3.11: Common Summary Phrases
- Page ID
- 110023
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Here are all of the common phrases discussed in Chapter 3 for summarizing different elements of an argument and comparing two arguments. The section headings link to more information.
Introducing the argument
- In an article for _____________, writer _____________ discusses _____________.
- The recent account of _____________ by _____________ focuses on _____________.
- Writing in the journal _____________, the scholar _____________ argues that _____________.
Claims
Controversial claims of fact
- They argue that _____________.
- She maintains that _____________.
- He contends that _____________.
- They assert that _____________.
- She holds that _____________.
- He insists that _____________.
- She thinks_____________.
- They believe that_____________.
Widely accepted claims of fact
- He informs us of _____________.
- She describes_____________.
- They note that _____________.
- He observes that _____________.
- She explains that _____________.
- The writer points out the way in which_____________.
Positive claims of value
- They praise_____________.
- He celebrates_____________.
- She applauds the notion that_____________.
- They endorse_____________.
- He admires_____________.
- She finds value in_____________.
- They rave about_____________.
Negative claims of value
- The author criticizes_____________.
- She deplores____________.
- He finds fault in_____________.
- They regret that_____________.
- They complain that_____________.
- The authors are disappointed in_____________.
Mixed claims of value
- The author gives a mixed review of_____________.
- She sees strengths and weaknesses in_____________.
- They endorse_____________ with some reservations.
- He praises_____________ while finding some fault in _____________
- The authors have mixed feelings about_____________. On the one hand, they are impressed by_____________, but on the other hand, they find much to be desired in_____________.
Strongly felt claims of policy
- They advocate for_____________.
- She recommends_____________.
- They encourage_____________to _____________.
- The writers urge_____________.
- The author is promoting_____________.
- He calls for_____________.
- She demands_____________.
Tentative claims of policy
- He suggests_____________.
- The researchers explore the possibility of_____________.
- They hope that_____________can take action to_____________.
- She shows why we should give more thought to developing a plan to_____________.
- The writer asks us to consider_____________.
Reasons
- She reasons that _____________.
- He explains this by_____________.
- The author justifies this with_____________.
- To support this perspective, the author points out that_____________.
- The writer bases this claim on the idea that_____________.
- They argue that_____________ implies that _____________ because_____________.
- She argues that if _____________, then _____________.
- He claims that _____________ necessarily means that_____________ .
- She substantiates this idea by_____________.
- He supports this idea by_____________.
- The writer gives evidence in the form of_____________.
- They back this up with_____________.
- She demonstrates this by_____________.
- He proves attempts to prove this by _____________.
- They cite studies of _____________.
- On the basis of _____________, she concludes that _____________.
Counterarguments
Concession to a counterargument
- The writer acknowledges that _____________, but still insists that _____________.
- They concede that _____________; however they consider that _____________.
- He grants the idea that _____________, yet still maintains that _____________.
- She admits that _____________, but she points out that_____________.
- The author sees merit in the idea that _____________, but cannot accept_____________.
- Even though he sympathizes with those who believe _____________, the author emphasizes that _____________.
Rejection of a counterargument
- She refutes this claim by arguing that _____________.
- However, he questions the very idea that _____________, observing that _____________.
- She disagrees with the claim that _____________ because _____________.
- They challenge the idea that _____________ by arguing that _____________.
- He rejects the argument that_____________, claiming that _____________.
- She defends her position against those who claim _____________ by explaining that _____________.
Limits
- He qualifies his position by_____________.
- She limits her claim by_____________.
- They clarify that this only holds if _____________.
- The author restricts their claim to cases where_____________.
- He makes an exception for_____________.
Comparing two arguments
Similarities
- Just as A does, B believes that______________.
- Both A and B see ______________ as an important issue.
- We have seen how A maintains that ______________. Similarly, B ______________.
- A argues that______________. Likewise, B ______________.
- A and B agree on the idea that ______________.
Differences
- A focuses on______________; however, B is more interested in______________.
- A’s claim is that______________. Conversely, B maintains that ______________.
- Whereas A argues that______________, B______________.
- While A emphasizes______________, B______________.
- Unlike A, B believes that______________.
- Rather than ______________ like A, B______________,
- Whereas A argues that ______________, B maintains ______________.
Similarities and differences together
- While A condemns the weaknesses of ______________, B praises its strengths.
- A outlines the problem of ______________ in the abstract while B proposes solutions to the problem.
- Though A and B agree on the root cause of ______________, they differ on its solution.