High School & College Resources

Quick Reminders about Arguments & Scholarly Writing:


  • If you do not present accurate evidence, your argument is invalid.
  • If you present opinions as evidence, false evidence, or no evidence, your argument is invalid.
  • If you use fallacies of logic in your argument, your argument is invalid.
  • A short written argument uses RARE (or a similar) format.
  • A long written argument uses the Textual Analysis essay format.
  • Many short and long written arguments are written in response to a prompt. A prompt is a long question that expects an argument as a response.
  • Specific quotes and specific, detailed examples are the best evidence in an argument.
  • Arguments use a professional, scholarly tone.
  • Solid arguments have a standard of presenting at least three or more pieces of evidence to support the claim.
  • Good arguments present counter claims and refutations. They do not ignore the other side(s) of the argument. They acknowledge them and seriously address them.