Lesson 3: Building and Supporting Arguments
Duration of Days: 3
Lesson Objective
Students will be able to construct clear arguments supported by evidence and reasoning.
What makes an argument persuasive?
How does evidence strengthen claims?
What weakens an argument?
Claim
Evidence
Reasoning
Counterclaim
D1.INQ.9.9–12 – Construct arguments using multiple sources
D2.CIV.2.9–12 – Analyze how beliefs and ideology shape arguments
D1.INQ.6.9–12 – Evaluate claims and evidence
Argument construction
Evaluating evidence
Logical reasoning
Students practice building arguments and responding to counterarguments in structured formats.
DOK Level: 3
Connections to public debates and civic arguments
Discussion of misinformation and weak reasoning
“Strong opinions equal strong arguments”
“More evidence is always better”
Argument templates
Sentence starters
Modeling strong and weak arguments
Argument outline
Discussion participation
Source packets
Argument organizers
Sample arguments