Chapter 1
Foundational Reading Comprehension Strategies
Course: Gre
Subject: Gre Verbal Reasoning
Chapter: Critical Analysis And Argumentation
Introduction: The Foundation of Persuasion
Every time you try to convince someone of something—whether you're arguing for a later curfew, proposing a new idea at work, or writing a persuasive essay—you are building an argument. And every argument, no matter how complex, rests on a foundation: the claim.
A strong claim is the backbone of effective persuasion. It tells your audience exactly what you are trying to prove and sets the stage for the reasons and evidence that will follow. This lesson will teach you how to identify strong claims, understand different types of claims, and recognize the difference between strong and weak arguments.
The Three Elements of an Argument
Every complete argument has three essential components:
- Claim: The position or statement that the argument is trying to prove. It answers the question, "What am I arguing?"
- Reasons: The logical explanations that justify why the claim is true. They answer the question, "Why should I believe this claim?"
- Evidence: The facts, statistics, examples, expert testimony, or other support that proves the reasons are valid. It answers the question, "How do I know the reasons are true?"