Assessing and Developing Assessing and Developing ArgumentArgument

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Assessing and Developing Assessing and Developing ArgumentArgument

Lesson ObjectivesLesson Objectives1)1) To understand the structure of an To understand the structure of an

argument.argument.2)2) To be able to recogniseTo be able to recognise

1)1) Argument IndicatorsArgument Indicators2)2) Reason IndicatorsReason Indicators3)3) Conclusion IndicatorsConclusion Indicators4)4) Intermediate ConclusionsIntermediate Conclusions

Assessing and Developing Assessing and Developing ArgumentArgument

Starter:Starter:

Answer the following question:Answer the following question:(OCR May 2006 Paper 2 Question 1)(OCR May 2006 Paper 2 Question 1)

Assessing and Developing ArgumentAssessing and Developing ArgumentFour million new born babies die around the world each year, 99% of them in poor Four million new born babies die around the world each year, 99% of them in poor

countries. A major barrier to progress in helping these babies has been the countries. A major barrier to progress in helping these babies has been the widespread belief that expensive ‘high tech’ solutions are needed to bring widespread belief that expensive ‘high tech’ solutions are needed to bring down death rates. But this belief is wrong. Recent research shows that just $1 down death rates. But this belief is wrong. Recent research shows that just $1 per baby would save 90% of the babies who die at birth in poor countries. per baby would save 90% of the babies who die at birth in poor countries. The solutions needed have been shown to be as simple as keeping babies The solutions needed have been shown to be as simple as keeping babies warm after birth and providing common antibiotics.warm after birth and providing common antibiotics.

Which of the following is the Which of the following is the best statementbest statement of the of the main conclusionmain conclusion of the above of the above argument?argument?

A)A) The solution to the problem of new born deaths in poor countries is far less The solution to the problem of new born deaths in poor countries is far less expensive than previously believed.expensive than previously believed.

B)B) There are major barriers to reducing the numbers of new born babies who die There are major barriers to reducing the numbers of new born babies who die in poor countries.in poor countries.

C)C) The solutions to reducing the number of deaths amongst new born babies in The solutions to reducing the number of deaths amongst new born babies in poor countries are simple.poor countries are simple.

D)D) We can easily afford the solutions to the problems of high death rates We can easily afford the solutions to the problems of high death rates amongst new born babies in poor countries.amongst new born babies in poor countries.

What is an Argument?What is an Argument?

Argument = Reason(s) + ConclusionArgument = Reason(s) + Conclusion

An argument contains a reason or reasons and a An argument contains a reason or reasons and a conclusion.conclusion.

The conclusion often comes The conclusion often comes beforebefore the reason(s). the reason(s).

A Conclusion tries to A Conclusion tries to persuadepersuade you. you.

Arguments = Reason(s) + Arguments = Reason(s) + ConclusionConclusion

Sweets are bad for your health Sweets are bad for your health therefore therefore you should not eat sweets.you should not eat sweets.

What is the reason in the argument above?What is the reason in the argument above? What is the conclusion?What is the conclusion?

Arguments – identify the reason and Arguments – identify the reason and the conclusionthe conclusion

Don’t trust David Cameron, he’s a politician.Don’t trust David Cameron, he’s a politician.

We must trust David Cameron, he’s the Prime We must trust David Cameron, he’s the Prime Minister.Minister.

It is raining outside so if you go out you will get It is raining outside so if you go out you will get wet.wet.

Because today is Tuesday tomorrow will be Because today is Tuesday tomorrow will be Wednesday.Wednesday.

More complicated argumentsMore complicated arguments

Swine flu can be passed from human to Swine flu can be passed from human to human. Swine flu is passed more efficiently human. Swine flu is passed more efficiently in crowds. Football matches have crowds of in crowds. Football matches have crowds of people. Therefore we should not attend people. Therefore we should not attend football matches.football matches.

How many reasons are there?How many reasons are there? What is the conclusion?What is the conclusion?

Reasons & ConclusionsReasons & Conclusions

Conclusions try to persuade you.Conclusions try to persuade you. Write down 5 conclusions.Write down 5 conclusions.

– e.g. ‘You should watch East Enders’. e.g. ‘You should watch East Enders’. Now write down a reason to go with each Now write down a reason to go with each

conclusion.conclusion.– e.g. ‘Watching soap operas makes you feel better about e.g. ‘Watching soap operas makes you feel better about

yourself’.yourself’. Tie each pair of sentences together with a Tie each pair of sentences together with a

conclusion indicator word.conclusion indicator word.– You now have 5 argumentsYou now have 5 arguments

ClaimsClaims

A claim is a statement or judgement that can be A claim is a statement or judgement that can be challenged.challenged.

Claims can be:Claims can be: FactsFacts OpinionsOpinions A statement of principleA statement of principle

Reasons and conclusions are claimsReasons and conclusions are claims

ClaimsClaims Claims are NOT arguments!!!Claims are NOT arguments!!!

““Everton are the best team in the land” Everton are the best team in the land” – this is not an argument.this is not an argument.– If you include a reason it becomes an argument:If you include a reason it becomes an argument:

Everton play in blue, therefore they are the best team in Everton play in blue, therefore they are the best team in the land.the land.– This is not a good argument because playing in blue does not This is not a good argument because playing in blue does not

affect performance but it is still an argument.affect performance but it is still an argument.– Can you write a better argument?Can you write a better argument?

Argument indicatorsArgument indicators

Argument indicators show you that an Argument indicators show you that an argument is taking place.argument is taking place.

BecauseBecause

SoSo

Reason Indicators (1)Reason Indicators (1)

SinceSince BecauseBecause ForFor The reason is thatThe reason is that Seeing thatSeeing that As is implied byAs is implied by Firstly…, secondly …Firstly…, secondly …

Reason Indicators (2)Reason Indicators (2)

Owing toOwing to Given thatGiven that May be inferred fromMay be inferred from In thatIn that As indicated byAs indicated by Inasmuch asInasmuch as For this reasonFor this reason

Reasons and EvidenceReasons and Evidence

Separate the reason(s) from the evidence.Separate the reason(s) from the evidence.

Evidence provides support for the reason.Evidence provides support for the reason.

An argument can be strengthened by An argument can be strengthened by providing providing crediblecredible evidence for reasons. evidence for reasons.

Standard Argument FormStandard Argument FormSimple ArgumentsSimple Arguments

R1 = ReasonR1 = Reason

C = ConclusionC = Conclusion

Standard Argument FormStandard Argument FormMore complex argumentsMore complex arguments

R1 = Reason 1R1 = Reason 1

R2 = Reason 2R2 = Reason 2

R3 = Reason 3R3 = Reason 3

C = ConclusionC = Conclusion

Standard Argument FormStandard Argument Form

R1 + R2 + R3R1 + R2 + R3

CC

In this case the three reasons go together to In this case the three reasons go together to lead to the conclusion.lead to the conclusion.

Standard Argument FormStandard Argument Form

R1 + R2 + R3R1 + R2 + R3

CC

Conclusion: ‘You should mentor younger Conclusion: ‘You should mentor younger students.’students.’

Write three reasons to support this conclusion.Write three reasons to support this conclusion.

Standard Argument FormStandard Argument Form

R1 + R2 + R3R1 + R2 + R3

CC

Conclusion: ‘We should reduce our C02 Conclusion: ‘We should reduce our C02 emissions.’emissions.’

Write three reasons to support this conclusion.Write three reasons to support this conclusion.

Conclusion Indicators (1)Conclusion Indicators (1)

ThereforeTherefore ThusThus SoSo HenceHence ConsequentlyConsequently In conclusionIn conclusion We concludeWe conclude As a resultAs a result

Conclusion Indicators (2)Conclusion Indicators (2)

It follows thatIt follows that ShowsShows ProvesProves IndicatesIndicates DemonstratesDemonstrates For these reasonsFor these reasons Must, need to, ought to, shouldMust, need to, ought to, should

Intermediate ConclusionIntermediate Conclusion

An An intermediate conclusionintermediate conclusion leads onto the leads onto the main conclusion.main conclusion.

An intermediate conclusion is also a An intermediate conclusion is also a reasonreason for the main conclusion.for the main conclusion.

Standard Argument FormStandard Argument FormIntermediate ConclusionsIntermediate Conclusions

R1 = Reason 1R1 = Reason 1

R2 = Reason 2R2 = Reason 2

IC = Intermediate conclusionIC = Intermediate conclusion

R3 = Reason 3R3 = Reason 3

C = Main ConclusionC = Main Conclusion

Standard Argument FormStandard Argument FormIntermediate ConclusionsIntermediate Conclusions

R1 + R2R1 + R2

IC + R3IC + R3

CC

HomeworkHomeworkConstructing an ArgumentConstructing an Argument

Write 5 simple arguments.Write 5 simple arguments.– 3 x simple with one reason3 x simple with one reason– 1 each with 2 & 3 reasons.1 each with 2 & 3 reasons.

Homework review next lesson:Homework review next lesson:

For your partner’s 5 arguments identify the For your partner’s 5 arguments identify the reason(s) and the conclusion.reason(s) and the conclusion.

Assessing and Developing Assessing and Developing ArgumentArgument

Lesson Objectives – How did we do?Lesson Objectives – How did we do?

1)1) To understand the structure of an argument.To understand the structure of an argument.

2)2) To be able to recogniseTo be able to recognise1)1) Argument IndicatorsArgument Indicators2)2) Reason IndicatorsReason Indicators3)3) Conclusion Indicators.Conclusion Indicators.4)4) Intermediate conclusionsIntermediate conclusions

Exit TicketExit Ticket

The conclusion is:The conclusion is:

““I should be allowed to leave the lesson now”I should be allowed to leave the lesson now”

What is the reason?What is the reason?

Everyone needs to think of a different reason!Everyone needs to think of a different reason!