Have a look at the following terms:

• Pre-owned-vehicle
• Correctional facility
• Friendly fire
• Collateral damage
• Coalition of the willing

Discuss the accuracy of these terms with a partner and be prepared to share your responses.

Next, a note on:

The Essay of Argument . . .

1.    Goes for the brain:  its aim is to convince the reader through reason and logic.
2.    Thesis is used as a proposition:  a statement of supposed fact or truth that is being proved or defended.
3.    Argues fact and opinion, not taste.  Support uses careful reasoning and sufficient evidence.
4.    Uses convincing evidence.  Is precise.  Provides facts, statistics or illustrations, personal observation.
5.    Appeals to authority.  Uses relevant, timely statements and opinions of respected authorities to back up proposition.
6.    Appeals to common sense.
7.    Begins with sound premises.
8.    Avoids triviality.
9.    Is organized carefully; begins and ends with stronger arguments.
10.    Controlled tone.  Is moderate, reasonable and considerate.  Avoids sarcasm, ridicule, loaded diction, exclamation points, heavy absolutes (such as, must, at all costs, absolutely necessary).
11.    Avoids logical fallacies.
12.    Recognizes and anticipates arguments from the other side, which lend credibility to its arguments and gives the writing more energy, since the give-and-take of argument produces momentum.

Politics and the English Language questions