Grade 8 ELA Unit 1

Argumentation

In this introductory unit, students will identify, trace, and evaluate arguments within and across various informational texts. Students will study argumentation techniques, looking closely at relevant v. irrelevant evidence. Students will use multiple formats (verbal, written, etc.) to create their own arguments, using clear reasoning and relevant evidence.

Note: Each unit plan is generally taught over the course of one quarter of the school year. Lessons will vary in length, depending on the amount of time you have with students, the resources that you choose to accompany the unit, the level of rigor within each learning target, and any other factors that may contribute to the pacing of your learning progressions. It is recommended that you adjust the pace and length of each learning progression(s) accordingly in response to these factors.

These learning progressions were developed using Next Generation Learning Standards and were cross-walked with the Common Core Standards.

Download the complete Grade 8 ELA Unit 1 framework to customize for your own planning.

Essential Outcomes

Reading

8R2: Determine one or more themes or central ideas of a text and analyze their development over the course of the text; summarize a text.
8R5: In literary texts, and informational texts, compare and contrast the structures of two or more texts in order to analyze how the differing structure of each text contributes to overall meaning, style, theme or central idea.
8R6: In informational texts, analyze how the author addresses conflicting evidence or viewpoints.
8R8: Trace and evaluate an argument and specific claims in a text, assessing whether the reasoning is valid and the evidence is relevant and sufficient and recognizing when irrelevant evidence is introduced.

Language
None

Writing

8W1: Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.

Speaking and Listening

8SL1: Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions with diverse partners; express ideas clearly and persuasively, and build on those of others.
8SL2: Analyze the purpose of information presented in diverse formats (e.g., including visual, quantitative, and oral) and evaluate the motives (e.g., social, commercial, political) behind its presentation.
8SL3: Delineate a speaker’s argument and specific claims, evaluating for sound reasoning, and the relevance and sufficiency of the evidence; identify when irrelevant evidence is introduced.
8SL4: Present claims and findings, emphasizing salient points in a focused, coherent manner with relevant evidence, valid reasoning, and well-chosen details; use appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and clear enunciation

All Standards Addressed in This Unit

R1, R2, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8
L3, L4, L5, L6,
W1, W5.
SL1, SL2, SL3, SL4, SL5, SL6

Essential Questions and Big Ideas

How do authors develop their arguments?
- Authors use a variety of techniques to develop an argument over the course of a text
- Authors must leverage sufficient, supporting evidence to make a relevant claim
- Authors leverage counter arguments and rebuttals to strengthen their own arguments
How can we determine the effectiveness of an argument?
- Readers must be well-versed in argumentation techniques, including use of relevant v. irrelevant evidence, to determine the effectiveness of an argument
- Good readers look for how arguments develop over the course of a text
- As readers, we must look within and across texts to analyze multiple perspectives on the same topic
Why is it important to determine the effectiveness of an argument?
- To protect ourselves, we need to be aware that not all arguments are sound or based on reliable evidence and sources
- We as members of our society are constantly hearing, reading, and creating arguments- it’s our duty as a responsible citizen to evaluate the effectiveness of each