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Lesson Plan
EngageNY

Evaluating an Argument: The Polyface Local Sustainable

For Teachers 8th Standards
Who has the better argument? Class members work in small groups to compare the arguments on the Example of Strong and Flawed Arguments sheet. They then analyze Michael Pollan’s argument on pages 161–166 of The Omnivore’s Dilemma and...
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Worksheet
Student Handouts

Ad Hominem Arguments

For Students 7th - 12th Standards
Give your class a lesson in logical reasoning. This activity, which focuses on ad hominem arguments, goes step by step through an example. After examining the argument, learners assess a second conversation for ad hominem arguments and...
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Organizer
Student Handouts

Debate Notes Worksheet

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
Whether your young orators are preparing for an in-class debate, or you are presenting a video of a debate to your class, this is an easy-to-use template that will help them organize the major arguments of each debate position, as well...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Press Review

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
How can word choice affect a political speech? Middle and high schoolers examine the text of the 1999 State of the Union Address, and then determine how newspaper articles and television reports describe and analyze the event. Use this...
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Lesson Plan
iCivics

Emphasize Minimize

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
Encourage your class members to consider what points they are really emphasizing when they are making an argument, whether in writing or in speech. Watch out though, as this lesson may just leave your learners eager to debate you!
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Lesson Plan
PBS

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

For Teachers 7th - 12th Standards
What rights are guaranteed to students? Do they align with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was approved by the United Nations in 1948? Middle and high schoolers present persuasive arguments about the rights they believe...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Analyzing a Writer's Stance

For Teachers 7th - Higher Ed
Should college admissions decisions be based on whether whose family members attended? Secondary students read and respond to a New York Times article on the issue of 'legacy preferences' in college admissions. Following class...
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Lesson Plan
EngageNY

End of Unit Assessment Parts 1 and 2: Evaluating Arguments and Claims

For Teachers 8th Standards
Which came first: the chicken or the egg? As part of the end-of-unit assessment for The Omnivore’s Dilemma, scholars watch a video about organic eggs versus conventional farm eggs. They use graphic organizers to collect evidence as they...
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Writing
Scholastic

Debate Prompt

For Students 5th - 9th Standards
Should the government rate music? Are teen juries a good idea? Is space exploration worth the money? Your learners will think critically to tackle these interesting questions, and practice their ability to form persuasive arguments by...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Persuasive Speech Assignment

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Practice using concrete evidence from various sources to back up an argument. The lesson emphasizes the use of support in a persuasive speech, as well as the importance of appealing to an audience's logic and emotions. You could modify...
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Lesson Plan
Inter-Lakes School District

4 Corner Debate

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Strongly agree? Agree? Disagree? Or strongly disagree? Here's a 4 Corner Debate format that requires class members to collaborate and build an argument to support their stance on a controversial issue.
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Activity
Worksheet Web

Language – Debating

For Students 7th - 9th Standards
Having a debate doesn't mean you're fighting. Introduce middle schoolers to debate with a resource which distinguishes between an quarrel and a debate, describes the debate process and format, and presents some possible debate topics.
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Unit Plan
Curated OER

Teaching Debate to ESL Students

For Teachers 7th - 10th Standards
Language learners use the debate format to practice formulating, expressing, and defending their ideas. Working in teams, class members develop resolutions, use opinion indicators to express their opinions and reasons, and prepare...
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Lesson Plan
2
2
Curated OER

Search Warranted?

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
Young readers work on evaluating claims in a piece of informational text with the article "In New York, It's Open Bag or Find Exits" from the New York Times. They analyze current search procedures implemented to fight terrorism and...
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Lesson Plan
EngageNY

Writing and Argument Essay: Peer Critique with Rubric (Chapters 29-31, Including Synthesis of Scenes in Previous Chapters)

For Teachers 8th Standards
Hungry? Try a quote sandwich! Writers discover the concept of using a quote sandwich to introduce and analyze a quote in an argumentative essay properly. Additionally, pupils engage in peer critiques, analyzing each other's drafts and...
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Lesson Plan
EngageNY

Writing an Argument Essay: Planning the Essay

For Teachers 8th Standards
It's time for a quote sandwich! Using the resource, pupils learn about the three parts of an effective quotation: introduction, quote, and analysis. Scholars use the model to peer critique each others' writing to show what they learned.
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Lesson Plan
1
1
Curated OER

Transition Words and Phrases: Road Signs for the Reader

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
Therefore! However! Furthermore! Explore the power of transition words and phrases. Signal your readers by suggesting the relationship between different thoughts or points. Help them demonstrate an understanding of word relationships. 
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Lesson Plan
1
1
Curated OER

Pig Products

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
How do you feel about cloning? This issue is highly debated, so educate your class before they participate in a similar debate! Read a New York Times article related to the use of cloned pig organs for human transplants. Groups develop...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Echo, Echo, Echo, Each can help others

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students discuss and research arguments about philanthropy. In this persuasive speech writing lesson, students choose a needed project for the community and present the reasons for the project through an original persuasive speech....
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Lesson Plan
iCivics

So You Think You Can Argue

For Teachers 5th - 9th Standards
What defines an argument, and how can someone properly formulate a counterargument? This resource provides two options—an interactive PowerPoint presentation or worksheet—that will support your learners as they begin to explore how to...
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Activity
iCivics

Drafting Board: Military Intervention

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
Should countries use their militaries to stop humanitarian crises in other countries? Learners make claims, organize their reasoning, and provide evidence for their arguments with this rich resource.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

I Really Love This More

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Young language arts learners choose between two activities and then attempt to convince their classmates of their choice as a way of practicing persuasive speech. This particular lesson uses Valentine's Day as a theme; learners chose...
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Activity
1
1
Do2Learn

Sharing Materials

For Teachers Pre-K - 12th
If you've ever broken up an argument about a toy or classroom item, you know how difficult it is to convince class members to share. The concept is even more complex for those with autism spectrum disorder and for learners who have...
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Handout
Southern Illinois University

Subject-Verb Agreement

For Students 4th - 8th Standards
Your writing lessons may be all about solid arguments, but in grammar, it's all about agreement! Learners practice identifying proper and improper verb form in a worksheet focused on subject-verb agreement and indefinite pronouns.

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