The Five Parts of Argument
From UVA Writing Center
Five Parts of Argument • Claim • Reasons • Evidence • Warrants • Acknowledgment/Response
An argument consists of five basic elements:
| 1. What do you think? | leads to the | Claim |
| 2. Why do you think that? | leads to the | Reasons |
| 3. How do you know that? | leads to the | Evidence |
| 4. Why do you believe your reasons support your claim? | leads to the | Warrant |
| 5. What about alternative claims/reasons/evidence/warrants? | leads to the | Acknowledgment/Response |
Consider these guidelines for structuring a logical, coherent argument. They are the bones upon which an argument takes shape.
