Giving an Argument

What are we learning today?

You will say what kind of story you read and give good reasons.

Explanation

• A good argument has three parts: claim, evidence and explanation.
• The claim is your idea: This is a mystery story.
• The evidence is a detail from the text, for example a secret place or a note.
• The explanation says why the detail matters.
• Useful words: I think ... because ...; For example ...; This shows that ...

Examples

1. I think it is a mystery story because there is a secret man.
2. For example, Watson finds a note in a hut.
3. This shows that someone is hiding.

Remember!

• "I like it" is not enough. Give evidence from the text.
• Use details from the same text.

Check yourself

1. What are the three parts of an argument?
2. Complete: I think it is a mystery story ___ there is a secret.