Unit 7: Revising Claims

Question 1

What does it mean to qualify an argument?

Answer 1

Qualifying (or limiting) an argument means acknowledging that your argument may not be universally applicable, or may have some weaknesses or problems. By qualifying your argument you can head off challenges or counter-arguments, by conceding some points in advance.

Question 2

What are examples of qualifying an argument?

Answer 2

If you wanted to argue that we must urgently tackle the problem of climate change, but you understood that a common objection to doing so is the economic cost, you could qualify your thesis (using an although or despite the fact that statement):

EX) Conceding a point/weakness: “Although it would be expensive to do so, tackling the problem of climate change is urgent and we must commit ourselves to solving it as rapidly as possible.”

EX) Limiting an argument’s scope: “Despite the fact that some people may not be able to do so, it is the case that for the majority of Americans, engaging in vigorous exercise for at least 30 minutes a day is an important step in remaining healthy.”

Question 3

What is an oversimplified argument?

Answer 3

An oversimplified argument is one that makes too broad a claim, which generally does not acknowledge the complexity of the issue, or advocates for too simple a solution.

Question 4

What are examples of oversimplified arguments?

Answer 4

“Society has become more violent as a result of the proliferation of violent video games.”

“Education today isn’t as good as it used to be. Obviously, our teachers are not doing their jobs.”

Question 5

How can I avoid creating an oversimplified argument?

Answer 5

Avoid creating an oversimplified argument by acknowledging that every issue (this one included) is complex, and that most things don’t have simple solutions or single causes.

      Here is an example of an oversimplified argument: "Society has become more violent as a result of the proliferation of violent video games."                                                                                                      

      How can we make this more complex, and avoid oversimplification? "While there are many factors that have contributed to the increased violence in contemporary society, research suggests that violent video games are an important contributing factor."    

• Here the introduction of a limiting clause before the main thesis helps us avoid oversimplifying, and our choice to include the phrase “research suggests” in the main clause also helps us craft a more complex argument.

Question 6

What is overgeneralization?

Answer 6

Overgeneralizing is when we make a statement that is too broad, and that may rely on stereotypes or be too reductive.

By overgeneralizing, we often invalidate our own arguments, because the overgeneralization is easy for someone who disagrees with us to knock down.

Question 7

What are examples of overgeneralization?

Answer 7

“All politicians are corrupt.”

“Pit bulls are aggressive.”

Question 8

How can I avoid overgeneralizing?

Answer 8

We can avoid overgeneralizing by qualifying our remarks: “Because many Pitbull’s are aggressive…” “ A significant number of politicians become wealthy while in office…”

Question 9

What is an absolute claim?

Answer 9

An absolute claim is another name for an overgeneralization or oversimplification.

Often, absolute claims begin with words like “every, all, always, never,” words which suggest something absolute or complete. Such absolute statements are easy to prove false.

Question 10

What are examples of absolute claims?

Answer 10

“It is never worthwhile to visit a chiropractor.”

“Every straight-A student is hard working.”

Question 11

What is an independent clause?

Answer 11

An independent clause is one that can stand alone as a complete thought, and could work as a free-standing sentence. It must contain a subject and verb. It can stand alone as a sentence, be modified by one or more dependent clauses, or be linked with another independent clause.

Question 12

What are examples of independent clauses?

Answer 12

Stand alone sentence: “Jim studied in the Sweet Shop for his chemistry quizzes.”

Modified by dependent clauses: “Whenever it was raining, Jim studied in the Sweet Shop for his chemistry quizzes.”

Linked with another independent clause: “Jim studied in the Sweet Shop for his chemistry quizzes, but his friends studied together at the nearby library.”

Question 13

What is a dependent clause?

Answer 13

A dependent clause contains a subject and verb but doesn’t express a full thought, and so couldn’t stand alone as its own sentence.

Some common marker words that indicate dependent clauses: after, although, as, as if, because, before, even if, even though, if, in order to, since, though, unless, until, whatever, when, whenever, whether, and while.

Question 14

What is an example of a dependent clause?

Answer 14

“When Jim studied in the sweet shop for his chemistry quiz…” – what happened when he studied? The thought is incomplete.

Question 15

What are subordinate clauses?

Answer 15

A subordinate clause is a dependent clause.

Question 16

What are coordinated clauses?

Answer 16

Coordination means combining two sentences (and ideas) of equal value into one sentence, to create a kind of balanced sentence. We use coordinators to combine the sentences together. You may find it helpful to remember the acronym FANBOYS.

Question 17

What are FANBOYS?

Answer 17

FANBOYS are coordinating conjunctions.

For (effect/cause): Let’s not fight about the past, for today is a new day. (note that this is the least common!)
And (addition): Isaiah lives in Livermore, and his parents live nearby in Pleasanton.
Nor (addition of negatives): Mary doesn’t want to go to college, nor does she want to find a job.
But (contrast): Abdul likes to read, but he prefers to watch television.
Or (alternative): Jose thinks he wants to study math, or he might be interested in firefighting.
Yet (contrast): Justin really likes to run in the morning, yet he hates getting up early.
So (cause/effect): Maria loves dogs, so she went to the animal shelter to adopt one.

Question 18

What transition words connect coordinated clauses?

Answer 18

In addition to FANBOYS, you can also use transition words (also known as conjunctive adverbs) to coordinate sentences, although they require different punctuation. If you are joining two sentences with a conjunctive adverb, you need to have a semi-colon before the word and a comma after it.

However (contrast): Cycling class is a tough workout; however, I still attend three times a week.
Therefore (cause/effect): Erin takes regular pilates classes; therefore, she is very strong.
For example (general to specific): There are many fun exercises; for example, I take kickboxing and weight lifting.
In fact (emphasis): Phat is obsessed with running; in fact, he is out running right now.

Question 19

How can colons be used?

Answer 19

Colons are used to introduce lists, or for emphasis.

Note: only capitalize after a colon if a) the item after the colon is a proper noun, or b) what comes after the colon is a complete sentence.

Question 20

What are examples of colons in use?

Answer 20

• She had only one love: spaghetti.
• There are two uses for a colon: to introduce a list, or to add emphasis.
• She had only one love: Western Michigan University.
• Maggie wears a brimmed cap at all times: Strong light gives her a headache.

Question 21

How can semicolons be used?

Answer 21

Semicolons have three uses: the first is to separate complex elements in a list, such as this list that you are currently reading; the second is to separate two independent clauses that are connected in a single sentence, in place of a comma plus a coordinating conjunction (like and or but); the third is to connect combined sentences that are joined with a conjunctive adverb (like however or for example or therefore). (Notice that in this list, because the first two list elements contain commas, I must use a semicolon to separate the elements of the list.)

Question 22

What are examples of semicolons in use?

Answer 22

• “I need a new car; I want to visit France. I suppose my needs must come before my desires.”
• “I worked for hours on my homework; however, I was unable to finish it.”

Question 23

What is an em dash? How can it be used?

Answer 23

An em dash is a double dash (created by typing two hyphens) that sets off text. It is very versatile and useful.

It can be used in three ways:
* in place of commas
* in place of parentheses
* in place of a colon

(Punctuation note: you can use it without spaces on either side, or with one space on either side – either is ok.)

Note that choosing to use em dashes is always a stylistic choice, they are never required. You can use them because you prefer them, or to add variety to your writing.

Question 24

What is an example of an em dash used in place of commas?

Answer 24

“And yet, when the car was finally delivered⁠—nearly three months after it was ordered⁠—she decided she no longer wanted it, leaving the dealer with an oddly equipped car that would be difficult to sell.”

Question 25

What is an example of an em dash used in place of parentheses?

Answer 25

“Upon discovering the errors⁠—all 124 of them⁠—the publisher immediately recalled the books.”
(When used in place of end parentheses, only a single em dash is used: “After three weeks on set, the cast was fed up with his direction⁠—or, rather, lack of direction.”)

Question 26

What is an example of an em dash used in place of a colon?

Answer 26

“After months of deliberation, the jurors reached a unanimous verdict⁠—guilty.”

Question 27

How can a writer use design features to create emphasis in a text?

Answer 27

A writer can create emphasis in several ways: by using boldface, by underlining or by italicizing or by CAPITALIZING text. Or by using an exclamation point!
When you write by hand underlining is the simplest way to create emphasis.

We can also create emphasis through contrast, for example by following a long sentence with a short one: “There are many ways to get yourself to start writing: chain yourself to your desk, lock yourself in your room, glue your butt to your chair, or block the internet on your phone. Whatever you choose, just start writing.”