1. The Art of Argument
Session 1

2. DO NOW: Write your answer. Do not discuss.
We have lost 7 days of school this year. We now have to make up 3 of them. WITHOUT DISCUSSING IT YET, choose one of the following options, and give THREE compelling reasons that your choice is the best one.
We give up 3 days of our winter break in February.
We give up 2 days of our winter break in February and the teacher work day in March becomes a regular school day.
We add 15 minutes to the beginning of each day and 15 minutes to the end of each day for 2 months.
We add 30 minutes to the end of each day for 2 months.

3. Being a Part of an Argument...
Think about a time that you were involved in an argument where you felt REALLY strongly about your position.
Jot down what the argument was about, and what you believed.
Take a moment to share with your neighbor about the experience.
Start off with YOUR example.
THINK-PAIR-SHARE with neighbor after they write their own experience.

4. I want you to be able to be HEARD.
Our Purpose
Why are we studying this unit? I want to help you become more skilled at argument so that you can advocate for yourself- to be convincing and compelling!
I want you to be able to be HEARD.

5. What’s the point?
Today I want to teach you that when taking sides in an argument, it is important to start by weighing the reasons and evidence offered up by both sides, remaining open, suspending judgement so as to develop a considered opinion. And even that opinion, that position, is a preliminary one.
Look at the bolded words. What do these mean to you? What do they mean in the context of research and writing?

6. Words to Know
Weighing the Reasons and Evidence: considering all of the evidence before forming an opinion
Remaining Open: keeping an open mind while gathering and listening to all evidence
Suspending Judgement: not taking a side until you hear all of the evidence
Considered Opinion: an opinion that is based on a study, evidence, reason or logic.
Position: your point of view
Preliminary: an early version of a position

7. COMPETITIVE SPORTS FOR KIDS
Today...
We are going to look at an issue that is relevant to your life, if not personal:
COMPETITIVE SPORTS FOR KIDS
You will be able to look at BOTH sides of the argument before you make a decision about your POSITION.

8. To Research before Establishing Your Position in an Argument
Set up your note-taking system
Find sources on both sides of the issue
Read the title and lead of a source, decide which side the author seems to support, and file your evidence either in the “for” or “against” the issue side (or “other/facts/neutral”)
Read closely, be alert to evidence or ideas that inform the argument, pausing often to record especially important evidence.

9. Note Taking FACTS/ NEUTRAL PRO CON
One way to take notes when comparing opposing views is with a chart where you can organize information for both sides. How could we label this chart?
FACTS/ NEUTRAL
PRO
CON

10. Article 1: “Listening to Wisdom from a 10-year old Son about His Head Injury
Before we read- look at the title.
What can we take from the title without having read the article?
Does the author expose their position yet?
**ALWAYS read the title first- you can get lots of information from the author about what their position and argument may be before you even begin reading!

11. As we read... FACTS/ NEUTRAL PRO CON
Take notes on your chart as you go, like this: Read along with me while I start the article. Notice if anything stands out to you, then decide which side it would go to on your chart.
FACTS/ NEUTRAL
PRO
CON
*Teenagers dying after playing too soon after a concussion
*NFL athletes exhibit Alzheimer-like symptoms
*10y.o. Kid w/possible concussion drifts asleep on the sidelines
Read the first few paragraphs, ending with the line “Was this the moment i’d been dreading since his mother and I told him that, yes, he could play tackle football?” Then show the 3 examples on the chart.

12. Keep reading... And keep taking notes.
Make sure you think about the argument being made and the position of the author!

13. What is a considered opinion?
Exit Slip
What is a considered opinion?
How do you form one?