Read or listen to this speech by an ordinary citizen from Harrisonburg, Virginia, addressing the members of City Council. Is this speech an argument? How can you tell?
Members of the City Council, thank you for allowing me to speak this evening. Something needs to be done about the "T" intersection where Vine Street meets Second Avenue. As you know, that location has been the scene of both vehicle-vehicle and vehicle-pedestrian accidents this year. In fact, police accident reports over the past five years show that the number of accidents at that intersection has almost tripled. This intersection is a danger to the public, and it is the duty of this council to protect the public!
Question
Is there a claim in this speech? Does the speaker provide reasons and evidence?
The speaker makes this claim: Something must be done about the intersection of Vine Street and Second Avenue. There is evidence, too: a history of increased numbers of vehicle-vehicle and vehicle-pedestrian accidents at that intersection. And reasons are given: The intersection is a public danger, and the duty of the city council is to protect the public from such dangers.
Because the speech includes a claim and support for the claim, this speech is an argument.
