Grade 9 Argument & Rhetoric worksheet
from Gradelings · Name: ______________________
How to explain it
- Ethos appeals to credibility, pathos to emotion and logos to logic and evidence.
- Fallacies: a straw man twists the other side’s view; a false dilemma offers only two choices when there are more.
- Cherry-picking uses only the facts that help one side. Watch for loaded language and bias.
Example: A speaker says her opponent “wants to abolish all homework” when he only suggested less. What is this? She has exaggerated his real position. Attacking a twisted version of a view is a straw man. Answer: a straw man
Question 1
“If we let students use phones in class, next they'll want to sleep in class!” This is…
- a rebuttal
- a statistic
- ethos
- a slippery slope
a slippery slope
Hint: It claims one small step will lead to an extreme result.
Question 2
“Jordan is a famous actor, so his advice on nutrition must be right.” What is the flaw?
- It compares two options fairly.
- Fame is not the same as expertise.
- It quotes a nutrition study.
- It uses statistics.
Fame is not the same as expertise.
Hint: An expert on the topic is more credible than someone famous for something else.
Question 3
Ethos, pathos or logos? Sort each persuasive statement.
Sort into: 🎓 Ethos · 💗 Pathos · 📊 Logos
- 📈Studies show 82% of students improved.
- 🧮If A is more than B and B is more than C, A is more than C.
- 🏆Our award-winning team has helped thousands.
- 🐶Picture a lonely puppy waiting for a home.
- 🩺As a doctor for twenty years, I recommend it.
- 🌙No child should ever go to bed hungry.
🎓 Ethos: Our award-winning team has helped thousands., As a doctor for twenty years, I recommend it. · 💗 Pathos: Picture a lonely puppy waiting for a home., No child should ever go to bed hungry. · 📊 Logos: Studies show 82% of students improved., If A is more than B and B is more than C, A is more than C.
Hint: Ethos: credibility (“I’m a doctor”). Pathos: emotion (“Imagine how scared they feel”). Logos: logic and evidence (“Studies show 80%…”).
Question 4
What is a counterargument?
- Your conclusion
- A source list
- A point made by someone with an opposing view
- Evidence supporting your claim
A point made by someone with an opposing view
Hint: Good writers address counterarguments and respond to them with a rebuttal.
Question 5
Which is the strongest thesis?
- Schools should start later because sleep-deprived students learn less.
- Many students go to school.
- Schools exist.
- I like sleeping.
Schools should start later because sleep-deprived students learn less.
Hint: A strong thesis takes a position and gives a reason.
Question 6
“Ice cream sales and sunburns both rise in July, so ice cream causes sunburn.” What is the error?
- Treating two things that rise together as cause and effect
- Quoting an expert
- Using too many facts
- Not using numbers
Treating two things that rise together as cause and effect
Hint: Hot, sunny weather explains both. A link is not always a cause.
Question 7
“Either we ban all phones, or students will never learn anything.” This is…
- a survey result
- a false dilemma
- a balanced claim
- a fair rebuttal
a false dilemma
Hint: A false dilemma presents only two options when more exist.
Question 8
A graph's vertical axis starts at 90 instead of 0, making a small difference look huge. What is the problem?
- It can mislead readers about the size of the difference.
- It adds more data.
- It makes the graph more accurate.
- It shows the data in a different language.
It can mislead readers about the size of the difference.
Hint: Check the scale of a graph before trusting its message.
Question 9
What does ethos mean?
- Appealing to logic
- Appealing to the credibility or character of the speaker
- Appealing to emotions
- Appealing to humour
Appealing to the credibility or character of the speaker
Hint: Ethos builds trust: “I am an expert, so you can rely on me.”
Question 10
What is cherry-picking evidence?
- Quoting an expert fairly
- Choosing the freshest fruit
- Using only the facts that support your side and ignoring the rest
- Listing every possible fact
Using only the facts that support your side and ignoring the rest
Hint: Leaving out evidence can make an argument misleading.
Answer key
- 1. a slippery slope
- 2. Fame is not the same as expertise.
- 3. 🎓 Ethos: Our award-winning team has helped thousands., As a doctor for twenty years, I recommend it. · 💗 Pathos: Picture a lonely puppy waiting for a home., No child should ever go to bed hungry. · 📊 Logos: Studies show 82% of students improved., If A is more than B and B is more than C, A is more than C.
- 4. A point made by someone with an opposing view
- 5. Schools should start later because sleep-deprived students learn less.
- 6. Treating two things that rise together as cause and effect
- 7. a false dilemma
- 8. It can mislead readers about the size of the difference.
- 9. Appealing to the credibility or character of the speaker
- 10. Using only the facts that support your side and ignoring the rest
Want more than 10 questions?
In Gradelings the questions change every time and adjust to your child, with hints and kind feedback.