So You Think You CanSo You Think You Can

ARGUE?ARGUE?

Arguments can be very calm. An argument in Arguments can be very calm. An argument in writing is silent!writing is silent!

MYTHMYTH

REALITYREALITY

An argument is just people yelling at each other.An argument is just people yelling at each other.

Common Myths about Arguing

Common Myths about Arguing

Making an argument has nothing to do with how Making an argument has nothing to do with how you feel. you feel.

MYTHMYTH

REALITYREALITY

You have to totally believe in what you are You have to totally believe in what you are arguing.arguing.

Most of the time, the two sides of an argument Most of the time, the two sides of an argument are just different points of view. Neither side is are just different points of view. Neither side is really right or wrong.really right or wrong.

Common Myths about Arguing

MYTHMYTH

REALITYREALITY

Every argument has a right and wrong side.Every argument has a right and wrong side.

A lot of great arguing takes place on paper, A lot of great arguing takes place on paper, where you can take as much time as you need where you can take as much time as you need to think everything through.to think everything through.

MYTHMYTH

REALITYREALITY

You can’t be good at arguing unless you You can’t be good at arguing unless you can think fast on your feet.can think fast on your feet.

Common Myths about Arguing

Why argue?To change someone’s point of view.To bring about action on someone’s

part.To convince others to accept your

evaluation of a concept, issue, or problem.

An argument …An argument … - Starts with a - Starts with a CLAIMCLAIM or a or a

statement that someone believes is statement that someone believes is true or should be true.true or should be true.

Kids should go Kids should go to school year-to school year-round!round!

Hey, wait a minute!Hey, wait a minute!- Here’s another example of a - Here’s another example of a

CLAIMCLAIM..

Kids should Kids should notnot go to school year go to school year round.round.

So … an argument has two sides.

For - Year Round For - Year Round SchoolSchool

Against - Year Against - Year Round SchoolRound School

I need backup!I need backup!Regardless of a person’s claim, he

needs EVIDENCE to support it!

For - Year For - Year Round SchoolRound School

Against - Year Against - Year Round SchoolRound School

Students forget what they have learned over the summer.

Students earn money for college with summer jobs.

Next you need to explain …how the evidence supports your claim,

using: common sense rules. laws. scientific principles. research. well-considered definitions.

ExplanationsExplanations of Evidence of EvidenceFor - Year Round For - Year Round

SchoolSchoolAgainst - Year Against - Year Round SchoolRound School

Students forget what they have learned over the summer.

- Teachers often have to spend the first month reviewing material that students learned the previous year when they could be starting on new material.

Students earn money for college with summer jobs.

- Middle school and high school students work all sorts of jobs during the summer to earn money. Businesses like restaurants, gas stations, and motels rely on these students as do home owners and parents who hire students for yard work or child care.

Good argument ...Good argument ...

uses what the other side CLAIMS, too. The opposite of your CLAIM is called a

COUNTERARGUMENT..

For - Year Round SchoolFor - Year Round School

Opponents to year round school claim that students will not be able to earn money for college. However, students will still be able to hold jobs after school, on weekends, and during the numerous breaks that occur during the year round school calendar.

MINI QUIZMINI QUIZTrue or False?True or False?

1.1. You can only make an argument You can only make an argument about something if you feel very about something if you feel very strongly about it.strongly about it.

FALSEFALSE

MINI QUIZMINI QUIZTrue or False?True or False?

FALSEFALSE

2. All arguments are equally 2. All arguments are equally strong.strong.

MINI QUIZMINI QUIZTrue or False?True or False?

TRUETRUE

3. A claim is a statement that 3. A claim is a statement that someone believes is or should be someone believes is or should be true. true.

MINI QUIZMINI QUIZTrue or False?True or False?

TRUETRUE

4. An argument can take place 4. An argument can take place without any yelling at all.without any yelling at all.

MINI QUIZMINI QUIZTrue or False?True or False?

FALSEFALSE

5. There is a right and wrong side 5. There is a right and wrong side to every argument.to every argument.

MINI QUIZMINI QUIZTrue or False?True or False?

TRUETRUE

6. You use arguments to persuade 6. You use arguments to persuade someone that your viewpoint is someone that your viewpoint is correct.correct.

MINI QUIZMINI QUIZTrue or False?True or False?

TRUETRUE

7. An opposing claim is known as a 7. An opposing claim is known as a counterargument.counterargument.

MINI QUIZMINI QUIZTrue or False?True or False?

TRUETRUE

8. All claims need evidence, not 8. All claims need evidence, not just opinions.just opinions.

MINI QUIZMINI QUIZTrue or False?True or False?

FALSEFALSE

9. An argument can take place only 9. An argument can take place only face to face.face to face.

MINI QUIZMINI QUIZTrue or False?True or False?

FALSEFALSE

10. A good arguer focuses only on 10. A good arguer focuses only on his/her claim.his/her claim.