Analytical Writing & Argumentation Flashcards

An author supports a claim about climate change with a personal story about a warmer winter at their home. Which type of evidence is this, and what is its main weakness?

Answer: Anecdotal evidence; a single personal experience cannot establish a broad scientific trend

Anecdotal evidence is based on personal experience and is too limited and subjective to support large-scale claims.

Which addition would MOST strengthen the argument 'Schools should start later to improve student health'?

Answer: A peer-reviewed study showing that delayed school start times correlate with improved attendance and GPA

Peer-reviewed empirical research provides the most credible and specific support for a health-related policy claim.

A writer argues that exercise improves grades and uses only studies funded by a fitness equipment company. What is the chief concern with this evidence?

Answer: The funding source creates a potential conflict of interest that may bias the results

When evidence is funded by parties with a financial stake in the outcome, its objectivity and reliability may be compromised.

Which sentence best identifies the INTENDED AUDIENCE of an essay that uses formal academic language, discipline-specific jargon, and assumes familiarity with peer-reviewed studies?

Answer: Scholars and researchers in the relevant academic field

Formal language, technical terminology, and reliance on academic citations signal that the audience is fellow experts or scholars.

Which of the following is an UNWARRANTED assumption in this argument: 'Our school's test scores rose after we hired a new principal, so the principal caused the improvement'?

Answer: The score increase was caused solely by the principal rather than by other concurrent factors

Attributing an outcome to one factor while ignoring other possible causes is an unwarranted assumption known as post hoc reasoning.

A writer wants to describe the severity of a problem before proposing a solution. Which paragraph ORDER best reflects standard argumentative essay structure?

Answer: Introduction (with thesis) → Problem evidence → Counterargument → Solution → Conclusion

Standard argumentative structure establishes the problem with evidence, addresses opposition, proposes a solution, and closes with a conclusion.

Which of the following BEST describes the difference between a fact and a claim in analytical writing?

Answer: A fact is verifiable and objective; a claim is an assertion that requires evidence and argument to be accepted

Facts are objectively verifiable statements, while claims are debatable positions that must be supported with reasoning and evidence.