English Language Arts and Reading.4.9.E.ii

The student is expected to

recognize characteristics and structures of argumentative text by:

 

explaining how the author has used facts for an argument; and

multiple genres TEKS talk image

Knowledge and Skills Statement

Multiple genres: listening, speaking, reading, writing, and thinking using multiple texts--genres. The student recognizes and analyzes genre-specific characteristics, structures, and purposes within and across increasingly complex traditional, contemporary, classical, and diverse texts.

A teacher may wish to pair SE 4.9.E.i with SE 4.9.E.ii and assess them together. With SE 4.9.E.i, students identify the claim in an argumentative text. Have students work with a partner to read a text in which someone is arguing a point and determine the claim made in the text. Once students have clearly established the claim, have them read the text again and identify how the author has used facts to support and oppose the argument.

 

Further Explanation

This SE requires students to recognize the facts used by the author to support an argument. Students should recognize the different positions presented in a text in order to explain how the author uses evidence to support an argument.

a text written to demonstrate to an audience that a certain position or idea is valid and that others are not The writer appeals to reason, develops, defends, or debates the topic, connecting a series of statements in an orderly way so they lead to a logical conclusion.
a detail or idea that can be shown and verified as true, to exist, or to have happened; a statement that can be proven with data, observations, and reliable sources
Students are expected to have a clear idea of the particular attributes of argumentative texts. For example, students should know that argumentative texts have unique characteristics such as a claim, an intended audience, and the use of facts in support or refutation of an argument. Students should also recognize structures, such the introduction, claim, facts, arguments, counterarguments, and conclusion, of argumentative text that impact how an argumentative essay is organized. Each one of these structures has a specific function in an argumentative text that students should identify and explain.
Arguments are presented through reasoning and must be supported by facts, or details that can be verified as true. When students recognize how the facts an author has used connect to the argument, they are able to better understand how the author arrived at a conclusion/opinion and are, therefore, better prepared to judge whether this argument is sound. Students should recognize the different positions presented in a text about a certain topic or issue to justify how the author uses evidence to support or refute arguments.