Critical Thinking and Argument
Critical thinking means evaluating arguments by examining their evidence, reasoning, and assumptions. Year 8 students identify logical fallacies, evaluate the quality of evidence, and construct well-reasoned arguments.
What You Need to Know
Key Concept Diagram
A strong argument has a clear claim, relevant evidence, and logical reasoning
Logical fallacies are errors in reasoning: ad hominem, straw man, false dichotomy, appeal to authority
Evidence quality matters: consider the source, recency, and relevance
Counterarguments should be acknowledged and addressed in a strong argument
Key Vocabulary
Claim
The main argument or position a writer is trying to establish
Evidence
Information used to support a claim; should be accurate, relevant, and reliable
Logical fallacy
An error in reasoning that makes an argument invalid or misleading
Counterargument
An opposing viewpoint that challenges the main argument
Knowledge Check
Select the correct answer for each question. Click "Check Answer" to see if you are right.
Question 1
"You can't trust her opinion on climate policy because she drives a car." This is an example of:
Question 2
A strong argument should include:
Question 3
A politician says "Either you support this law or you don't care about children's safety." This is a:
Key Concepts Summary
- ●A strong argument has a clear claim, relevant evidence, and logical reasoning
- ●Logical fallacies are errors in reasoning: ad hominem, straw man, false dichotomy, appeal to authority
- ●Evidence quality matters: consider the source, recency, and relevance
- ●Counterarguments should be acknowledged and addressed in a strong argument