Examining and Cross-Examining the Text

Applying George Hillocks’ Teaching Argument Writing to

Literature

Common Core State Standards

• “The ability to frame and defend an argument is particularly important to students’ readiness for college and careers.

• The goal of making an argument is to convince an audience of the rightness of the claims being made using logical reasoning and relevant evidence.

My Brother Sam Is Dead

TRUSTWORTHINESS

Honor? Loyalty? Consistency? Fairness? Unselfishness?

Opinionnaire• What is Trustworthiness?• Read the scenarios (on the handout) and

check yes or no after each paragraph.• On the lines below each paragraph write

the criterion or rule by which you decided whether the action is or is not trustworthy.

• Begin your statement, “For an act to be trustworthy, it must …”

Share your Criteria• Why does failing to

meet the criteria exclude an action as trustworthy?

• Is trustworthiness a virtuous quality?

Write a definition of trustworthiness

Include:•Criteria•Examples that meet and do not meet each criterion•Opening paragraph that lays out the general idea of what trustworthy action is.

So What?• “Our students have

to be taught to make a range of distinctions dealing with a concept and use those distinctions in making judgments.”

Back to the Book• “These extended

definitions amount to the backing that may be used to argue whether or not a character’s actions are trustworthy.”

• -Hillocks

Is Sam Trustworthy?• Read the selection: pages 34-35.

• Compare Sam’s actions to your definition of trustworthiness.

• Share with a partner.• Share with the class.

Additional Selections• Pages 50-60: Tim tries to steal the

gun back from Sam.

• Pages 176-181: Divided loyalties and the desperation of soldiers

Not (any more)