STRUCTURE IN ARGUMENT“The Secret to Raising Smart Kids” by Carol S. Dweck

“Why waste time proving over and over how great you are, when you could be getting better?”

-Carol S. Dweck

WHY THIS TEXT?

• Arguments come in many forms, from impassioned blogs to reasoned debates.

• This text looks at an argument for two ways of viewing intelligence and scientific reasoning.

• Which argument is more successful at which method leads to greater success in life.

AS YOU READ

• Focus on details that support each argument

• Write questions that come up during reading.

• Relate information that supports each argument.

• Use the following TEXT FOCUS slides to guide you through the text.

TEXT FOCUS

• Lines 1-10 (1112.RI.2.6)• An argument is a type of writing or speech that tried to convince the

audience to accept the writer’s ideas or to take a certain action. A successful argument will include ideas that are clearly presented to the audience.

• Characterize Dweck’s style and use of language. Is she to the point? Is she drawn out and confusing? Does she use jargon or easily understood words? What do her word choice and sentence structure suggest about the audience she is trying to reach?

TEXT FOCUS

• Lines 11-32 (1112.RI.2.6)• A claim is the author’s position on an issue, which usually appears at the

beginning of the argument. The clain and details that elaborate on it may be signaled by words and phrases such as however, on the other hand, and but.

• Cite the commonly accepted assumption that Dweck’s claim opposes.

TEXT FOCUS

• Lines 48-77 (1112.RI.2.5; 1112.RI.4.10)• Cite and paraphrase the author’s first reason in support of her position.

• Evaluate whether the evidence in lines 60-77 convincingly supports her first reason.

• Explain the structure of the argument in lines 48-77. How does this structure affect your perception of the author as well as her argument?

TEXT FOCUS

• Subheading Page 23 (1112.RI.2.5)• Subheadings act as cues that another point of support will be developed in

that section.

• Explain the focus of the part of the argument covered under this subheading.

TEXT FOCUS

• Lines 78-88 (1112.RI.2.6)• Recall what kind of audience Dweck is writing for.

• Identify was in which the author clarifies ideas in this paragraph.

TEXT FOCUS

• Lines 98-103 (1112.RI.2.5)• When you look at evidence the author supplies, you need to determine

whether it comes from a reliable or credible source.

• Identify the source for the evidence presented in lines 98-116. Is this source reliable? Why or why not?

TEXT FOCUS

• Lines 152-168 (1112.RI.2.5)• Making an argument relevant to a wider audience helps increase its

persuasiveness.

• Cite evidence that shows the relevance of Dweck’s ideas to a wider audience.

TEXT FOCUS

• Lines 169-179 (1112.RI.1.1)• When you read arguments, you need to be able to draw your own

conclusions from the details presented to help you assess the validity of the author’s reasons or claim.

• What does the author suggest about the correlation between mind-set and personal happiness?

TEXT FOCUS

• Lines 180-189 (1112.RI.2.5)• An author should include a counterargument which presents and addresses

possible objections or opposing views.

• What possible objection is this paragraph addressing? How does the author show flaws in that line of thinking?

TEXT FOCUS

• Lines 220-236 (1112.RI.2.5)• Sound Evidence is evidence that an be verified or backed up by another

source. Anecdotal Evidence you must decide whether ir is persuasive based on the connections the author makes as well as their own knowledge.

• IS the evidence in lines 220-227 convincing? Why or why not?

GROUP PRACTICE

• Argument• Claim• Reason• Evidence• Counterargument

• Evaluating Support

INDIVIDUAL PRACTICE

• Analyze Structure p. 27• After reading page 27, complete this chart using the reading passage…

Term Definition Example from Passage

Claim

Reason

Evidence

Due Friday

• Analyzing the Text p. 28• Answer 1- 8 in complete response format.

• Performance Task p.28• Complete the writing assignment.

• Critical Vocabulary p.29• Define the five words, then complete1-5.

• Vocabulary Strategy p.29• Practice and Apply 1-5.

INDIVIDUAL PRACTICEDue Friday