Communication Strategies 15 Advanced argumentation: Review

street corner stencil shadow girl looking back

Take a look back

Image Credit
Tom Waterhouse via flickr

This is a review of the previous four lessons on argumentation. It will give you a chance to practice using argumentation to give stronger answers. 

Introduction

Review is vital, so we are going to take a look back at the previous four lessons. You will get a chance to practice using counterarguments, vivid examples, layered reasoning and compelling facts. 

Don't be afraid to spend time on this lesson and discuss topics that are related to the student.

If your student can't remember a strategy, then take time to perfect it. Make sure they have time. It's a good idea to check when their test is scheduled. 

Warm Up

Recall the previous four lessons. Which was the easiest? Which was the most difficult? 

Here's an overview of the last four lessons:

  • CS 11—Give balanced answers/counterarguments.
  • CS 12—Use vivid examples and anecdotes (using strong adjectives or verbs). 
  • CS 13—Add layered reasoning. 
  • CS 14—Use facts and data. 

Use the student's attitude to gauge their confidence. Some students may feel that every lesson was difficult, while others may feel that they were all easy. 

  • If they seem under-confident, then encourage them to use what they can, and scaffold the practice section. 
  • If they seem over-confident, remind them:

There is a big difference between understanding the strategy and using it. To give a strong argument, it's necessary to use these strategies well. 

Some students will say a lesson was tough, and then use the strategy perfectly. If that's the case, you should heap on the praise to boost their confidence. 

Scaffolding

The term scaffolding refers to a process of teaching. There are 3 steps in the scaffolding process:

  1. The teacher models and/or demonstrates how to solve a problem for their student.
  2. The teacher lets the student try to solve the problem themselves by taking a step back and only giving support when needed.
  3. The student is able to solve the problem on their own.

Scaffolding is sometimes described as, "I do. We do. You do."

Practice

We will review each of the skills you practiced. 

  1. Please give a balanced answer with a counterargument:

Should young children be required to learn English? If so, from what age?

 

  1. Please give an answer with a vivid example or anecdote: 

What (besides good food) makes a restaurant great?

 

  1. Please give an answer with deep reasoning: 

Do you need empathy in your job? Why or why not? 

 

  1. Please give an answer with compelling facts: 

What is the biggest problem your country will face in the future?