Teach Argumentation (Almost) Effortlessly

Editor's Notes

• #2: Argumentative writing has risen to the top of secondary educators’ list of priorities. In this session, teachers will learn specific exercises they can conduct with middle school or high school students that will help students exercise logic, distinguish claims from opinions and logical fallacies, and engage in well-informed debate. Supportive materials from other teachers will be shared.
• #5: Logos: Sheldon on Big Bang Theory Ethos: Leonard? Pathos: Penny What other characters exemplify these traits? What examples could we use with teens? Cartoon characters? “Argument” and “Persuasion” When writing to persuade, writers employ a variety of persuasive strategies. One common strategy is an appeal to the credibility, character, or authority of the writer (or speaker). When writers establish that they are knowledgeable and trustworthy, audiences are more likely to believe what they say. Another is an appeal to the audience’s self-interest, sense of identity, or emotions, any of which can sway an audience. A logical argument, on the other hand, convinces the audience because of the perceived merit and reasonableness of the claims and proofs offered rather than either the emotions the writing evokes in the audience or the character or credentials of the writer. The Standards place special emphasis on writing logical arguments as a particularly important form of college- and career-ready writing.
• #6: Advertising almost always relies on pathos or ethos. Would you buy underwear because a celebrity endorses it? Some people do, obviously.
• #7: The Duluth Trading Co. commercials are an exception. Even though they use humor, they do make logical arguments for their products – in this case, that their underwear is the most comfortable, and that’s why you should buy it.
• #8: Beer commercials are notorious for being illogical. If you drink Dos Equis, do you suddenly become more interesting? If you drink Budweiser, will you be able to attract the hot ladies? The advertisers are trying to make you think so!
• #9: 1st one is 6 minutes 2nd one is 13 minutes More great examples -- Lindsey Graham saying he knows Iranians are liars because of his childhood and parents’ pool hall: http://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2015-05-26/lindsey-graham-knows-the-iranians-are-lying-because-his-parents-owned-a-pool-room Explanation of the straw man fallacy (from PBS): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGZkCPo7tC0 Get Direct TV and get rid of cable (or terrible things happen to you): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZ80SVOHKoo
• #11: See https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/659/03/ http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/fallacies/ http://study.com/academy/lesson/logical-fallacy-definition-examples.html The Logical Fallacy Project on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXLTQi7vVsI
• #13: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/588/01/ Claims typically fall into one of four categories. Thinking about how you want to approach your topic, in other words what type of claim you want to make, is one way to focus your thesis on one particular aspect of your broader topic. Claims of fact or definition: These claims argue about what the definition of something is or whether something is a settled fact. Example: What some people refer to as global warming is actually nothing more than normal, long-term cycles of climate change. Claims of cause and effect: These claims argue that one person, thing, or event caused another thing or event to occur. Example: The popularity of SUV's in America has caused pollution to increase. Claims about value: These are claims made of what something is worth, whether we value it or not, how we would rate or categorize something. Example: Global warming is the most pressing challenge facing the world today. Claims about solutions or policies: These are claims that argue for or against a certain solution or policy approach to a problem. Example: Instead of drilling for oil in Alaska we should be focusing on ways to reduce oil consumption, such as researching renewable energy sources.
• #14: Claim Logical fallacy – slippery slope Opinion Logical fallacy – ad hominem attack Claim Claim Logical fallacy – straw man Something else – personal story? Claim You misrepresented someone's argument to make it easier to attack. By exaggerating, misrepresenting, or just completely fabricating someone's argument, it's much easier to present your own position as being reasonable, but this kind of dishonesty serves to undermine honest rational debate. Example: After Will said that we should put more money into health and education, Warren responded by saying that he was surprised that Will hates our country so much that he wants to leave it defenseless by cutting military spending.
• #15: Good concise explanations at http://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/myguru-blog/bid/214477/10-Common-Logical-Fallacies
• #17: Adapted from the argument talk protocol developed by Lucy Calkins and her colleagues at the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project.
• #19: Choose a side, yes or no. You must make a decision on the next slide…
• #20: Take a side on: “Potbellied pigs make good family pets.” See http://www.pigplacementnetwork.org/adopt/is-a-pig-right-for-you/ http://www.vettechcertificate.com/pets/pros-and-cons-of-owning-a-pet-pig/ http://teacuppiglets.weebly.com/proscons.html
• #21: Pig activity – do this with the audience. Each bullet comes up on click. Have people choose a definite side and stand on one side of the room for “agree” and one for “disagree.” Then if they start to reconsider their positions, they can move toward the middle. Lastly, if pigs aren’t good pets……… they’re delicious! (bad joke from my husband)