10th Grade Strength And Weakness Of An Argument Lesson Plan

Topic:Defining criteria for assessing the strength and weakness of an argument

Objectives and Outcomes

• Understand what are major criteria for measuring strength and weakness of an argument
• Be able to apply these criteria in assessing the strength and weakness of an argument

Materials

• Handout with criteria for assessing the strength and weakness of an argument
• Examples of strong and weak arguments
• Grading rubric for assessing the strength and weakness of an argument

Warm-up

• Ask students to give examples of arguments they have encountered in their daily life.
• Encourage students to share examples that are strong and weak.
• Write down the examples on the board and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each one.

Direct Instruction

• Introduce the concept of a strong argument as one that is logically sound and based on evidence that is credible and relevant.
• Discuss the importance of identifying the premises and conclusion of an argument, and how to evaluate the strength of an argument based on the strength of its premises and the logical connection between them.
• Use examples to demonstrate the process of evaluating the strength of an argument, and have students participate in the discussion.

Guided Practice

• Have students work in pairs or small groups to analyze a provided argument (or one created by the teacher) and identify its premises and conclusion, the strength of each, and the logical connection between them.
• Have students present their analyses to the class and discuss their findings.

Independent Practice

• Assign a project in which students identify an argument in real life (e.g., a political debate, a sales pitch, etc.) and analyze its premises and conclusion, the strength of each, and the logical connection between them.
• Have students create a presentation or report to present their findings to the class.

Closure

• Review the key points of the lesson and have students give examples of strong and weak arguments.
• Ask students to reflect on the importance of understanding and evaluating arguments and how it can affect our thinking and decisions.

Assessment

• Observe students during the group and independent practice activities to assess their understanding of the concepts.
• Review and grade their presentations or written work for their ability to identify and explain the strengths and weaknesses of a given argument.