ESL 151 - Reading and Composition » Spring 2023 » Comprehension Check Argumentative Writing

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Question #1
The purpose of argumentative writing is to…
A.   use logical fallacies to trick readers into agreeing with you.
B.   give logical arguments for a controversial viewpoint and try to convince the reader to agree.
C.   explain different sides of a controversial issue and let the reader decide which one makes more sense.
D.   attack people you disagree with, showing why they are unintelligent or immoral.
Question #2
Which of the following sentences would be an acceptable thesis statement for an argumentative essay on book banning?
A.   Is it right to ban books from schools if they contain content that is inappropriate for children?
B.   Banning books from schools is not a good idea because it censors important ideas, does not teach critical thinking skills, and does not prepare children for real life.
C.   Some people believe books should be banned if they contain violence or sexual content, while others believe there are better ways to guide children's reading choices.
D.   There are many pros and cons of book banning which should be carefully considered.
Question #3
Why is it helpful to brainstorm for an argumentative essay by writing a list of pros and cons?
A.   It helps you consider different sides of the issue before deciding your opinion, and it helps you think of points to support your position and possible counterarguments to refute.
B.   It can help you prove that people who disagree with you are just being illogical, and they have no good reasons to support their opinions.
C.   Your essay should give an equal number of points to support each side, so writing a list of pros and cons can let you make sure the arguments are balanced.
D.   The introduction of an argumentative essay needs to include a complete list of pros and cons to demonstrate how difficult the issue is.
Question #4
Which of the following is NOT a good way to avoid logical fallacies in your writing?
A.   Try to consider all possibilities, and look out for anything you may have missed or ignored.
B.   Listen carefully to people you disagree with in order to make sure you understand what they believe and why.
C.   Learn about different types of logical fallacies, and practice looking for them in things you hear or read.
D.   Use complicated wording so readers will not notice problems in your reasoning.

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