SBAC ELA Grade 8 Writing Arguments 2 — Questions and Answers

Question 1: What is the purpose of a 'claim' in an argumentative essay?

To describe the history of the topic
To state the writer's central position or argument on the topic (Correct answer)
To summarize what others have said about the topic
To present evidence that the writer will analyze

Correct answer: To state the writer's central position or argument on the topic

A claim is the central argument or position the writer is asserting and intends to support with evidence throughout the essay.

The claim (also called a thesis statement) is the central argument or position of an argumentative essay. It tells readers exactly what the writer believes and intends to prove. A strong claim is specific, debatable (someone could reasonably disagree), and arguable with evidence. Characteristics of a strong claim: Specific — not vague or too broad ('Video games are bad' is too vague; 'Violent video games increase aggressive behavior in adolescents' is more specific). Debatable — it takes a position that can be disputed; 'The Civil War happened in the 1860s' is a fact, not a claim. Arguable — can be supported with evidence and reasoning. A claim is different from an announcement ('In this essay, I will discuss...') and from a question. It asserts a specific position. Every paragraph and piece of evidence in the essay should connect back to and support the claim. Example of weak claim: 'School should start later.' (True, but minimal — provides no reasoning.) Example of strong claim: 'High schools should start no earlier than 8:30 a.m. because teenagers' natural sleep cycles make early start times harmful to their academic performance, health, and safety.' The strong version includes the position and reasons, giving readers a roadmap for the entire essay.

Question 2: What is a 'counterclaim' and why do strong argumentative essays include one?

A counterclaim repeats the main claim in different words for emphasis
A counterclaim presents an opposing argument, which the writer then addresses to strengthen their own argument (Correct answer)
A counterclaim is evidence that directly supports the writer's position
A counterclaim is a second, unrelated argument that the writer wants to make

Correct answer: A counterclaim presents an opposing argument, which the writer then addresses to strengthen their own argument

A counterclaim presents an opposing viewpoint that the writer then refutes, demonstrating awareness of multiple perspectives and strengthening the argument by showing the opposing view is less valid.

A counterclaim (also called an opposing argument or counterargument) acknowledges a perspective that disagrees with the writer's claim. Including a counterclaim might seem like it weakens your essay, but it actually strengthens it for several important reasons. First, it demonstrates intellectual honesty and credibility. A writer who ignores opposing views seems unaware of the full debate. A writer who addresses opposing views seems informed and thoughtful. Second, it allows the writer to show why the opposing argument is less convincing than their own. After presenting the counterclaim, the writer refutes it — explains why it's weaker, less well-supported, or based on flawed reasoning. Third, it preempts the reader's objections. If a reader is thinking 'but what about...?' and the writer addresses that concern, the reader is more likely to be persuaded. The structure for handling a counterclaim: Present the opposing view fairly ('Some argue that...' or 'Critics contend that...') → Acknowledge any validity in the opposing view (concession) → Refute it with evidence or reasoning ('However...' or 'Despite this...'). Example: 'Some argue that later school start times would create logistical problems for families with working parents (counterclaim). While scheduling challenges are real (concession), the documented health and academic benefits of adequate teen sleep outweigh logistical inconveniences that can be addressed through policy adjustments (refutation).'

Question 3: Which type of evidence is most appropriate to support the argument that regular exercise reduces depression?

A personal story about someone who felt better after exercising
Results from multiple peer-reviewed studies showing reduced depression rates in people who exercise regularly (Correct answer)
A famous person's quote saying they feel better when they exercise
An emotional appeal describing how depression makes people feel

Correct answer: Results from multiple peer-reviewed studies showing reduced depression rates in people who exercise regularly

Peer-reviewed scientific studies provide the strongest evidence for claims about health and medicine because they are conducted using rigorous methods and reviewed by other experts.

Different types of evidence have different levels of persuasiveness depending on the argument. For a claim about health and medicine (exercise reduces depression), scientific evidence — specifically multiple peer-reviewed studies — is most appropriate. Peer-reviewed studies are conducted by researchers using rigorous scientific methods (controlled groups, statistical analysis, double-blind procedures when possible). They are then reviewed by other experts in the field before publication, catching errors and ensuring quality. Multiple studies showing consistent results are particularly strong evidence because they suggest the finding is robust and not a fluke. In contrast: A personal story (anecdote) describes one person's experience, which may not be representative. Anecdotes are vivid but not statistically significant — what's true for one person may not be true for most people. A celebrity quote may be sincere but provides no scientific evidence — famous people have no more expertise in health research than anyone else. An emotional appeal evokes feeling but doesn't establish factual truth. This hierarchy of evidence — scientific research > expert testimony > statistical data > anecdotes > emotional appeals — helps writers choose the most persuasive evidence for their arguments. Emotional appeals and personal stories can effectively supplement scientific evidence (making abstract data relatable), but should not substitute for it when making empirical claims about health, science, or effectiveness.

Question 4: Which sentence uses the most formal academic language appropriate for an argumentative essay?

Everyone knows that climate change is a huge deal.
Climate change is totally messing up the environment.
Scientific consensus indicates that anthropogenic climate change poses significant risks to global ecosystems. (Correct answer)
Climate change is bad and scientists have been talking about it for a while now.

Correct answer: Scientific consensus indicates that anthropogenic climate change poses significant risks to global ecosystems.

Academic argumentative writing uses precise, formal language. 'Scientific consensus indicates that anthropogenic climate change poses significant risks to global ecosystems' uses technical vocabulary and formal phrasing appropriate for academic essays.

Formal academic writing has distinct characteristics that differ from casual speech and informal writing. These conventions signal to readers that the writing is credible, serious, and scholarly. Characteristics of academic language include: Precise vocabulary (specific terms rather than vague words), formal register (avoiding contractions, slang, and colloquial expressions), objective tone (avoiding overly emotional or casual language), evidence-based claims (not 'everyone knows' but citing actual sources), and complex but clear sentence structures. Analyzing the options: A: 'Everyone knows' is an unsupported generalization; 'huge deal' is informal slang. B: 'Totally messing up' is slang; 'environment' is vague. C: 'Scientific consensus' (citing the scientific community), 'anthropogenic' (technical term for human-caused), 'poses significant risks' (formal phrasing), 'global ecosystems' (precise scientific term) — all appropriate for academic writing. D: 'Bad' is too vague; 'been talking about it for a while' is informal and imprecise. Developing formal academic vocabulary is essential for writing in school and professional settings. You can improve academic vocabulary by reading widely in academic texts, keeping a vocabulary notebook, and practicing using technical terms accurately in your writing.

Question 5: An argumentative essay ends: 'Therefore, school districts should invest in social-emotional learning programs because they improve student mental health, reduce disciplinary problems, and create more positive school communities.' What is the function of this sentence?

It introduces the first piece of evidence
It restates the claim and summarizes the main supporting reasons, serving as a conclusion (Correct answer)
It presents a counterclaim that will be refuted
It provides a quote from an expert

Correct answer: It restates the claim and summarizes the main supporting reasons, serving as a conclusion

This sentence restates the essay's main claim and summarizes the three main reasons (mental health, discipline, community), making it a concluding thesis restatement.

The concluding sentence of an argumentative essay serves several functions: it restates the main claim (often in different words than the introduction), summarizes the main supporting reasons, and provides closure for the reader. The sentence 'Therefore, school districts should invest in social-emotional learning programs because they improve student mental health, reduce disciplinary problems, and create more positive school communities' does exactly this: • 'Therefore' signals a conclusion — this word says 'based on all the evidence presented, here is the conclusion.' • 'School districts should invest in social-emotional learning programs' restates the claim (the main position). • 'Because they improve student mental health, reduce disciplinary problems, and create more positive school communities' summarizes the three main reasons that the essay presumably developed in its body paragraphs. A strong conclusion should NOT introduce new evidence or arguments (those belong in the body), simply repeat the introduction word-for-word, or end with a weak or vague statement. Instead, it should remind readers of the essay's main argument and reasons, give a sense of completion, and (optionally) end with a broader implication, a call to action, or a memorable final thought. The formula 'Therefore, [restate claim] because [summarize reasons]' is a classic and effective concluding structure for argumentative essays.

Question 6: When a writer uses the phrase 'According to the American Medical Association...' what is the purpose?

To show that the writer is not sure of the information
To attribute evidence to a credible source, increasing the argument's persuasiveness (Correct answer)
To introduce a personal opinion
To signal that the information is controversial

Correct answer: To attribute evidence to a credible source, increasing the argument's persuasiveness

Attributing evidence to a credible source (like a professional medical organization) strengthens an argument by showing that the claim is supported by expert authority.

Attribution is the practice of crediting specific sources when presenting evidence or information. Using phrases like 'According to...,' 'Research by...,' 'A study published in... found...,' or 'As stated by...' accomplishes several important things in argumentative writing. First, attribution establishes credibility. Linking your evidence to a reputable source (like the American Medical Association, a peer-reviewed journal, a government agency, or a recognized expert) tells readers the information isn't just your opinion — it's supported by authority in the field. Second, attribution allows readers to verify the information. They can look up the American Medical Association's statement themselves and check whether you've accurately represented it. This transparency builds trust. Third, attribution protects against plagiarism. Academic integrity requires crediting the sources of information and ideas. Fourth, the credibility of your evidence depends partly on its source. Evidence from the American Medical Association is more persuasive for medical claims than evidence from an anonymous website. Choosing credible sources and naming them strengthens your argument. When evaluating others' arguments, look at what sources they attribute evidence to. Is the source credible and relevant? Is it current? Does the source actually say what the writer claims it says? These questions help you analyze arguments critically.

SBAC ELA Grade 8 Writing Arguments 2

What is the purpose of a 'claim' in an argumentative essay?