College Composition CLEP Prep Practice Exam

What are the three components of an argument?

1. Thesis, research, and conclusion

2. Claims, evidence, and counterargument

3. Introduction, body, and summary

4. Facts, logic, and analysis

The correct answer is: Claims, evidence, and counterargument

An argument is a set of statements that support a conclusion. It is composed of three essential components claims, evidence, and counterarguments. Claims are the main points or ideas that support the conclusion. Evidence is the information or data that supports the claims. Counterarguments are opposing viewpoints or objections to the argument. Option A (thesis, research, and conclusion) is not correct because a thesis and research are part of the process of developing an argument, but they are not actual components of an argument itself. The conclusion is the end result of an argument, not a component of it. Option C (introduction, body, and summary) is not correct because these are elements of a written piece, like an essay, that may contain an argument, but they are not the components of the argument itself. Option D (facts, logic, and analysis) is not correct because these are elements