1. Taught through a legal example
Argumentation
Taught through a legal example

2. What are the steps?
Quick Brainstorm: Steps in a legal matter from filing of the police report to the closing arguments of the trial.

3. The Steps Identify the problem Collect evidence; research
Analyze the evidence to reach a conclusion (thesis)
Organize the evidence and analysis in a way that convinces others of your thesis
Present your argument

4. Identify the problem
Mr. A’s reported that his 2006, yellow H3 was stolen out of the parking lot at Venice Beach, CA
The car was new and did not have plates yet

5. Collect Evidence; Research
Belinda, a resident of Venice Beach who had no car before, was seen driving a yellow H3 with no plates the afternoon of the theft
Carl, a self-identified environmental activist who has launched a campaign against gas-guzzling SUVs, was seen at Venice within hours of the theft

6. Collect Evidence; Research
Darlene, Mr. A’s ex who feels she was short-changed in their bitter divorce, was heard threatening to “take what was hers” after she heard Mr. A bought an expensive new H3.
Evan, Mr. A and Darlene’s son, made a large deposit into his checking account the day after the theft on a check from a woman named Belinda

7. Collect Evidence; Research
Belinda pulled over in a yellow H3 with matching VIN to Mr. A’s sales receipt
Fingerprints found inside the car: Mr. A, Belinda, Evan; Fingerprints found on handle and windshield: Mr. A, Belinda, Carl, Darlene, Evan
Mr. A had the car washed the morning before he went to the beach
Mr. A’s beach bag, containing his street clothes, was found in the back of the car with nothing missing

8. Analyze the evidence to reach a conclusion (thesis)
Identify the problem to be solved
Who stole the car?
Who should be arrested and prosecuted?
Identify the important evidence and throw out the evidence that doesn’t matter

9. Organize the evidence and analysis in a way that convinces others of your thesis
Start with your thesis
______________ stole the car
Alternate between presenting evidence and analyzing how it supports your thesis
____________ occurred, showing that _____ stole the car because ____________.
Quick summary to recap your thesis

10. Revise your argument Craft and tighten your argument
Look at the other side of the argument and argue why it isn’t right
_______ didn’t take the car because ______.

11. Present your argument Writing Debate Presentation Speech Lecture Music
Artistic presentation