Climate Change Argument Map
Demonstration of Proficiency: Critical Literacy (CL2: Analysis)
Why are we learning this?
Being able to break down and identify the main arguments of a text is not something you need to learn just for school. Finding bias, incorrect information, and main arguments is a life skill.
Procedure for Text Mark-Up and Argument Mapping
- Identify Possible Bias: Research the author(s) to locate information regarding their backgrounds, occupations, ideologies, etc. What is the POV of this author going to be? What is the author(s) bias? Label this “About the Author” and draw a square around it.
- Mark Up the Text: Use the Agreed upon Markings below to mark up your text
Note: The text mark-up and the argument map should be done at the same time.
Agreed upon Markings for the Text Mark-ups
| C1,C2, C3, etc. = Claims made by the author
E1, E2, E3, etc. = Evidence for the claims being made P = Evidence of Purpose and/or Intended Audience B = Evidence of Author’s Bias ? = Ideas you are skeptical about or have a question about |
! = Ideas you agree with or like
X = Ideas you disagree with or dislike N = Use of Name Calling or Labeling H = Use of Hyperbole (Exaggerated language) LL = Loaded Language R = Some form of rhetoric S = Use of the Straw Figure Fallacy |
- Identify Claims: On your Argument Map, paraphrase the claims made by the author in your own words. Label each claim, cite the paragraph and page number where the claim can be found, and draw a square around this information.
- Identify Evidence: On your Argument Map, paraphrase the evidence made by the author in your own words. Label each piece of evidence, cite the paragraph and page number where the evidence can be found, and draw a square around this information.
- Identify the Main Argument: Take a look at all of the claims made by the author and identify the Main Argument (or conclusion) of the writing. Use a cloud shape and label as main argument. Use a scrap piece of paper to develop a well-qualified and comprehensive main argument.
- Describe the Task: Provide a clear description of the task that includes your name and date.
Learning Targets
| Criteria | 1 – Just getting started and will need lots of help | 2 – Starting to get It and will need some help | 3 – Got it with a little help here and there | 4 – Got it with ease & efficiency on my own |
| Identify Bias | I can use research to accurately identify the author’s bias | |||
| Identify Claims | I can accurately paraphrase all of the major claims made by the author and I can provide clear references to the text to back up my claims | |||
| Identify Evidence | I can accurately paraphrase all of the significant evidence used by the author and I can provide clear references to the text to back up my claims | |||
| Identify the Main Argument | I can create a main argument that accurately and thoroughly paraphrases the main argument of the resource | |||
| Requirements | I can accurately describe the task and provide a record of whose work this is along with the completion date |
Total: ___________
