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English · Grade 9

Argument, Counterargument and Reasoning

Learners take arguments apart and put them back together. They map claim, reasons, evidence and the reasoning that links them in a student argument about phones in class, test whether evidence is relevant and sufficient, learn to spot six common fallacies, and write a paragraph that states a counterclaim fairly before rebutting it. An optional Going further lesson weighs two letters on the same local issue and builds a qualified claim.

  • 5 lessons
  • About 140 minutes
  • Argument and reasoning check: 10 questions
  • Ways to answer: choose an answer, highlight a text, match pairs, put in order, sort into groups and arrange tiles
See plans Included with Family, Teacher and School plans. Open in PlayOwl

What learners will discover

  • Identify an argument's claim, reasons and evidence, and the reasoning that explains how the evidence supports the claim.
  • Evaluate whether evidence is relevant to a claim and sufficient to support it.
  • Recognize six common fallacies: ad hominem, straw man, false dilemma, hasty generalization, slippery slope and bandwagon.
  • Write an argument paragraph that states a counterclaim fairly and rebuts it with evidence and reasoning.

Lessons

  1. The anatomy of an argument 6 steps3 practiceabout 30 min
  2. Relevant and sufficient evidence 5 steps3 practiceabout 26 min
  3. Six common fallacies 5 steps3 practiceabout 30 min
  4. Counterclaims and rebuttals 5 steps3 practiceabout 32 min
  5. Going further: weigh two arguments 4 steps2 practiceabout 22 min
  6. Argument and reasoning check 10 questions at the end

Keep exploring

More 9th grade reading

Guide for grown-ups