California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) English Practice Exam

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Which signal word would you use to advocate for a position in an argumentative essay?

Persuade
Summarize
Inform
Clarify

The correct answer is: Persuade

In an argumentative essay, the primary goal is to convince the reader of a particular viewpoint or stance on an issue. The word "persuade" is directly associated with advocacy, as it reflects the intention to influence the audience's thoughts, beliefs, or actions regarding a specific argument. When you advocate for a position, you are actively trying to make a compelling case, providing evidence and reasoning that support your argument while attempting to sway the reader to align with your perspective. The other options—summarize, inform, and clarify—do not embody the same intent. Summarizing involves distilling information into a concise form, which does not inherently advocate for a position. Informing is aimed at providing knowledge to the reader without necessarily persuading them, and clarifying focuses on making something easier to understand rather than promoting a particular viewpoint. Therefore, the choice of "persuade" aligns perfectly with the purpose of advocating for a position in an argumentative essay.