3.11: Common Summary Phrases

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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.