6th grade · English Language Arts · Unit 3 of 12
Claims, evidence and counterarguments
Building an argument: stating a claim, choosing the strongest evidence, recognizing counterarguments and rebuttals, spotting persuasive techniques and ordering a persuasive paragraph.
Arizona Academic Standards learning standard: 6.W.1; 6.RI.8 · claims, evidence and counterarguments
Children can open this short lesson before they practice.
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
In the Arizona Academic Standards, 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: Arizona Department of Education
A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.
Question 1
Which sentence is the writer's rebuttal (the answer to the other side)?
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.
Hint: A rebuttal answers the worry. Look for a signal word like “However.”
Question 2
Which sentence presents a counterargument?
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.
Some neighbors worry that a bike lane will take away parking spots.
Hint: A counterargument is what someone on the other side might say.
Question 3
Which is the strongest rebuttal to this counterargument?
A homework club would cost too much to run.
Parent volunteers and older students could run the club at no cost.
Hint: A strong rebuttal answers the exact worry. This worry is about cost.
Question 4
Which evidence best supports this claim?
Our school should plant a vegetable garden.
Gardening teaches students where food comes from, and the harvest can be shared with the cafeteria.
Hint: Choose the reason that explains why a garden would help the school.
Question 5
Which sentence presents a counterargument?
Our school should start a composting program. Every day, our cafeteria throws away bags of fruit peels and vegetable scraps. Compost would turn that waste into rich soil for the school garden. Some people worry that compost bins will smell. However, a covered bin that is turned regularly has very little odor. Starting a program now would help our school waste less and grow more.
Some people worry that compost bins will smell.
Hint: A counterargument is what someone on the other side might say.
Question 6
Which persuasive technique does this use?
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Bandwagon (everyone's doing it)
Hint: The ad says lots of other people are doing it, so you should too.