So You Think You Can

1
So You Think You Can
ARGUE?
2
Common Myths about Arguing
MYTH
An argument is just people yelling at each other.
REALITY
Arguments can be very calm. An argument in
writing is silent!
3
Common Myths about Arguing
MYTH
You have to totally believe in what you are
arguing.
REALITY
Making an argument has nothing to do with how you
feel.
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Common Myths about Arguing
MYTH
Every argument has a right and wrong side.
REALITY
Most of the time, the two sides of an argument
are just different points of view. Neither side
is really right or wrong.
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Common Myths about Arguing
MYTH
You cant be good at arguing unless you can think
fast on your feet.
REALITY
A lot of great arguing takes place on paper,
where you can take as much time as you need to
think everything through.
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Why argue?

• To change someones point of view.
• To bring about action on someones part.
• To convince others to accept your evaluation of a
  concept, issue, or problem.

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An argument

• - Starts with a CLAIM or a statement that
  someone believes is true or should be true.

Kids should go to school year-round!
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Hey, wait a minute!

• - Heres another example of a CLAIM.

Kids should not go to school year round.
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So an argument has two sides.
For - Year Round School Against - Year Round School



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I need backup!

• Regardless of a persons claim, he needs EVIDENCE
  to support it!

For - Year Round School Against - Year Round School
Students forget what they have learned over the summer. Students earn money for college with summer jobs.


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Next you need to explain

• how the evidence supports your claim, using
• common sense rules.
• laws.
• scientific principles.
• research.
• well-considered definitions.

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Explanations of Evidence
For - Year Round School Against - Year Round 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.
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Good argument ...

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

For - 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.
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MINI QUIZ
True or False?

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

FALSE
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MINI QUIZ
True or False?
2. All arguments are equally strong.
FALSE
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MINI QUIZ
True or False?
3. A claim is a statement that someone believes
is or should be true.
TRUE
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MINI QUIZ
True or False?
4. An argument can take place without any
yelling at all.
TRUE
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MINI QUIZ
True or False?
5. There is a right and wrong side to every
argument.
FALSE
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MINI QUIZ
True or False?
6. You use arguments to persuade someone that
your viewpoint is correct.
TRUE
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MINI QUIZ
True or False?
7. An opposing claim is known as a
counterargument.
TRUE
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MINI QUIZ
True or False?
8. All claims need evidence, not just opinions.
TRUE
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MINI QUIZ
True or False?
9. An argument can take place only face to face.
FALSE
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MINI QUIZ
True or False?
10. A good arguer focuses only on his/her claim.
FALSE