7th Grade Argument Lesson 1

​Language of Change

By Donna Kapa

​Objectives

Students will identify persuasive techniques (ethos, pathos, logos) in short excerpts from famous speeches and explain how language can change opinions.

​Academic Vocabulary

persuasion
claim
counterclaim
evidence
emotional appeal
logical appeal
ethical appeal

Open Ended

Describe a time when you or someone you know changed their mind about something. What caused the change—words, facts, or feelings?

​Persuasion

Persuasion means using words to convince someone to think or act a certain way.

Example: Please recycle—it helps keep our school clean!

Multiple Choice

Which of these is an example of persuasion?

• The capital of Tennessee is Nashville.

• We should protect animals from harm.

• 2 x 2 = 4

​Building Blocks of Argument

A claim is the main point or belief the writer or speaker wants others to accept.

It’s like saying, “Here’s what I believe — and here’s why you
should too.”
Example: "Homework should be limited to 30 minutes per
night.”→ The claim is that homework time should be shorter.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following statements is a claim?

• All students should wear school uniforms to reduce bullying.

• Some people think students should wear uniforms.

• Research shows that teens need more sleep.

• Uniforms can be purchased online or in stores.

​Building Blocks of Argument

A counterclaim is the opposite point of view — what someone might say to disagree with the claim.

Example:
Claim: “Homework should be limited.”

Counterclaim: “Homework helps students practice and remember what they learn.”

Multiple Choice

Claim: “Online learning is better than traditional classroom learning.”

Question: Which is the best counterclaim?

• Some students enjoy working at their own pace online.

• Online learning saves travel time.

• Many students learn better in-person.

• Technology can make learning easier.

​Building Blocks of Argument

Evidence includes facts, statistics, examples, or expert opinions that support the claim and make it believable.

Example 2:

Claim: “Recycling helps the environment.”

Evidence: “According to the EPA, recycling one ton of paper saves 17 trees.”

Multiple Choice

Claim: “Video games can help improve problem-solving skills.”

Question: Which statement provides the best evidence for this claim?

• Most teens like playing video games after school.

• Playing games can be relaxing.

• Some adults don’t like kids playing games.

• Experts agree strategy games improve players’ focus.

Categorize

Options (9)

Organize these options into the right categories

Claim

Counterclaim

Evidence

Appeals

Open Ended

Think about a time someone convinced you to do or believe something.

Why did you believe them?

Because you trusted them?

Because what they said made sense?

Because it made you feel something?

➡️ Tell which reason fits best and explain briefly.

​What is an Appeal?

An appeal is a way of reaching people’s minds or hearts to persuade them.

Writers and speakers use appeals to make their arguments stronger.

Example:

“Recycle today to save the planet tomorrow!”

This tries to make you feel responsible — that’s an appeal to emotion.

​Pathos a.k.a. Feelings

Pathos comes from a word meaning “feeling.”

Root word for: sympathy, empathy, apathy,

It persuades by making people feel something—happiness, guilt, anger, pride, or hope.

​Pathos a.k.a. Feelings

Pathos comes from a word meaning “feeling.”

Examples:

“Imagine your favorite park covered in trash.”

“Think of the children who will grow up breathing cleaner air.”

Multiple Choice

Which example uses pathos?

• Experts confirm climate change affects weather patterns.

• Our city officials have college degrees in environmental science.

• Imagine losing your home to flooding caused by pollution.

​Logos a.k.a. Logic and Reason

Logos uses facts, numbers, or logical reasons to persuade.

It makes people think, “That makes sense.”

Examples:
“Research shows students who eat breakfast score higher on tests.”

“If we turn off lights when we leave, the school saves money.”

Multiple Choice

Which sentence uses logos, i.e., logic?

• I know you’ll agree with me because I’m your boss.

• Wouldn’t you love a cleaner campus?

• 90% of students say later start times help them focus.

​Ethos a.k.a. Believabilty

Ethos comes from a Greek word meaning “character.”

It persuades by making the audience trust the speaker or writer.
Same root word for: ethics, ethical

Examples:
As your school nurse, I recommend washing your hands before lunch.”

“Scientists agree that exercise improves your health.”

Multiple Choice

Which sentence uses ethos, i.e., believability?

• As a doctor, I can tell you that vaccines are safe.

• It feels good to help the planet.

• If you recycle, the earth will thank you.

Categorize

Options (7)

Organize these options into the right categories

Ethos - Believability

Logos - Logic

Pathos - Emotion

​Appeals at work

Now that you know how ethos, pathos, and logos work, let’s look at how real people have used them to change minds.

Each quote comes from a famous speech.

Your job: Decide which appeal is strongest — trust (ethos), logic (logos), or emotion (pathos).

Multiple Choice

Excerpt: “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”

Question: Which appeal is strongest in this quote?

• Ethos — trust in the speaker’s credibility

• Logos — logical reasoning

• Pathos — emotional appeal

Multiple Choice

Excerpt: “You may well ask: ‘Why direct action? Why sit-ins, marches, and so forth? Isn’t negotiation a better path?’ You are quite right in calling for negotiation. Indeed, this is the purpose of direct action. Nonviolent direct action seeks to create such a crisis and establish such creative tension that a community which has constantly refused to negotiate is forced to confront the issue.”

Question: Which appeal is strongest in this passage?

• Ethos — appealing to credibility and leadership

• Pathos — appealing to emotion to inspire

• Logos — reasoning and cause/effect explanation

Multiple Choice

Excerpt: “People are suffering. People are dying. Entire ecosystems are collapsing. Yet you all come to us young people for hope.”

Question: Which appeal is strongest here?

• Ethos — the speaker’s credibility

• Pathos — strong emotional appeal

• Logos — data and reasoning

Multiple Choice

Excerpt: I am in Birmingham because injustice is here. I am compelled to carry the gospel of freedom beyond my own hometown. I am here because I am the president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, an organization operating in every southern state. V"

Question: Which appeal is strongest in this passage?

• Pathos — appealing to emotions

• Ethos — appealing to believability

• Logos — appealing to logic

​Review

Multiple Choice

Which statement describes the relationship between a claim and a counterclaim?

• A claim and a counterclaim always agree

• A claim includes evidence for both sides.

• A counterclaim presents the opposite side of the claim.

• A counterclaim replaces the main argument.

Multiple Choice

Which type of appeal relies on facts, reasons, and evidence to convince the audience?

• Emotional appeal - Pathos

• Logical appeal - Logos

• Ethical appeal - Believability

Multiple Choice

Which kind of appeal depends on the audience trusting the speaker’s honesty or authority?

• Emotional appeal - Pathos

• Logical appeal - Logos

• Believability - Ethos

Multiple Choice

Which type of appeal uses powerful language or personal stories that make the audience feel sympathy, excitement, or pride?

• Emotional appeal - Pathos

• Logical appeal - Logos

• Ethical appeal - Believability