Evaluating Arguments from Evidence

Mr. Anderson's video lesson focuses on evaluating arguments using evidence. It begins with an introduction to argumentation, explaining the components: claim, evidence, and reasoning. The lesson then evaluates a student's argument about whether certain sea creatures are fish, highlighting the importance of definitions and evidence. A second example involves determining if a shape is a platonic solid, again emphasizing the role of definitions and evidence. The video encourages viewers to practice evaluating arguments by identifying questions, claims, evidence, and reasoning.

What is the first step in evaluating an argument?

• Highlighting the claim

• Analyzing the reasoning

• Defining the question

• Identifying the evidence

Which part of an argument consists of observations and facts?

• Evidence

• Claim

• Reasoning

• Conclusion

What question was the student trying to answer in their argument about fish?

• Do fish have backbones?

• Do all fish have scales?

• Are clownfish, jellyfish, and starfish all fish?

• Can fish live outside water?

What characteristic is NOT part of the definition of a fish?

• Living on land

• Breathing through gills

• Having a backbone

• Having fins

What was the main issue with the student's original argument about fish?

• Lack of a clear claim

• Too much information

• Insufficient evidence

• Incorrect reasoning

What is a key feature of a platonic solid?

• All faces are different polygons

• It is a two-dimensional shape

• All faces are the same regular polygon

• It has curved surfaces

What was the student's claim about the shape in the platonic solid argument?

• It is a two-dimensional figure

• It is an irregular shape

• It is a platonic solid

• It is a regular polygon

Why was the evidence about the Egyptian pyramids considered weak?

• It was not logical

• It was not relevant to the argument

• It was not based on observation

• It was not a fact

What was missing in the student's argument about the platonic solid?

• Consistent evidence

• A conclusion

• A clear claim

• Logical reasoning

What is the importance of definitions in evaluating arguments?

• They are only needed for conclusions

• They complicate the argument

• They are not necessary

• They provide a basis for reasoning