1. 11/28/16 Learning Target: Students will gather relevant information from multiple print sources, close reading to analyze what the text says about the topic. Success Criteria: Students will be able to locate at least one piece of countering evidence and offer a rebuttal to the evidence.

2. Connecting Evidence to a Claim was developed by Jean Wolph.
One problem writers sometimes have is using evidence effectively.
Today we’ll focus on connecting our evidence to the claim.
Connecting Evidence to a Claim was developed by Jean Wolph.

3. All forms of Countering
Countering Moves
“The aim of countering is to open up new lines of inquiry.”
–Harris in Rewriting: How to Do Things with Texts
All forms of Countering
(Rebutting the other side, Uncovering Values, Dissenting)
Leeanne Bordelon, NSU Writing Project, 2014

4. Leeanne Bordelon, NSU Writing Project, 2014
Countering Moves
When students “push back” against the text in some way. They might disagree with it, challenge something it says, or interpret it differently than the author does.
Leeanne Bordelon, NSU Writing Project, 2014

5. Connecting Evidence to a Claim was developed by Jean Wolph.
What will we do when we are…
???
???
Countering:
“Pushing back” against the text in some way (e.g., disagree with it, challenge something it says, or interpret it differently)
Connecting Evidence to a Claim was developed by Jean Wolph.

6. Connecting Evidence to a Claim was developed by Jean Wolph.
Countering is another move in argument writing.
First, we acknowledge a claim that is in opposition to ours.
Example: Some people argue that males do not have nearly as many body image issues as females, but I completely disagree.
Connecting Evidence to a Claim was developed by Jean Wolph.

7. Connecting Evidence to a Claim was developed by Jean Wolph.
Countering
Then, we identify evidence that our opponents might use to support their claim.
Example: “In many cases, of course, weight concerns among males remain at relatively benign levels, and when teens attempt to control their weight , they often do so in comparatively innocuous ways.”
From “Body Image Pressure Increasingly Affects Boys”
Connecting Evidence to a Claim was developed by Jean Wolph.

8. Connecting Evidence to a Claim was developed by Jean Wolph.
Countering
Finally, we suggest a different way of thinking about their evidence:
Example: This position is misguided. It is not a competition between males and females to see who has more problems and issues. Both males and females are participating in harmful activities in the name of appearances and BOTH genders need to be addressed.
Connecting Evidence to a Claim was developed by Jean Wolph.

9. Connecting Evidence to a Claim was developed by Jean Wolph.
Try it: Countering the Opposition
COUNTERING
Acknowledge the other side’s claim
Note the evidence or reason they are using (or might use) that you want to refute.
Suggest a different way of thinking about their evidence or reason.
Connecting Evidence to a Claim was developed by Jean Wolph.

10. Connecting Evidence to a Claim was developed by Jean Wolph.
Try it: Countering the Opposition
COUNTERING
Acknowledge the other side’s claim
Note the evidence or reason they are using (or might use) that you want to refute.
Suggest a different way of thinking about their evidence or reason.
Some people argue that males do not have nearly as many body image issues as females, but I completely disagree.
“In many cases, of course, weight concerns among males remain at relatively benign levels, and when teens attempt to control their weight , they often do so in comparatively innocuous ways.”
From “Body Image Pressure Increasingly Affects Boys”
This position is misguided. It is not a competition between males and females to see who has more problems and issues.
Both males and females are participating in harmful activities for in the name of appearances and BOTH genders need to be addressed.
Connecting Evidence to a Claim was developed by Jean Wolph.

11. Connecting Evidence to a Claim was developed by Jean Wolph.
Debriefing
Let’s share our efforts and talk about what worked and what might improve our attempts to counter.
Connecting Evidence to a Claim was developed by Jean Wolph.

12. Connecting Evidence to a Claim was developed by Jean Wolph.
Next Steps: Return your draft. Use the Countering Chart or your own paper.
After practicing the move of countering, it’s time for students to try it in their own drafts using the fast food text set. They will need to re-scan the articles in order to find evidence that someone with an opposing claim might use, then help us think differently about that evidence so that it loses its power to sway our opinion.
Then revise your draft to include this new text in which you counter an opposing argument.
Connecting Evidence to a Claim was developed by Jean Wolph.

13. Connecting Evidence to a Claim was developed by Jean Wolph.
REFLECTION
How can we explain the process we just used?
How will we apply it to our own research in order to make a stronger connection between our evidence and our claim?
Capture students’ thinking on a chart that will remain on the wall for use in future argument work.
Connecting Evidence to a Claim was developed by Jean Wolph.

14. Microsoft Engineering Excellence
Students should save this revised draft in their working folders. Ideally, after writing several different drafts, students will select one piece from this folder to develop further, engaging in further research, writing, and revision. This selected draft will be edited and published.
11/ Praise, question, Polish In pairs, review one another’s charts, focusing on the use of sources to illustrate, authorize, and counter. How well has the writer connected that evidence to his/her claim? Do you need additional evidence? Revise after feedback to improve your use of sources to support your claim.
Connecting Evidence to a Claim was developed by Jean Wolph.
Microsoft Confidential