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El Paso Community College
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EPCC Summer Program 2020- Evaluating Online Sources

Target audience: ages 8 through 13. Dates: June 8-26, Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 3-4pm

Author's Argument

Part 1. Engagement: News Article/Video

Teaching Strategy/Instructional Procedure: Conversing 

Learning Strategy/ Procedure: share out

Instructions: Do your parents ever tell you “don’t argue?” What is an argument? Let’s watch this and discuss:

Weise, E. Sep. 23, 2019. 'How dare you?' Read Greta Thunberg's emotional climate change speech to UN and world leaders. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2019/09/23/greta-thunberg-tells-un-summit-youth-not-forgive-climate-inaction/2421335001/   

 

Part 2. Direct instruction: Modeling argument analysis

I do: I model how to break down a statement into argument parts using the Toulmin Model

We do: We will look at an issues article and figure out what argument it is making.  

Teaching Strategy/Instructional Procedure: Toulmin Model

Learning Strategy/ Procedure: Toulmin Model

Instructions: Use the Toulmin Model

 

 

Part 3. Guided Practice:

Elaboration: You do- Watch this video on whether students should have homework, and analyze it using the Toulmin method: http://neatoday.org/2014/05/13/should-schools-be-done-with-homework/  

 

 

Instructions: Refer to the videos above. Can you select the elements of a “good” and a “bad” argument?

 

“Good” arguments include …

“Bad” arguments are missing …

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What other things might you have to consider?

 

Part 4: Analyzing an Author's Argument. 

Instructions: Use the resources below to find an article on a "controversial" or current topic. Next, use the Toumlin Method to figure out what the augment is. What is missing? What would make the argument stronger? What weaknesses does the argument have?

Resources: Either Texshare databases (Credo/Opposing Viewpoints), or Helpful Internet Websites listed in the EPCC Library catalog (http://epcc.libguides.com/internet) - career and current topics tab.

 

Part 5: Counterarguments 

Instructions: Now that you have some idea of the strengths and weaknesses of an author's argument, find an article that offers an opposing viewpoint. 

 

Now, consider the different viewpoints. How did the new information strengthen or weaken the firt author's arguments? What is still missing? What would you add to this information, or debate? 

 

 

 

 

 

Toulmin model —a model of argument (Adapted from Leslie, 2019, pp., 151-152)

Toulmin model —a model of argument

Reference(s):

Leslie, P. (2016). Dictionary of Debate and Public Speaking. New York, NY: International Debate Education Association. Pp. 151- 152.

- by Adrian M. Spring, 2020

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