Romeo and Juliet: Claims and Counter Claims

Romeo and Juliet

Grade 9 English

Tamara Turnbeaugh

Unit Overview

Essential Questions

• What are the functions of humor and satire in literature and society?

• How can I use evidence, judgments, and reasoning to express my opinions and persuade others?

• How can we, as Shakespearean actors, use parody to communicate the timeless nature of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet?

Unit Overview

Common Core State Standards:

• Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.9-10.1(a, b, c)

  • Introduce precise claim(s), distinguish the claim(s) from alternate or opposing claims, and create an organization that establishes clear relationships among claim(s), counterclaims, reasons, and evidence. 

  • Develop claim(s) and counterclaims fairly, supplying evidence for each while pointing out the strengths and limitations of both in a manner that anticipates the audience's knowledge level and concerns.

  • Use words, phrases, and clauses to link the major sections of the text, create cohesion, and clarify the relationships between claim(s) and reasons, between reasons and evidence, and between claim(s) and counterclaims.

Writing Well-Balanced Arguments

Claim: matters of opinion, but they are stated as if they are
facts and backed up with evidence. What you are PROVING.

• avoid "I think," "in my opinion," "I believe"

Counterclaim:are arguments of the opposing side which the
author will address. The other side has a [weak] point.

Remember, you can

access our notes on

Google Classroom!

Writing Well-Balanced Arguments

Why use counterclaims? Anticipate & defeat the opposition

Wait, but what
about…??

The other side might
argue x; HOWEVER,
here’s why they’re
wrong.

What it looks like:

Counterclaim:

Basic free throw

vs

Claim:

SLAM DUNK!

Writing Well-Balanced Arguments

Why use counterclaims? Anticipate & defeat the opposition.

Counterclaim (also known as concession)

Claim (also known as a rebuttal)

Critics may argue that…

however….

Others may claim…

but….

While it might be true that…

nevertheless…

Opponents have stated…

On the contrary…

Of course, some believe…

On the other hand…

Highlight how this is a weaker argument

Most, experts, obviously– this side is stronger

Information also on whiteboard or anchor chart.

Writing Well-Balanced Arguments

Why use counterclaims? Anticipate & defeat the opposition

Obviously, Taco Bell is popular for a wide variety of tacos;

however, Jack in the Box offers a far superior taco due to
better structural integrity and crunch.

Writing Well-Balanced Arguments

Why use counterclaims? Anticipate & defeat the opposition

➔

Counterclaim acknowledging Taco Bell has good tacos

Obviously, Taco Bell is popular for a wide variety of tacos;

however, Jack in the Box offers a far superior taco due to
better structural integrity and crunch.

Writing Well-Balanced Arguments

Why use counterclaims? Anticipate & defeat the opposition

➔ Claim: Jack in the Box is superior

Obviously, Taco Bell is popular for a wide variety of tacos;

however, Jack in the Box offers a far superior taco due to
better structural integrity and crunch.

Multiple Choice

Identify the CLAIM:

Even though fans love Batman, he should not be considered a superhero because he has no super powers.

• fans love Batman,

• he should not be considered a superhero because he has no super powers.

Multiple Choice

Identify the COUNTERCLAIM:

While the Super Bowl has an impressive 114 million viewers, soccer is the more popular sport worldwide.

• the Super Bowl has an impressive 114 million viewers

• soccer is the more popular sport worldwide.

Multiple Choice

Identify the CLAIM:

Halloween statistics prove that America's favorite candy is Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, despite the fact that the bland, lower quality M&Ms make more sales throughout the year.

• America's favorite candy is Reese's Peanut Butter Cups

• the bland, lower quality M&Ms make more sales throughout the year

Multiple Choice

Identify the COUNTERCLAIM:

Not surprisingly, nearly 50 million American households have a dog because they are so cuddly and lovable; even though critics may argue that low maintenance cats make better pets, only 40 million households agree.

• 50 million American households have a dog because they are so cuddly and lovable

• critics may argue that low maintenance cats make better pets, only 40 million households agree

Some argue that Romeo and Juliet is best known as tragic love story.

And yet, others claim it has many elements of Shakespearean comedy.

Let's Review!

​

How does this fit with Romeo and Juliet?

Comedy, or Tragedy? (source)

● Elements of Tragedy

●Characters become isolated or there is social
breakdown

●There is a sense that events are inevitable or
inescapable (fate)

●There is usually a central figure who is noble
but with a character flaw which leads them
towards their eventual downfall

●There is a profound sense of sadness and
mystery which is due to this impression of
waste.

●Ends in death.

●Elements of Comedy

●A struggle of young lovers to
overcome problems, often the result
of the interference of their elders

●There is some element of separation
and reunification

●Mistaken identities, often involving
disguise

●A clever servant

●Frequent use of puns

Multiple Select

So, what do you think?

• Comedy & Satire

• Tragic Tale of Fate

Multiple Select

How well do you understand the idea of using claims and counter claims?

• I don’t quite understand this yet.

• I mostly get it, but I’m not confident.

• I am confident that I can do it.

On Google Classroom, open the notes that we have and work independently to write 3 persuasive sentences about Romeo and Juliet.

​

Build Your Argument