Argument/Claim Lesson

Argument/Claim Lesson

By Mr Bell-7

Claim

Argument

Evidence

Explanation/Reasoning

Counterclaim

Rebuttal

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​Some text here about the topic of discussion.

Parts of an Argument

​Some text here about the topic of discussion.

Characteristics of a good claim: AIMS

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Your claim serves as the main point of your report or paper and should have the sole purposing of influencing how the reader acts or thinks. ​

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Multiple Choice

The acronym that depicts the four characteristics of a good claim is "AIMS." Select what each letter resembles......

• A: Arguable

  I: Interesting

  M: Manageable

  S: Small

• A: Average

  I: Interesting

  M: Meaningful

  S: Specific

• A: Arguable

  I: Interesting

  M: Manageable

  S: Specific

• A: Aim

  I: Intelligent

  M: Meaningful

  S: Specific

​Some text here about the topic of discussion.

Evidence: Proof from a credible source; facts.

Multiple Choice

True or False: "An opinion can be identified as an effective source of evidence."

• True

• False

​Some text here about the topic of discussion.

What is a counterclaim?

Multiple Choice

True or False: "The evidence of the counterclaim has to be slightly stronger than the evidence of the initial claim..."

• True

• False

​Some text here about the topic of discussion.

What is the purpose of a counterclaim?

Open Ended

How does the presence of a counterclaim strengthen a claim?

​Some text here about the topic of discussion.

What is a rebuttal?

Multiple Choice

True or False: "The rebuttal of an argument exposes the counterclaim, in effort to prove that the counterclaim in invalid."

• True

• False

​Some text here about the topic of discussion.

Example of a rebuttal....

Steps to Analyzing an Argument:

When reading, you will need to identify arguments in order to properly understand the main points. In paragraphs, a topic sentence often identifies the main claim or idea of the paragraph. This is usually the first sentence, but not always. To find it, follow the following steps:

1. Firstly, read the paragraph. 2. Next, ask "What is this paragraph about?" 3. Thirdly, summarize the content in your own words, and lastly, find the sentence within that paragraph that best matches that summary.

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This is likely the stated claim of the paragraph. Most other sentences in the paragraph provide reasons and evidence to support the claim made in the topic sentence. Reasons and evidence explain why and how the claim is true, and usually consists of quotes or ideas from other scholars, data, or facts. Let's look at an example.

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Some text here about the topic of discussion

Multiple Choice

"The story of Disney's "The Lion King" draws direct inspiration from Shakespeare's "Hamlet". Simba represents Hamlet, the successor of the King/Mufasa, who swears revenge on his evil uncle Scar/Claudius. Likewise, Simba's best friend Nala represents both Ophelia, a love interest, and Horatio, a best friend.

-Question: Which of the following is the argument presented in this text?

• Simba represents Hamlet, the successor of the King/Mufasa, who swears revenge on his evil uncle Scar/Claudius.

• The story of Disney's "The Lion King" draws direct inspiration from Shakespeare's "Hamlet".

Multiple Choice

“When a consumer product in some way has a negative impact on society, governments often move to place high taxes on those products to discourage use, for example high taxes on cigarettes and alcohol. Obesity should be viewed in the same light. With the high availability of soft drinks and junk food at an affordable low price, consumers are all but discouraged from eating healthy. A tax on such products would discourage mass purchasing and positively impact our society by curbing obesity rates.”

-Question: Identify the claim of the passage.

a) High taxes on a product discourage use

b) Low prices and high availability of junk foods results in an increased obesity rate

c) Taxes on healthy food items should be reduced

d) To encourage healthy eating, higher taxes should be imposed on soft drinks and junk food

• A.

• B.

• C.

• D.

Multiple Choice

“When a consumer product in some way has a negative impact on society, governments often move to place high taxes on those products to discourage use, for example high taxes on cigarettes and adult beverages. Obesity should be viewed in the same light. With the high availability of soft drinks and junk food at an affordable low price, consumers are all but discouraged from eating healthy. A tax on such products would discourage mass purchasing and positively impact our society by curbing obesity rates.”

-Question: Which of the following quotes supports the development of this passage's argument?( Hint : Identify the claim first.... then figure out how it was introduced. The claim "To encourage healthy eating, higher taxes should be imposed on soft drinks and junk food.")

• A. "Obesity should be viewed in the same light."

• B. "A tax on such products would discourage mass purchasing and positively impact our society by curbing obesity rates."

• C. With the availability of soft drinks and junk food at an affordable low price, consumers are all but

Poll

Advanced ELA Exit Ticket: Rate how confident you feel about mastering the standard "R.L. 6.8: Trace and evaluate the claim of an argument." 1-4... 1 is the lowest and 4 is the highest. (Be honest so we can conquer this standard and smash this ACT Aspire Test.)

• 1: "No Cap Mr. Bell, I need some more support on this standard.

• 2. I am somewhat not quite sure. I have a slight grasp on the standard but I will strive harder to understand.

• 3. I am in the middle of needing supporting and almost mastering this standard. A few more days of instruction and Ill be proficient.

• 4: No Cap! "Mr. Bell, this standard is so easy that is almost degrading to my brilliance."