“Revenge of the Geeks” is an argument, a type of nonfiction in which a writer states a claim, or position on a debatable issue, and then defends that claim with sound reasoning and evidence. Evidence includes facts, data, information, explanations, anecdotes, quotations, examples, and any other details that support the writer’s reasons or main claim. When reading an argument, it is important to evaluate both the writer’s reasoning and the quality of the evidence he or she uses to support it. Directions: Answer the following questions.
1. How does Robbins support her claim that the qualities that make students outcasts in high school are those that make them successful in adulthood?
2. How does Robbins develop her argument that being popular in high school may actually work against people when they enter the adult world?
3. Use the chart to identify the types of evidence Robbins uses and to evaluate its credibility and relevance.
4. Write a paragraph in which you evaluate the validity of Robbins’s argument. Cite evidence from your chart as examples.