Grade 7 Reading | FL B.E.S.T. Standard: ELA.7.R.2.4
When authors want to convince you of something, they make claims and support them with reasons and evidence. Learning to analyze these arguments helps you become a critical thinker who can evaluate whether an argument is strong or weak - and spot the tricks that make weak arguments seem convincing!
The main point the author wants you to believe
Explains WHY the claim should be accepted
Facts, statistics, or examples that prove the reason
Think of it like a table: The CLAIM is the tabletop. REASONS are the legs holding it up. EVIDENCE is what makes those legs strong!
Is there ENOUGH evidence? One example usually isn't enough to prove a broad claim.
Does the evidence actually CONNECT to the claim? Off-topic evidence doesn't help.
Is the source RELIABLE? Is it from an expert? Is it recent and unbiased?
Schools should eliminate homework for middle school students. Research shows that excessive homework causes stress and takes time away from important activities like sleep, exercise, and family time.
According to a Stanford University study, students who spend more than two hours on homework experience more stress, physical health problems, and less time for activities that promote well-being. Additionally, a study published in the Journal of Educational Psychology found that homework has little correlation with academic achievement in middle school.
Some argue that homework teaches responsibility, but schools can teach responsibility through classroom activities instead. When students are overwhelmed with homework, they often complete assignments carelessly just to finish - which defeats the purpose entirely.
| Element | From the Passage | Evaluation |
|---|---|---|
| CLAIM | "Schools should eliminate homework for middle school students" | Clear, arguable statement |
| REASON 1 | Homework causes stress and takes time from important activities | Logical connection to claim |
| EVIDENCE | Stanford study, Journal of Educational Psychology study | Credible sources; relevant to reasons |
Fallacies are errors in reasoning that make arguments SEEM convincing but actually weaken them:
Drawing big conclusions from too few examples.
"My friend got sick eating there, so that restaurant is dangerous."
Arguing something is true because many believe it.
"Everyone is doing it, so it must be right."
Assuming one thing caused another just because it came first.
"I wore my lucky shirt and passed the test!"
Attacking the person instead of their argument.
"You can't trust her - she's just a kid."
"Video games should be considered a valid school subject. Studies show gaming improves problem-solving skills, hand-eye coordination, and strategic thinking. Schools in Finland have already integrated game-based learning with positive results."
"My older brother never studied and he got into college, so studying is a waste of time."
Claim: "Cell phones should be banned in schools."
Evidence: "A teacher in Texas said phones distract students."