1. Informational Text
Evaluating an Argument
Feature Menu
Informational Text
Connecting to the Literature
Introducing the Informational Text
Vocabulary
Informational Reading Focus: Evaluating an
Argument
Evaluating an Argument
Assignment

2. Connecting to the Literature
“The Lady or the Tiger?” describes a system of
justice in which the fate of the accused is decided
entirely by chance. How fair is our own system,
trial by jury? Read the following persuasive essay
to find out what one expert thinks.
[End of Section]

3. Introducing the Informational Text
A Defense of the Jury System

4. Introducing the Informational Text
A Defense of the Jury System
If you were charged with a crime,
would you rather have a jury of
your peers or a panel of judges
decide your fate?
Read “A Defense of the Jury
System” for one author’s
views on the jury system in
our country.
[End of Section]

5. Vocabulary
Vocabulary Development
irrational adj.: not based on reason or logic.
superficial adj.: not deep or thorough; shallow.
obscure v.: conceal; cover up.
advocates v.: supports; argues in favor of.
conscientiously adv.: carefully and thoughtfully.
affluent adj.: wealthy.

6. Vocabulary
Vocabulary Practice
Fill in the blanks with words from the Word Bank.
irrational
superficial
obscure
conscientiously
obscure
1. On rainy days, clouds _________ the mountaintop view.
irrational
2. An _________ argument is illogical.
3. Sensitive and attentive, the nurse cared for her patients
conscientiously
_____________.
superficial
4. Someone with a _________ view of life might be called
shallow.
[End of Section]

7. Evaluating an Argument
When you read an author’s argument—a series of
statements intended to convince you of something
—you are like a juror in a trial.
Like a juror, you analyze the evidence presented
and decide whether the argument is sound.

8. Evaluating an Argument
Understand the claim, or opinion.
Read through the article to make sure you
understand the issue.
• Identify the author’s claim,
or opinion—the thing the
author is trying to prove.
• Restate the author’s opinion
in your own words.

9. Evaluating an Argument
Quick Check
Jurors are drawn from both sexes, all ethnic
groups, all economic backgrounds, all adult
ages, all religions, and all neighborhoods
within a jurisdiction. (Indeed, the only
qualification a person needs to be a juror is
the ability to be fair and impartial.)
Consequently, a jury will reflect diverse
viewpoints and experiences, rather than just
the viewpoint and experiences of a single
judge. The jury system thus helps ensure
that a verdict will not be based on an
individual’s biases or lack of understanding of
particular people’s experiences.
—from “A Defense of the Jury System” by Thomas M.
Ross, Esq.
What is the
author’s
claim?

10. Evaluating an Argument
Identify the support.
To present persuasive arguments, an author must
support his or her claims. Look for
• logical appeals
• emotional appeals

11. Evaluating an Argument
Logical appeals include reasons and evidence.
• Reasons are statements that explain why the
author holds an opinion.
• Evidence is the information that authors use to
support their reasons. Evidence includes
• facts
• statistics (number facts)
• examples
• quotations from or opinions of experts

12. Evaluating an Argument
Emotional appeals play on readers’ emotions
rather than their reason. Emotional appeals
include
• loaded words (words with strong emotional
connotations)
• anecdotes (brief stories)
Emotional appeals can be effective but shouldn’t
be relied on too heavily. Arguments that rely
heavily on emotional appeals rather than logic are
usually weak.

13. Evaluating an Argument
Quick Check
Jurors are drawn from both sexes, all ethnic
groups, all economic backgrounds, all adult
ages, all religions, and all neighborhoods
within a jurisdiction. (Indeed, the only
qualification a person needs to be a juror is
the ability to be fair and impartial.)
Consequently, a jury will reflect diverse
viewpoints and experiences, rather than just
the viewpoint and experiences of a single
judge. The jury system thus helps ensure
that a verdict will not be based on an
individual’s biases or lack of understanding of
particular people’s experiences.
—from “A Defense of the Jury System” by Thomas M.
Ross, Esq.
The author
claims that
the jury
system helps
ensure a fair
trial. What
support does
he present?

14. Evaluating an Argument
Quick Check
Jurors are drawn from both sexes, all ethnic
groups, all economic backgrounds, all adult
ages, all religions, and all neighborhoods
within a jurisdiction. (Indeed, the only
qualification a person needs to be a juror is
the ability to be fair and impartial.)
Consequently, a jury will reflect diverse
viewpoints and experiences, rather than just
the viewpoint and experiences of a single
judge. The jury system thus helps ensure
that a verdict will not be based on an
individual’s biases or lack of understanding of
particular people’s experiences.
—from “A Defense of the Jury System” by Thomas M.
Ross, Esq.
Does the
author use
logical or
emotional
appeals?

15. Evaluating an Argument
Evaluate the evidence.
A good argument must be backed up by solid
evidence. As you read, ask yourself:
• Does the evidence directly support the author’s
reasons?
• Does the author present sufficient evidence to
back up generalizations and prove the claim?
• Has the author loaded the argument with
emotional appeals instead of providing valid
evidence?

16. Evaluating an Argument
Quick Check
Jurors are drawn from both sexes, all ethnic
groups, all economic backgrounds, all adult
ages, all religions, and all neighborhoods
within a jurisdiction. (Indeed, the only
qualification a person needs to be a juror is
the ability to be fair and impartial.)
Consequently, a jury will reflect diverse
viewpoints and experiences, rather than just
the viewpoint and experiences of a single
judge. The jury system thus helps ensure
that a verdict will not be based on an
individual’s biases or lack of understanding of
particular people’s experiences.
—from “A Defense of the Jury System” by Thomas M.
Ross, Esq.
How effective
is the
author’s
evidence?

17. Evaluating an Argument
Identify the author’s intent.
Think about why the author is making this
argument.
• Look for bias, or prejudice,
on the part of the author.
• Pay attention to how the
author’s intent, or purpose,
influences the tone of the
argument.

18. Evaluating an Argument
Quick Check
Jurors are drawn from both sexes, all ethnic
groups, all economic backgrounds, all adult
ages, all religions, and all neighborhoods
within a jurisdiction. (Indeed, the only
qualification a person needs to be a juror is
the ability to be fair and impartial.)
Consequently, a jury will reflect diverse
viewpoints and experiences, rather than just
the viewpoint and experiences of a single
judge. The jury system thus helps ensure
that a verdict will not be based on an
individual’s biases or lack of understanding of
particular people’s experiences.
—from “A Defense of the Jury System” by Thomas M.
Ross, Esq.
What is the
author’s
intent?

19. Evaluating an Argument
Create a chart.
Identify an argument’s strengths and weaknesses.
Evaluating an Author’s Argument
Claim or Opinion:
Logical Appeals
Reason 1:
Evidence:
Reason 2:
Evidence:
Emotional Appeals
Loaded Words:
Anecdotes:
Tone:
[End of Section]

20. Assignment
As you read “A Defense of the Jury System,”
evaluate the credibility of the author’s arguments.
Evaluating an Author’s Argument
Claim or Opinion:
Logical Appeals
Reason 1:
Evidence:
Reason 2:
Evidence:
Emotional Appeals
Loaded Words:
Anecdotes:
Tone:
[End of Section]

21. The End