From Persuasion to Argumentation

Argumentation

Persuasion

Success Criteria

4d

Understand how the “parts” of argumentation work together to create impactful writing that matures over time.

Examine what each part of argumentation is: claim, support/evidence, and explanation/ commentary (CSE).

Create a claim using the Four Corners Strategy.

Examine an argument to recognize claims, support, and explanation.

Learning Objectives

Argumentative writing should be done as a response to reading and/or analyzing primary and secondary

sources.

NOTE!!!

The Parts of an Argument

- includes “evidence”

- also called “commentary”

Think C.S.E.

• what the writer wants to prove• must be proven with evidence• must be argumentative – for a certain interpretation or understanding of a subject

• is specific and makes a focused argument

Turn and Talk: What is a Claim? Discuss at your table.

Close Read: Watch with Purpose(look for his claim)

1. Determine the claim John Quincy Adams is making to the jury.

2. Discuss your answer with the table.

Consider the Amistad Video Clip

All men are free.

We’ll come back to this on Handout #4. Don’t forget this claim

from this Amistad video clip!

1. Each teacher gets a sticky note. Follow Handout #1

2. Groups will place their sticky notes on each of the four corners of the back of Handout #1.

3. Next, groups will synthesize all four answers to make the best possible claim on the back of Handout #1.

4. Discuss how you could use this strategy in your classroom. How would you change it to work for your subject, grade level, and student abilities?

Now, apply what you know about claims to text.

Handout #1 - Slip or Trip?Four Corners Claim 1e

Once you make a claim, you back it with support!

Support and evidence follow the claim.

What is Support/Evidence?

• must be relevant and verifiable

Example:Queenie claims Arthur slipped and fell, yet he is holding a glass in his hand.

Support/Evidence…

• could include quotes taken from text

Example:Queenie also said that Arthur was “coming down” the stairs, yet his body is facing upwards.

Support/Evidence…

• could be a warrant – common sense rules that people accept as generally true, laws, and thoughtfully argued definitions

Example:Murder is an intentional act of violence.

Support/Evidence…

What is the Explanation/Commentary?

You may not realize how much commentary you already hear!

• is an explanation in your own words

• explains HOW the evidence supports the claim.

• personalizes the argument -- taking someone else’s idea and making it your own.

The Explanation/Commentary…

Locate the Claim, Support, and Explanation

1. Look at the writing sample. Independently, underline where the claim, “support” (evidence) and the “explanation” (commentary) are all located.

2. With the person next to you, discuss what you found.

3. Was there enough support? Was there enough of an explanation?

Handout #2 – Support and Explanation in Writing Samples

Handout #3: Strategies for Argumentation

Remember…

You could use the acronym to help students organize a written argument.

C – claimS – supportE – explanation

Think C.S.E.

Handout #3: Strategies for Argumentation

R - restate question in your answer

A - answer, using a clear and explicit statementC - cite text

E - explanation, making a direct connection of your evidence to your answer.

R.A.C.E. is a scaffolding

strategy to help students write

better arguments. – an accommodation with the same expectation!

Barbara Blackburn, author of Rigor Made Easy, reminds us that “scaffolding strategies” support students to perform at high levels.

Remember the claim from the Amistad video clip?

Now you will apply what you’ve learned about support/evidence and explanation/commentary to John Quincy Adams’ argument.

1. Find two examples of both support/evidence and two examples of explanation/commentary.Write your responses on Handout #4.

2. Be prepared to discuss your answers at your table.

Close Read: 2nd Read with PurposeUse Handout #4

Close Read: Second Read with Purpose – Use Handout #4

Video Resources for Writing

http://www.wingclips.com/Two to seven minute video clips on thousands of topics! Use instructional expertise to match the clip with the lesson.

Implement argumentation strategies such as CSE and R.A.C.E. into your writing instruction.

Integrate a variety of primary & secondary sources and video clips into your lessons.

December: The Close Reading Protocol and Argumentation

Where Are We Going?

EXIT PASS

REFLECTION THROUGH EXIT PASS

4a