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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.

Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards benchmark: 6.2.4.1; 6.1.7.1 · arguments and counter-arguments, and relevant evidence

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 Minnesota

In the Minnesota K-12 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: Minnesota Department of Education (MDE)

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

    Let's Compost!

    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.
    • However, a covered bin that is turned regularly has very little odor.
    • Every day, our cafeteria throws away bags of fruit peels and vegetable scraps.
    • Our school should start a composting program.

  2. Question 2

    Which sentence presents a counterargument?

    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.

    • Some neighbors worry that a bike lane will take away parking spots.
    • A bike lane would make the street safer for everyone.
    • A painted lane would give riders their own safe space.
    • Our town should add a bike lane on Maple Street.

  3. Question 3

    Who is the best audience for a letter asking for a crosswalk near the school?

    • people living in another country
    • a cookbook author
    • kindergarten students
    • local council members, who can approve it

  4. Question 4

    Which sentence is a counterargument to this claim?

    Claim

    Our school should have a longer lunch break.

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

  5. Question 5

    Which technique is this?

    Everybody is wearing these boots, so you need a pair too!

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

  6. Question 6

    Which persuasive technique does this use?

    Picture a shy puppy waiting at the shelter for someone to take it home. Your donation can give it a warm bed tonight.

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

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