ELA Grade 8 Writing Arguments Flashcards
6 cards from real SBAC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 ELA Grade 8 Writing Arguments flashcards as text
What is a 'logical fallacy' in an argument?
Answer: An error in reasoning that makes an argument invalid or misleading
A logical fallacy is a flaw in reasoning that makes an argument flawed or misleading, even if the conclusion happens to be true.
Which statement best describes 'ethos' as a persuasive technique?
Answer: Establishing the writer's credibility and trustworthiness to persuade readers
Ethos is a rhetorical appeal based on the writer's or speaker's credibility, character, and trustworthiness — persuading through established authority.
A student wants to strengthen this weak claim: 'Social media is bad.' Which revision is strongest?
Answer: 'Excessive social media use among teenagers correlates with increased rates of anxiety and depression, according to multiple longitudinal studies.'
The strongest revision is specific, uses precise evidence-based language, cites a credible type of source, and focuses on a particular population and measurable outcome.
What is the primary purpose of using transitions in an argumentative essay?
Answer: To connect ideas smoothly and show the logical relationships between paragraphs and sentences
Transitions connect ideas and show how they relate (contrast, sequence, addition, cause-effect), making the essay flow logically and helping readers follow the argument.
What does it mean to 'develop' a body paragraph in an argumentative essay?
Answer: To present a topic sentence, provide evidence, analyze how it supports the claim, and connect back to the thesis
A developed body paragraph includes a clear topic sentence, specific evidence, analysis explaining how the evidence supports the claim, and a connection to the thesis.
A writer wants to revise this sentence to use a more sophisticated word choice: 'The plan was good because it fixed the problem.' Which revision BEST demonstrates eighth-grade level writing?
Answer: 'The plan was effective because it resolved the underlying issue.'
'Effective' is more precise than 'good,' and 'resolved the underlying issue' is more specific and formal than 'fixed the problem,' demonstrating better word choice.