Question 17

Effective support in an argumentative essay should be relevant and sufficient to back up the thesis.

Support in an argumentative essay must provide relevant and sufficient evidence to substantiate the thesis statement. This ensures that the argument is compelling and persuasive to the audience.

A) Focus on quantity over quality

This option is incorrect because merely increasing the quantity of evidence does not enhance the argument. Effective support prioritizes quality, ensuring that each piece of evidence directly contributes to the argument and reinforces the thesis.

B) Be relevant and sufficient to back up the thesis

This option is correct as effective support must be both relevant and sufficient. Relevant evidence directly relates to the thesis and strengthens the argument, while sufficient evidence provides enough information to convince the audience of the validity of the claims made.

C) Be derived from a single source for consistency

Choosing support from a single source compromises the argument's credibility. Relying on one perspective may lead to bias and a lack of comprehensive understanding, making this option incorrect.

D) Include only personal opinions

This option is incorrect because personal opinions alone do not constitute effective support. An argumentative essay requires evidence-based support that includes facts, statistics, and researched viewpoints rather than just personal beliefs.

Conclusion

The correct answer, B, emphasizes the necessity for support in an argumentative essay to be both relevant and sufficient, which helps to create a strong, persuasive argument. Options A, C, and D fail to meet the criteria for effective argumentative support, as they either prioritize quantity over quality, limit the scope of sources, or rely solely on subjective opinions, undermining the overall effectiveness of the essay.