Lesson 6: Te Arotake i ngā Kōrero

Evaluating Arguments

Year 8 Critical Thinking Unit | 45 minutes

Argument mapping & persuasive techniques in real NZ contexts

👨‍🏫 Learning Objectives

Key Vocabulary:

Resources Needed:

🎯 Starter: Argument Anatomy 8 minutes

Display this simple argument:

"We should ban single-use plastic bags in our town. They harm marine life when they end up in waterways. They take hundreds of years to decompose in landfills. Many other NZ towns have successfully implemented bag bans. It will encourage people to use reusable alternatives."

Student Task (Pairs):

  1. Identify the main conclusion (what is being argued for?)
  2. Find all the premises (supporting reasons)
  3. Decide which premise is strongest/weakest

Sample Argument Map:

CONCLUSION: We should ban single-use plastic bags

PREMISES:

🏛️ Main Activity: NZ Council Debate Analysis 25 minutes

Real-World Argument Evaluation

Context: Māori wards in local government have been a significant debate across NZ councils. Some councils support establishing dedicated Māori representation, others oppose it. Let's analyze both sides.

Position A: Support for Māori Wards

"Māori wards ensure tangata whenua voices are heard in local decisions that affect their communities. Treaty obligations require genuine partnership in governance. Māori perspectives bring valuable cultural and environmental knowledge to council decisions. Under-representation has persisted despite general elections - targeted representation addresses this systemic issue."

Position B: Opposition to Māori Wards

"All citizens should have equal voting rights regardless of ethnicity. Māori can already participate through general elections like everyone else. Creating separate representation could divide communities rather than unite them. Local issues affect all residents equally and shouldn't be determined by race-based voting."

Student Investigation Process (Groups of 3-4):

  1. Initial Analysis (8 minutes):
    • Each group analyzes one position
    • Map the argument structure using worksheet
    • Identify premises, conclusion, and evidence types
  2. Digital Mapping (10 minutes):
    • Use MindMup to create visual argument map
    • Color-code: Green = strong evidence, Yellow = questionable, Red = weak
    • Add counter-arguments in separate branches
  3. Evidence Evaluation (7 minutes):
    • Which premises are based on facts vs. values?
    • What evidence would strengthen weak premises?
    • Are there missing perspectives to consider?

Teacher Facilitation Guide:

💬 Cultural Connection: Whakatōhea - Debate Traditions 7 minutes

Traditional Māori Decision-Making

Discussion Points:

Key Concept: In traditional settings, the goal was often consensus (kotahitanga) rather than winning debates - finding solutions that honored all perspectives.

📹 Digital Assessment: Flipgrid Video Arguments 5 minutes setup

Video Recording Task:

Individual Task: Record 60-90 second video presenting your group's argument analysis

Video Structure:

  1. Position Summary (20 seconds): What is the main argument?
  2. Evidence Evaluation (40 seconds): Which premises are strong/weak and why?
  3. Missing Pieces (30 seconds): What additional evidence would help?

Assessment Focus:

📋 ARGUMENT MAPPING WORKSHEET - PRINT SECTION

Analyzing Council Debate Arguments

Names: _________________________________ Date: ___________

Position Analyzing: ☐ Support for Māori Wards ☐ Opposition to Māori Wards

Part 1: Argument Structure

1. What is the main conclusion (what is being argued for/against)?

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

2. List all the premises (supporting reasons) you can identify:

a) _____________________________________________________________________

b) _____________________________________________________________________

c) _____________________________________________________________________

d) _____________________________________________________________________

Part 2: Evidence Evaluation

3. Which premise has the strongest evidence? Why?

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

4. Which premise is weakest or most questionable? Why?

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

5. What type of evidence supports each premise? (Mark: F=Fact, V=Value/Opinion, E=Example)

Premise a) _____ Premise b) _____ Premise c) _____ Premise d) _____

Part 3: Counter-Arguments

6. What would someone from the opposing side say in response?

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

7. Which counter-argument is strongest? Why?

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

Part 4: Missing Evidence

8. What additional evidence would strengthen this position?

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

9. What questions would you ask to test the strength of this argument?

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

Part 5: Personal Reflection

10. After analyzing both sides, what aspects of this issue seem most important to consider?

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

11. How did mapping the argument visually help your understanding?

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

12. When might you use argument mapping in your own life?

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

📊 Assessment Rubric

Argument Analysis (4 points):

Counter-Argument Recognition (4 points):

Digital Presentation (4 points):

🏠 Extension Activities

🔗 Curriculum Connections

💡 Differentiation Strategies