English · Stage 6

Is It Convincing?

Reading — weigh an argument instead of just reading it: is each reason backed by relevant, sufficient evidence, and where is the weak link?

✦ English📘 Stage 6 · S6⏱ ~10 min🧒 Ages 10–12★ Free to start

I can evaluate the evidence and argument in a text.

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Kavi Weighs an Argument

Kavi reads a letter that says the school should start later. "It sounds good," he hoots, "but does it hold up?" Kavi never just reads an argument — he weighs it. "Every argument has a claim (what the writer wants me to believe), reasons (why), and evidence (facts that back each reason). To evaluate it I ask three things: is each reason backed by evidence? is the evidence relevant and enough? and where is the weak link — a reason resting on no real proof?"

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What your child will learn

1Claim, reason, evidenceBefore you can weigh an argument, find its parts. Tap each one to see what it does.

2Backed? · Relevant? · Enough?To evaluate an argument, test every reason with three questions. The reason that fails is the weak link.

3Two writers, one claim — which convinces?Both argue that the town needs more bike lanes. Read each card and notice which one backs its reason with real evidence.

4Sort each support for 'Our town needs more bike lanes'

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A peek inside

A writer claims 'Our class should recycle' and backs it with: 'After we added a bin, our waste dropped by half.' Is the reason backed by evidence?

find the reason, then check for a real fact behind it

Try this at home: What are the three parts of an argument?

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Start the free interactive lesson, or print the handout for screen-free play.

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Part of English · Stage 6 · S6 on KAVI Academy — a secular, whole-child learning platform for ages 5–12.