Battle Bars!Battle Bars!Intro to Argumentation

Objectives

Students will be able to develop a Students will be able to develop a thesis statement and two thesis statement and two paragraphs which support that paragraphs which support that thesis statement. thesis statement.

Students will be able to identify Students will be able to identify opposing viewpoints and attempt opposing viewpoints and attempt to challenge those viewpoints.to challenge those viewpoints.

Snickers vs. Kit Kat

Imagine there are only two brands Imagine there are only two brands of candy bar in the world-of candy bar in the world-

Choose a candy bar side with two Choose a candy bar side with two even teams, get into groupseven teams, get into groups

Your job is to defend your candy Your job is to defend your candy bar as the BEST VALUEbar as the BEST VALUE

Get with your group and brainstorm Get with your group and brainstorm to list several LOGICAL reasons to list several LOGICAL reasons your candy bar is the BEST VALUEyour candy bar is the BEST VALUE

Snickers vs. Kit Kat

Once you have a list, elect a Once you have a list, elect a representative to write your top 10 representative to write your top 10 list on the boardlist on the board

Next, your group must vote to Next, your group must vote to choose your TOP THREE arguments choose your TOP THREE arguments for your candy bar (strongest)for your candy bar (strongest)

We will have a list of both groups’ 3 We will have a list of both groups’ 3 strongest arguments for their candystrongest arguments for their candy

Constructing Your Case

In teams of two or In teams of two or three, write three, write a a thesis thesis statementstatement which which expresses the expresses the idea that your idea that your candy bar is the candy bar is the best value.best value.

Craft Craft two short two short paragraphs paragraphs of of three or more three or more sentences sentences ((the the paragraphs must be linked paragraphs must be linked with transitional with transitional

expressionsexpressions) ) for each for each point you've point you've chosen for your chosen for your side. side.

Presenting Your Case

Return to your Return to your candy’s big groupcandy’s big group

View the other View the other team’s Top Ten listteam’s Top Ten list

Brainstorm to Brainstorm to come up with what come up with what YOUR team YOUR team considers to be considers to be their TOP 3 their TOP 3 strongest strongest argumentsarguments

When finished, When finished, each team will each team will read their own read their own case first, then case first, then move on to move on to challenge the challenge the arguments they arguments they chose for the chose for the other sideother side

Team 2 will do Team 2 will do the samethe same

What have you What have you learned?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