ARGUMENTS OF JUDGMENT

From Teaching Argument Writing

by George Hillocks Jr.

English III

ARGUMENTS OF JUDGMENT Arguments of judgment attribute a quality

or characteristic to a person, group, object, or concept. Examples may include speeches or writing that give praise or place blame.

Examples of possible topics: Can education be separate and still be equal

for all? Does life begin at conception or only after

birth? Does our government have the right to intern

a group of people because they are ethnically or religiously related to a perceived enemy outside the United States?

DEFINITIONS AS BACKING FOR WARRANTS “Whenever arguments of judgment or

policy are likely to be challenged, it is nearly inevitable that the argument will include definition of terms that serve as part of the backing for warrants used in the arguments. The more serious the arguments, the more likely definitions will be invoked and defended.”

EXTENDED DEFINITIONS OF TERMS Include criteria (with examples and

contrasting examples) to help distinguish a term from similar terms

ACTIVITY #1: WHAT MAKES A GOOD MASCOT?

QUESTIONS How do you feel about our mascot? Do

you like it? Why or why not? What comes to mind when you think of

it? How was the mascot selected? If you were to select a different mascot,

what would it be? Why would you select it?

MASCOTS You’re about to see a selection of

different mascots. Evaluate the merits of each mascot:

- Do you think it is a good one?- If you like it, what makes it a

good mascot?- If you don’t like it, what makes

it a bad mascot?

EXAMPLES OF MASCOTS

EXAMPLES OF MASCOTS

EXAMPLES OF MASCOTS

WHAT CRITERIA MAKE FOR A GOOD MASCOT? Take a few moments to make a list of

criteria a good mascot will meet…

2ND HOUR SMALL GROUPS Group 1: Sarrah, Kendra, Brock, Stephen Group 2: Auston D., Keegan, Kirsten,

Emma Group 3: Colton, Baylor, Cory, Jessica Group 4: Gabby, Macie, Auston V., Noah Group 5: Tristan P., Bianca, Tristan M.,

David, Gavin Group 6: Selina, Sam, Stefanie, Brittany,

Nicole, Blake

6TH HOUR SMALL GROUPS Group 1: Sydney, Paige, Madison, Ethan Group 2: Freddy, Emily U., Alexis H., Jake Group 3: Autumn, Ashten, Payton, Chloe Group 4: Taylor, Meagan, Alyssa, Emily

W. Group 5: Alexis L., Brook, Raven,

Conner, Michael

SMALL GROUP WORK Your task is to propose four or five rules

(warrants) that a school could use to guide their selection of a mascot. Take this assignment seriously, please!

Each group will send up one representative to report on the rules.

The class will then determine a common set of criteria for judging a good mascot.

SMALL GROUP WORK (CONTINUED) You are selecting a mascot for a new

school. Before you make your argument of judgment, discuss the following questions:

- What features or characteristics do you associate with a gorilla? A miner? A

manatee? A lemur?- How do these characteristics

match the rules or criteria you have selected for a good mascot?

THE WRITING ASSIGNMENT Each student (not a small group) will

write a short essay (at least 3 paragraphs) making an argument of judgment for one of the mascots

Due beginning of class on Monday, Sept. 22

Must be MLA-formatted May be typed (double-spaced) or

handwritten neatly

EXAMPLE One reason the Canton Little Giant makes

an acceptable mascot is because it represents the history of the town of Canton well. The Little Giant mascot calls to mind a very successful basketball team from the 1930s, which was small but mighty. The press dubbed the team “the Little Giants,” a nickname which reflected the team’s tenacity. The town hopes that our teams embody this tenacity even today. Ideally, a good mascot will reflect a town’s history and/or culture.