Elements of an Argument

How can I change the ways that

other people think?

Class Brainstorm

• Can you change someone’s mind?

• Should you have the power to change someone’s mind?

• How do you change someone’s mind?

• How do other people change your mind?

Class Brainstorm

• What are some things people do to change your mind that work?

• What are some things people do to change your mind that you do not like or do not work?

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12 Angry Men Clip• http://movieclips.com/5npA-twelve-angry-men-movie-its-the-same-knife/

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What do you think of when you hear these

words?

Claim

Evidence

Reasoning

Claims, Evidence, and Reasoning

= Elements of an Argument

Claim (noun)

To assert in the face of possible

contradiction.

Evidence(noun)

Something that furnishes proof.

Reasoning(noun)

A statement offered in explanation or

justification, connecting the proof

to the claim.

Scientific Reasoning

• Claim – The sun is hot.• Evidence – My skin feels warm.• Reasoning – My skin became warmer when the sun came up.

Social Reasoning

• Claim – My mom is mad.• Evidence – She is frowning.• Reasoning – She was frowning yesterday when she said, “I am mad.”

Political Reasoning

• Claim – Japan should join our international organization.• Evidence – Japan needs to

increase food supply.• Reasoning – Countries in our

organization will send food to other countries.

Create a C-E-R Chain…

• Your Claim – Something you think is true.• Your Evidence – What made you think it was true?• Your Reasoning – What about the evidence convinced you?

Mixed-Pair-Share

• Get out of your seats and share you C-E-R with someone who you have not talked to today.

C-E-R Reflection

• What was the most difficult part of this exercise? Why?

• Would this be a useful thing to know how to do? Why or why not?

• Why might this be a better way to present an argument?

• What happens if you try to present an argument without using C-E-R?