1. “The Secret to Raising Smart Kids” by Carol S. Dweck
Structure in Argument
“The Secret to Raising Smart Kids” by Carol S. Dweck

2. “Why waste time proving over and over how great you are, when you could be getting better?”
-Carol S. Dweck

3. Why this text?
Arguments come in many forms, from impassioned blogs to reasoned debates.
This text looks at an argument for two ways of viewing intelligence and scientific reasoning.
Which argument is more successful at which method leads to greater success in life.

4. As you read Focus on details that support each argument
Write questions that come up during reading.
Relate information that supports each argument.
Use the following TEXT FOCUS slides to guide you through the text.

5. Text focus
Lines 1-10 (1112.RI.2.6)
An argument is a type of writing or speech that tried to convince the audience to accept the writer’s ideas or to take a certain action. A successful argument will include ideas that are clearly presented to the audience.
Characterize Dweck’s style and use of language. Is she to the point? Is she drawn out and confusing? Does she use jargon or easily understood words? What do her word choice and sentence structure suggest about the audience she is trying to reach?

6. Text focus
Lines (1112.RI.2.6)
A claim is the author’s position on an issue, which usually appears at the beginning of the argument. The clain and details that elaborate on it may be signaled by words and phrases such as however, on the other hand, and but.
Cite the commonly accepted assumption that Dweck’s claim opposes.

7. Text focus Lines 48-77 (1112.RI.2.5; 1112.RI.4.10)
Cite and paraphrase the author’s first reason in support of her position.
Evaluate whether the evidence in lines convincingly supports her first reason.
Explain the structure of the argument in lines How does this structure affect your perception of the author as well as her argument?

8. Text focus Subheading Page 23 (1112.RI.2.5)
Subheadings act as cues that another point of support will be developed in that section.
Explain the focus of the part of the argument covered under this subheading.

9. Text focus
Lines (1112.RI.2.6)
Recall what kind of audience Dweck is writing for.
Identify was in which the author clarifies ideas in this paragraph.

10. Text focus
Lines (1112.RI.2.5)
When you look at evidence the author supplies, you need to determine whether it comes from a reliable or credible source.
Identify the source for the evidence presented in lines Is this source reliable? Why or why not?

11. Text focus
Lines (1112.RI.2.5)
Making an argument relevant to a wider audience helps increase its persuasiveness.
Cite evidence that shows the relevance of Dweck’s ideas to a wider audience.

12. Text focus
Lines (1112.RI.1.1)
When you read arguments, you need to be able to draw your own conclusions from the details presented to help you assess the validity of the author’s reasons or claim.
What does the author suggest about the correlation between mind-set and personal happiness?

13. Text focus
Lines (1112.RI.2.5)
An author should include a counterargument which presents and addresses possible objections or opposing views.
What possible objection is this paragraph addressing? How does the author show flaws in that line of thinking?

14. Text focus
Lines (1112.RI.2.5)
Sound Evidence is evidence that an be verified or backed up by another source. Anecdotal Evidence you must decide whether ir is persuasive based on the connections the author makes as well as their own knowledge.
IS the evidence in lines convincing? Why or why not?

15. Group practice Argument Evaluating Support Claim Reason Evidence
Counterargument
Evaluating Support

16. Individual practice Due Friday Analyze Structure p. 27
After reading page 27, complete this chart using the reading passage…
Term
Definition
Example from Passage
Claim
Reason
Evidence

17. Individual practice Due Friday Analyzing the Text p. 28
Answer 1- 8 in complete response format.
Performance Task p.28
Complete the writing assignment.
Critical Vocabulary p.29
Define the five words, then complete1-5.
Vocabulary Strategy p.29
Practice and Apply 1-5.