Today is rung 4 of 13 on this topic
Tracing an argument: claim, reasons, evidence
Can do: Separates what an author claims, why they say it, and what evidence supports it — and spots when a step is missing.
Why it matters
Every essay they write and every article they read from here runs on this structure. Seeing it in others' writing is what makes it possible in their own.
What it looks like when it's wobbly
Treats the whole article as "information" and can't say what it was trying to convince them of.
⏱️ Two-minute check
Give an opinion piece. "What's the claim? What are the two main reasons? Which reason is weakest?"
Solid looks like: Claim and reasons separated, and a judgement about the weak one.
The full activity for this topic · 20 minutes
Argument Map
- 1Write the claim in a box at the top.
- 2Draw branches for each reason given.
- 3Under each reason, note the evidence — and write "none" where there isn't any.
- 4Circle the branch with the weakest support and say why.
- 5Ask what evidence would change their mind. That question is the whole skill.
If it's too hard
One claim, two reasons, no evaluation.
If it's too easy
Map two opposing articles and decide which argument is genuinely stronger.
Say this
"What would have to be true for that argument to work? Did they show it?"