Argument and Debate Bundle

Teach students how to develop coherent arguments through the selection of strong evidence to support claims and the ability to identify reliable sources and recognize faulty reasoning. The resources in this bundle are ideal for supporting a debate or persuasive writing unit. Included are two fun activities, Silly Food Debates and Who Should Go, which students can use to practice their debate and argument skills.

Included in this bundle:

• 79 Slides
• 6 Graphic Organizers/ Anchor Charts
• 6 Student Learning Activities
• 5 Writing Prompts/ Assignments

How to Identify Reliable Sources of Information 

This resource includes a colorful PDF presentation and learning activities to familiarize students with the TRUST acronym to identify reliable sources.

How to Select Strong Textual Evidence for Argumentative Writing 

This resource includes a colorful PDF presentation and learning activities to help students select strong textual evidence to develop their claims in argumentative writing. The SEARCH acronym categorizes text evidence to help students recognize essential details in nonfiction texts.

Logical Fallacies 

This resource includes a colorful PDF presentation and learning activities to familiarize students with 12 logical fallacies: Ad Hominem, Straw Man, Either Or, Bandwagon, Hasty Generalization, False Cause, False Authority, Red Herring, Slippery Slope, You too, Circular Argument, and Moral Equivalence.

Silly Food Debates  

Students discuss and debate their responses to the food debate questions, such as is a hot dog a sandwich. After the discussion, students select a food debate question to complete a short, written response that includes a claim and reasons or evidence to support their arguments.

Who Should Go?  

Students discuss in small groups and must reach a consensus on seven individuals from a list of ten fictional candidates to select to participate in a space journey to Mars reality tv show. Each candidate from the list has strengths and weaknesses that cause students to have conflicting views about who to select. Students are encouraged to think critically about their choices by considering arguments and counterarguments for the individuals they do not select.