STILTS

1. Arguments
CCSS 6.1: Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant
evidence

2. VTS: Developing a Claim
The process of working through an argument is the
process of inquiry. At its very beginning is the
examination of data, not the invention of a thesis
staTement in a vacuum. As such, it is essential to
activate students’ background knowledge or the topic
in order to access funds of knowledge from which
hey can derive an initial claim.

4. Pre-reading:
Are Robots the School teachers of the Future?

5. Claim: An arguable statement
What do you think should happen?
Claim 1: Teachers should be replaced by robots.
Claim 2: Teachers should not be replaced by robots.

6. Evidence
Why do you think what you think?
Use information from the articles you
have read and from other sources
such as personal experience,
books, movies, newspapers, etc.

7. Warrants (reasoning)
Why is the evidence you have provided
relevant? How does it support the
claim that you are making?
Why is it convincing?
Readers want explanations of why the data we
produce support the claims we make.

8.  Claim 1. Teachers should be replaced by robots
 Claim 2. Teachers should not be replaced by robots.
 Invite students to present one reason they have written down in support of Claim 1
and evidence from the article or VTS lesson.
 Discuss as a whole class how to link the evidence to the claim they are making
 Readers will want explanations of why the data we introduce support the claims we make and
are trying to demonstrate.
 Teaching the warrant seeks to eliminate argument writing that merely expresses a vague opinion
without presentation of relevant evidence.
 To help generate a counterargument discuss as a whole class why someone might
disagree with the claim they are making.
Warrants and Counterclaims:

9. A Counterclaim
 What might those who disagree
with you argue? How would you
rebut this alternative claim?

10. Your essay should include:
CLAIM
EVIDENCE
WARRANTS (REASONING)
COUNTERARGUMENT

11. THE EDITING PROCESS

12. PEER EDITING FEEDBACK FORM

13. Writing the Essay!
 Your essay should include:
 A Claim- What do you think should happen?
 Evidence- Why do you think what you think?
Use information from the articles you
have read and from other sources such as
personal experience, books, movies,
newspapers, etc.
 Warrants- Why is the evidence you have
provided relevant? How does it
support the claim that you are
making? Why is it convincing?
 A Counterargument- What might those who disagree
with you argue? How would you
rebut this alternative claim?

14. THANK YOU!