Good Thinking: �Teaching Argument,�Persuasion, and�Reasoning
“Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.”
Kellen, you’re pitching next inning. Go warm up.
“Wow! Great! What do I do?”
Understanding argument
Teacher: Today’s discussion is about
concussions in football. Gabby, you start
us. What do you think?
Gabby: I think kids shouldn’t be allowed
to play football.
Jordan: What? Football is great!
Avery: I know! Did you see the Super Bowl?
I wanted Brady to make a comeback!!
Brady is awesome.
Olivia: Brady sucks.
Owen: I know you are but what am I?
Teacher: Today’s discussion is about
concussions in football. Gabby, you start
us. What do you think?
Gabby: I think kids shouldn’t be allowed
to play football.
Teacher: Why did you say that?
Gabby: Because you asked me what I think.
Teacher: No, I mean what is the reason you said
kids shouldn’t be allowed to play football.
Gabby: Because...you...asked...me...what...
Gabby: I think kids shouldn’t be allowed
to play football.
Teacher: Give me 3 strong reasons why you say
that.
Gabby: Well, no kids should ever be seriously
hurt. Football concussions seriously hurt kids.
Teacher: I’m sorry. That is only TWO reasons.
Gabby: I think kids shouldn’t be allowed
to play football.
Teacher: Give me 3 strong reasons why you say
that.
Gabby: Football involves violent crashes.
Violent crashes can cause concussions. Concussions
can seriously hurt and even kill people. Kids should
not be seriously hurt.
Teacher: I’m sorry, but that is FOUR reasons.
Gabby: I think kids shouldn’t be allowed
to play football.
Teacher: Give me 3 strong reasons why you say
that.
Gabby: Concussions can cause ringing in the ears.
Concussions can cause nausea. Concussions can
cause amnesia.
Teacher: Ok, Jordan, what do you think?
Family arguing at dinner
Paragraph definition:��Several sentences that develop�one central idea.
Argument definition:�� Be very specific. �Write down your answer.��
Statements that form an opinion
Logical progression of ideas
A claim backed by evidence
An opinion that reflects someone’s belief
Different people presenting their side of the story
Set of ideas
A debate around a central issue
Presenting a view and refuting another view
A genre of writing in which the writer emphasizes his opinion through evidence-based logic
Line of reasoning
A discussion between people in which each gives
reasons on how they feel about something
Parts of a paragraph:��A topic sentence�Supporting sentences�A concluding sentence
Parts of an argument:�� Be very specific.�Write down your answer.
Compare with others.
warrants
claim
belief
premises
statements
reasons
position
why?
thesis
main point
sub points
main idea
conclusion
pro/con
strong finish
assertion
view
line of reasoning
backing
issue
explanation
question
counterclaim
your opinion
another opinion
rebuttal
Give me reasons/claims to support your thesis.
State your claim/argument. Provide reasons for your statement.
Argument:
A group of statements
that lead to a conclusion
The simplest form of argument:
The syllogism
All men are mortal.
Socrates is a man.
Socrates is mortal.
Teacher: Today’s discussion is about
concussions in football. Gabby, you start
us. What do you think?
Gabby: I think kids shouldn’t be allowed
to play football.
Jordan: What? Football is great!
Teacher: Wait a minute, Jordan. Gabby
stated a conclusion. Can you tell us the
statements that led to your conclusion,
Gabby?
Gabby’s argument:
No child should be put in harm’s way.
Football causes harmful concussions.
Therefore, no child should play football.
Evaluating arguments
Does it add up?
Gabby’s argument:
No child should be put in harm’s way.
Football causes harmful concussions.
Therefore, no child should play football.
Evaluating arguments
Are the statements true?
All teachers love knitting.
Devin is a teacher.
Devin loves knitting.
Evaluating evidence:
a) Is there any evidence?
Gabby’s argument:
No child should be put in harm’s way.
Football causes harmful concussions.
Therefore, no child should play football.
Evaluating evidence:
b) Is the evidence good?
Evidence definition:�� Be very specific. �Write down your answer.��Compare with others.
backing
support
evidence
quote from the book
facts
example from the book
proof
quote
reasons
facts, etc.
evidence, facts, etc.
true facts
statistics
information from a reliable source
artifact that supports a conclusion
interpretations that support your claim
proven facts
Irrefutable statements
research
data
facts that support the problem
resources
Facts
Numbers
Examples
Quotes
Analogies
Caution #1
“Fact” is not a synonym
for “True”
Caution #2
Don’t confuse “quote”
and “source”
Evidence:
Facts: Concussions can cause seizures, dizziness, vision problems.
Numbers: Thirty-four percent of high school football players have
had concussions.
Quotes: “Although some concussions are less serious than others, there is no such thing as a minor concussion.” Dr. Neil Sullivan
Examples: Tyler Lewellen, age 16, died of a concussion playing for Riverside High School.
Analogy: A helmet-to-helmet hit in football can be as violent as a severe car crash.
Gabby’s argument:
No child should be put in harm’s way.
Football causes harmful concussions. Concussions can cause seizures, dizziness, and vision problems. Thirty-four percent of high school football players have had concussions. According to Dr. Neil Sullivan, “Although some concussions are less serious than others, there is no such thing as a minor concussion.” Tyler Lewellen, age 16, died of a concussion playing for Riverside High School. A helmet-to-helmet hit in football can be as violent as a severe car crash.
Therefore, no child should play football.
Heating up an argument��Persuasive tricks��
Bandwagon
Transference
Testimonial
Fear
Loaded words
Bandwagon
Transference
Testimonial
Fear
Loaded words
Repetition
Slogans
Plain folks
Beautiful folks
Hint: the conclusion is “Vote for Trump”
Gabby’s argument:
No child should be put in harm’s way.
Football causes harmful concussions. Concussions can cause seizures, dizziness, and vision problems. Thirty-four percent of high school football players have had concussions. “Although some concussions are less serious than others, there is no such thing as a minor concussion.” (Dr. Neil Sullivan) Tyler Lewellen, age 16, died of a concussion playing for Riverside High School. That could happen to you. Or to someone you love. A helmet-to-helmet hit in football can be as violent as a severe car crash. The response? Communities all over America have stopped playing tackle football. Communities all over America are protecting their children. Communities all over America are ending the brutality of football.
Therefore, no child should play football.
Enhancing arguments
George Lucas
Sound
Images
Make a visual argument
Video: Kid President “A Pep Talk”
goo.gl/xTkvWK
Reasoning� �
Generalizing
Global warming?
It was minus 12 degrees today!
It was super cold here today.
If it is cold in one place, it is cold all over the world.
Therefore global warming does not exist.
If it is ever cold someplace, then global warming does not exist.
It was super cold at my house today.
Therefore global warming does not exist.
� Attacking the person
Appoint a public defender
� �Derailing the train of thought
Appoint an engineer
�Confusing cause & correlation
http://www.tylervigen.com/spurious-correlations
Looking for bias� �Availability Bias
Looking for bias� �Confirmation Bias
Practicing Argument� �
vocaroo.com
Google Voice
www.google.com/voice
This image states a conclusion. What is it?
vocaroo.com
email: erik_palmer@comcast.net
Googlevoice: 720.383.7451
Flipgrid.com
Flipgrid.com/arguments
June2018GL
All teachers must be involved.
Colorado has a
state dirt
erik_palmer@comcast.net
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