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6th grade · English Language Arts · Unit 3 of 12

Make Your Case

Claims, evidence and counterarguments

What your child practices

Building an argument: stating a claim, choosing the strongest evidence, recognizing counterarguments and rebuttals, spotting persuasive techniques and ordering a persuasive paragraph.

Alabama Course of Study content standard: 6.2; 6.7 · claims, evidence and counterarguments

How we explain it

Children can open this short lesson before they practice.

  1. A claim is the position you argue for. Back it with strong, specific evidence.
  2. A counterargument is the other side. A rebuttal answers it.
  3. Persuasive techniques include rhetorical questions (asked for effect, not an answer) and strong emotional words.

Example: “Don’t we all want a safer playground?” Which persuasive technique is this? The writer doesn’t expect a real answer. A question asked for effect is a rhetorical question. Answer: Rhetorical question

Make Your Case in Alabama

In the Alabama Course of Study, this is unit 3 of 12 in 6th grade English Language Arts, after Connotation & Tone and before Agreement.

Gradelings describes a child's practice on this unit as Beginning, Approaching, Meeting or Exceeding (Four practice steps). That reflects practice, not a report-card mark: the teacher decides the mark.

Source: Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE)

Sample questions

A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.

  1. Question 1

    Which is the STRONGEST evidence for this claim?

    Claim

    Our community should build a skate park.

    • Some people already skateboard on sidewalks.
    • A survey of 300 local youth found that 180 would use a skate park every week.
    • Everyone wants a skate park.
    • My friends and I think a skate park would be cool.

  2. Question 2

    Which persuasive technique does this use?

    Join the thousands of students who already use this homework app!

    • Rhetorical question
    • Expert opinion
    • Facts and statistics
    • Bandwagon (everyone's doing it)

  3. Question 3

    Which sentence is a counterargument to this claim?

    Claim

    Our school should have a longer lunch break.

    • Students who eat slowly often can't finish their food.
    • In conclusion, our school needs a longer lunch break.
    • Some people say a longer lunch would make the school day end later.
    • A longer lunch would give students time to eat and play.

  4. Question 4

    Which persuasive technique does this use?

    Dr. Ana Ruiz, a children's dentist, recommends brushing your teeth twice a day.

    • Emotional appeal
    • Expert opinion
    • Bandwagon (everyone's doing it)
    • Facts and statistics

  5. Question 5

    Put this persuasive paragraph in a logical order.

    • For instance, students can take turns feeding the pet and cleaning its home.
    • First, caring for a pet teaches responsibility.
    • For these reasons, a class pet would be a great addition to any classroom.
    • Every classroom should have a class pet.
    • Second, watching an animal can help people feel calm.

  6. Question 6

    Which sentence is the writer's rebuttal (the answer to the other side)?

    A Safer Street

    Our town should add a bike lane on Maple Street. Right now, students who bike to school must ride beside fast-moving cars. A painted lane would give riders their own safe space. Some neighbors worry that a bike lane will take away parking spots. However, most homes on the street have driveways, and the lane would remove only six spots. A bike lane would make the street safer for everyone.

    • However, most homes on the street have driveways, and the lane would remove only six spots.
    • Right now, students who bike to school must ride beside fast-moving cars.
    • Some neighbors worry that a bike lane will take away parking spots.
    • Our town should add a bike lane on Maple Street.

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