viewpoint?

Answer: To demonstrate understanding of the issue and strengthen your credibility

Addressing counterarguments shows intellectual fairness and makes your own argument more persuasive.

Which of the following is an example of a causal claim rather than a correlational one?

Answer: Eating breakfast directly improves cognitive function, leading to higher test scores.

A causal claim explicitly asserts that one factor produces or causes an effect in another.

An author argues: 'Either we raise the driving age to 21, or teen traffic deaths will continue to rise.' This is an example of:

Answer: A false dichotomy

Presenting only two options when other solutions exist is a false dichotomy fallacy.

Which revision best strengthens the following claim? 'Many students struggle with reading comprehension.'

Answer: According to a 2023 NAEP report, 36% of fourth-graders read below the basic level.

Citing a specific, credible statistic replaces a vague claim with concrete, verifiable evidence.

When an arguer attacks the character of the person making a claim rather than the claim itself, this is called:

Answer: Ad hominem

Ad hominem is the fallacy of discrediting an argument by attacking the speaker's personal character.