RI 8.8: EVALUATING ARGUMENT

What is the definition for claim?

• A statement you believe to be false.

• A statement you believe to be true.

• Evidence that proves something right

• An opinion

What does Evidence mean?

• All data that supports your claim

• Statement you believe to be true

• An opinion

• A statement of an opposing argument

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Which of the following statements is an example of Evidence?

• Sports teach students how to work as a team and trust others to be supportive.

• The National Alliance for Youth Sports states, “Working as a team to reach a common goal helps children develop communication and problem solving skills that will benefit them on the field and off.”

• Every middle school student should be required to participate in a sport.

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What does Reasoning mean?

• A solid and reasonable argument

• A written response to a claim

• An explanation that connects your evidence back to the claim

• An opinion you believe in

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CELL ADDICTIONS

The average college student uses a smartphone for about nine hours each day. That’s longer than many of those students spend sleeping. In fact, such extended cell phone use shows that the technology could become an addiction, according to a new study. An addiction is a type of uncontrolled and unhealthy habit. It’s well known that people can become addicted to drugs, such as alcohol, narcotics and the nicotine in cigarettes. What’s not so well known:

“People can be addicted to behaviors,” says James Roberts. He’s a marketing professor at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. Roberts also was the lead author of the new study. It appears in the August Journal of Behavioral Addictions. Some cell phone users show the same symptoms that a drug addict might have, Roberts explains. Certain people use smartphones to lift their moods. And it may take more and more time on those phones to provide the same level of enjoyment.

Which statement gives support to the assertion

that cell phone use is an addictive behavior?

• A. “That’s longer than many of those students spend sleeping.”

• B. “Certain people use smartphones to lift their moods.”

• C. “An addiction is a type of uncontrolled and unhealthy habit.”

• D. “It’s well known that people can become addicted to drugs, such as alcohol, narcotics and the nicotine in cigarettes.”

FOOD DEPRIVATION DOESN'T WORK

Regardless of which parental technique is correct, the research is clear. Penn State University research shows, however, that girls who have treats on a regular basis eat less of these foods when they are offered them. They also tend to be slimmer. Another study from the Netherlands compared the eating behaviors of children who were told they couldn't have sweets, couldn't have fruit or were permitted to eat what they wanted. The restricted groups wanted more of the foods they weren't allowed to have and ate more overall. This suggests that a deprivation mentality backfires when it comes to teaching self-regulation and weight management.

Which quote from the selection supports the claim that food deprivation does not work?

• A. “They also tend to be slimmer.”

• B. “The restricted groups wanted more of the foods they weren’t allowed to have and ate more overall.”

• C. “Another study from the Netherlands compared the eating behaviors of children who were told they couldn't have sweets, couldn't have fruit, or were permitted to eat what they wanted.”

• D. “Regardless of which parental technique is correct, the research is clear.”

Are you tired of trying to lug your books to school on your bike? Messenger bags and backpacks were not well-designed for bicycle travel, making it difficult to carry your books.
For example, messenger bags that sling across your shoulder and sit against your bike are always sliding off. Backpacks are better, but they are built to distribute the weight evenly when you walk. When bicycling, your body is in a whole different position. These backpacks can cause strain to the back.
The new Bicycle Book Bag completely solves these problems with a smart design. This backpack will hold all your books and let you carry them comfortably while you ride.
The comfort comes from the special straps that fasten across your chest and across your waist. This makes sure that weight is evenly carried across your whole back. Best of all, the bag and its contents are firmly held in place and will not slide around.
Just in time for school, the Bicycle Book Bag is available at an outdoor store near you.
What evidence could the author include to support the claim that wearing a regular backpack or bicycle is bad for the back?

• Data that show how many kids carry backpacks
• Testimony from a doctor who treats back problems
• A poll that asks what book bags kids use on their bike
• Examples of book bags that attach to the bike itself

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“It’s important to limit your video game playing. First, playing video games isn’t good for your mind. It exposes young people to violence. Violent video games have been linked to aggression in kids. Also, it isn’t good for your health. The more video games you play, the less physical activity you are getting. Obesity and levels of video game playing are linked in research. Finally, playing video games limits the important social interactions you have in real life with friends and family. We miss talking with you around here because you’re always playing games!”
Which of the following is evidence for the claim below?
"It exposes young people to violence. "

• "Violent video games have been linked to aggression in kids."
• "Obesity and levels of video game playing are linked in research."
• "We miss talking with you around here because you’re always playing games!”
• “It’s important to limit your video game playing."

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“It’s important to limit your video game playing. First, playing video games isn’t good for your mind. It exposes young people to violence. Violent video games have been linked to aggression in kids. Also, it isn’t good for your health. The more video games you play, the less physical activity you are getting. Obesity and levels of video game playing are linked in research. Finally, playing video games limits the important social interactions you have in real life with friends and family. We miss talking with you around here because you’re always playing games!”
What could the author add to strengthen the idea that videos are not good for your mind?

• A study on childhood obesity
• Research that relates family relationships to video games
• A field study of a video game A study that shows the impact of video games on young children
• An interview with a video game creator

Why Go Vegetarian?

People choose to eliminate meat from their diets for many reasons. Concerns about health risks, farming practices, and environmental problems are just a few.

In recent years, many animal rights activists have investigated the way animals are treated on large factory farms. They found that many farm animals spend their entire lives in cages where they are often neglected and abused. Investigators also found that these animals are often fed chemicals in order to fatten them up or to make them produce more milk or eggs.

Some health experts say that a healthy vegetarian diet can help reduce heart disease, cancer, and stroke. They say vegetarians also have lower cholesterol and blood pressure and are less likely to develop diabetes. Others claim that a vegetarian diet will lead to a longer life. Much of the evidence to support these claims comes from scientific studies.

Many vegetarian supporters would say the best thing you can do for the environment is to stop eating meat. Some estimates show that the amount of water used just for farming equals the amount of water used for everything else in the United States combined. Supporters say it takes 2,500 gallons of water to produce a single pound of beef. This is equivalent to taking a long shower every day for two-and-a-half weeks. The fertilizer used to grow crops that feed animals has also been identified by the Environmental Protection Agency as a major water pollutant.

However, there are many who disagree with vegetarian supporters. A recent United Kingdom study shows that while vegetarians seemed less likely to have cancer overall, they were more likely to have colon cancer. Another study says that vegetarians risk not having enough iron because the richest sources of iron come from meat. Some experts even say that animal fats are "necessary for human health."

Organizations such as The Heartland Institute, a Chicago-based research center, deny that meat production harms the environment. In fact, they say that most of the land that is used for livestock farming is not suitable for growing food. So using it to raise cattle doubles the amount of food produced. Heartland also says that safe practices are required by law and that farmers must take care of their animals in order to make money. They say that poorly fed and treated animals produce less meat. In turn, farmers make less money.

No matter which side you agree with, you should always consult with your doctor before changing your diet.

Which sentence provides sufficient evidence to support the claim that vegetarians have higher risks for certain health problems?

• A. Concerns about health risks, farming practices, and environmental problems are just a few.

• B. They say vegetarians also have lower cholesterol and blood pressure and are less likely to develop diabetes. Others claim that a vegetarian diet will lead to a longer life.

• C. A recent United Kingdom study shows that while vegetarians seemed less likely to have cancer overall, they were more likely to have colon cancer.