Battle Bars! Intro to Argumentation

Objectives Students will be able to develop a thesis statement and two paragraphs which support that thesis statement. Students will be able to develop a thesis statement and two paragraphs which support that thesis statement. Students will be able to identify opposing viewpoints and attempt to challenge those viewpoints. Students will be able to identify opposing viewpoints and attempt to challenge those viewpoints.

Snickers vs. Kit Kat Imagine there are only two brands of candy bar in the world- Imagine there are only two brands of candy bar in the world- Choose a candy bar side with two even teams, get into groups Choose a candy bar side with two even teams, get into groups Your job is to defend your candy bar as the BEST VALUE Your job is to defend your candy bar as the BEST VALUE Get with your group and brainstorm to list several LOGICAL reasons your candy bar is the BEST VALUE Get with your group and brainstorm to list several LOGICAL reasons your candy bar is the BEST VALUE

Snickers vs. Kit Kat Once you have a list, elect a representative to write your top 10 list on the board Once you have a list, elect a representative to write your top 10 list on the board Next, your group must vote to choose your TOP THREE arguments for your candy bar (strongest) Next, your group must vote to choose your TOP THREE arguments for your candy bar (strongest) We will have a list of both groups’ 3 strongest arguments for their candy We will have a list of both groups’ 3 strongest arguments for their candy

Constructing Your Case In teams of two or three, write a thesis statement which expresses the idea that your candy bar is the best value. In teams of two or three, write a thesis statement which expresses the idea that your candy bar is the best value. Craft two short paragraphs of three or more sentences (the paragraphs must be linked with transitional expressions) for each point you've chosen for your side.

Presenting Your Case Return to your candy’s big group Return to your candy’s big group View the other team’s Top Ten list View the other team’s Top Ten list Brainstorm to come up with what YOUR team considers to be their TOP 3 strongest arguments Brainstorm to come up with what YOUR team considers to be their TOP 3 strongest arguments When finished, each team will read their own case first, then move on to challenge the arguments they chose for the other side Team 2 will do the same

What have you learned? Yes, candy is good. But also… Constructing a THESIS Constructing SUPPORTIVE REASONS (aka “contentions”) Anticipating OPPOSING ARGUMENTS REFUTING opposing arguments You’re ready to DEBATE!! Well…. Almost