SO YOU THINK YOU CAN

believes is or should be true.
Kids should be in school

should not have to go to school on Saturdays.

very strong.
Supporting arguments explain why the main argument is

school on Saturdays.
Supporting Arguments
Students need a rest.

at each other.

Reality
Arguments can be very calm. An argument in

what you are arguing.

Reality
Making an argument has nothing to do

(Bet you can think of one reason why school should be on Saturdays…)

wrong side.

Reality
Most of the time, the two sides of an

unless you can think fast on your feet.

Reality
A lot of

____________________________
persuade

something
To sweat on someone
To convince someone that something is true
To



school rules say students are not allowed to wear hats

Did Sarah really violate the rule?

the rule because her ribbon is not a hat, or
Sarah

What do you think?
(Wait—Don’t answer that yet…)

that you learn. “What you think” doesn’t really matter at

grass.” Misti avoided a neatly-mowed lawn but cut across another

Misti did not violate the rule because she walked on a

weedy area, not on the grass.

Misti did violate the rule because there was grass in

the area where she walked.

ate all but the corner of his sandwich, then tossed

Jason did not violate the rule because a goose

is not a duck.

Jason did violate the rule because the beach rule

means any water bird and a goose is a water bird.

to convince people why your main argument is true.
You do

which main argument each supporting argument supports.

Ready?
HAT OR NOT?

her head.
School Rule: A hat is anything that covers and

This argument supports the idea that Sarah did not violate the rule because her ribbon is not a hat.
This argument supports the idea that Sarah did violate the rule because her ribbon is a hat.



to protect Sarah’s head.
School Rule: A hat is anything that

This argument supports the idea that Sarah did not violate the rule because her ribbon is not a hat.
This argument supports the idea that Sarah did violate the rule because her ribbon is a hat.



all of Sarah’s head.
School Rule: A hat is anything that

This argument supports the idea that Sarah did not violate the rule because her ribbon is not a hat.
This argument supports the idea that Sarah did violate the rule because her ribbon is a hat.



head from rain or dust.
School Rule: A hat is anything

This argument supports the idea that Sarah did not violate the rule because her ribbon is not a hat.
This argument supports the idea that Sarah did violate the rule because her ribbon is a hat.



Sarah’s head warm.
School Rule: A hat is anything that covers

This argument supports the idea that Sarah did not violate the rule because her ribbon is not a hat.
This argument supports the idea that Sarah did violate the rule because her ribbon is a hat.



Sarah’s head.
School Rule: A hat is anything that covers and

This argument supports the idea that Sarah did not violate the rule because her ribbon is not a hat.
This argument supports the idea that Sarah did violate the rule because her ribbon is a hat.



head from sunlight.
School Rule: A hat is anything that covers

This argument supports the idea that Sarah did not violate the rule because her ribbon is not a hat.
This argument supports the idea that Sarah did violate the rule because her ribbon is a hat.



to Sarah’s head.
School Rule: A hat is anything that covers

This argument supports the idea that Sarah did not violate the rule because her ribbon is not a hat.
This argument supports the idea that Sarah did violate the rule because her ribbon is a hat.



better than others. Look at the four arguments below. Which

The ribbon is too flimsy to protect Sarah’s head from anything.
The ribbon does not cover all of Sarah’s head.
The ribbon would not keep Sarah’s head warm.
The ribbon is not fitted to Sarah’s head.

about something if you feel very strongly about it.

Making an

someone that something is true.

Exactly! The whole point is to

are stronger and more convincing than others.

in place, you will use a should/should not argument.

When there

someone claims is or should be true.

Whether you’re arguing that

any yelling at all.

We’re talking about arguments that are meant

side to every argument.

Most of the time, the different sides

big ribbon.
Um… Everyone is entitled to an opinion!

writing letters about important issues.


that your viewpoint is correct.
