{"id":1578,"date":"2025-07-11T01:20:14","date_gmt":"2025-07-11T01:20:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/resources.kialo-edu.com\/?post_type=docs&#038;p=1578"},"modified":"2025-07-11T01:55:56","modified_gmt":"2025-07-11T01:55:56","password":"","slug":"logical-reasoning-how-can-logic-strengthen-an-argument","status":"publish","type":"docs","link":"https:\/\/resources.kialo-edu.com\/en\/docs\/logical-reasoning-how-can-logic-strengthen-an-argument\/","title":{"rendered":"How can logic strengthen an argument?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Focus:<\/strong> <em><em><em>How can logic strengthen an argument?<\/em><\/em><\/em><\/p><p>Suggested length: 1 hour<\/p><p>Learning objectives:<\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Identify how language acts as both a gatekeeper and enabler of knowledge in the digital age.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Recognize the dominance of English in online spaces and evaluate its effects on knowledge access and representation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Begin to understand the relationship between language, power, and knowledge construction.<\/li>\n<\/ul><figure class=\"wp-block-table align-top\"><table class=\"has-background has-fixed-layout\" style=\"background-color:#e9f1fb\"><thead><tr><th class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Approaches to Learning<\/th><th class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Vocabulary<\/th><th class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Reflection Questions<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Thinking Skills<\/strong><br>Construct arguments logically using premises and conclusions.<br>Develop lines of reasoning.<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">\n          premise<br>conclusion<br>claim<br>counterclaim<br>critical thinking\n        <\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">What premises (reasons\/evidence) support your main conclusion?<br><br> What might someone on the other side say in response to your claim?<br><br> How would you strengthen your claim against this counterargument?<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure><style>#sp-ea-1570 .spcollapsing { height: 0; overflow: hidden; transition-property: height;transition-duration: 300ms;}#sp-ea-1570.sp-easy-accordion>.sp-ea-single {margin-bottom: 10px; border: 1px solid #e2e2e2; }#sp-ea-1570.sp-easy-accordion>.sp-ea-single>.ea-header a {color: #444;}#sp-ea-1570.sp-easy-accordion>.sp-ea-single>.sp-collapse>.ea-body {background: #fff; color: #444;}#sp-ea-1570.sp-easy-accordion>.sp-ea-single {background: #eee;}#sp-ea-1570.sp-easy-accordion>.sp-ea-single>.ea-header a .ea-expand-icon { float: left; color: #444;font-size: 16px;}<\/style><div id=\"sp_easy_accordion-1752080851\"><div id=\"sp-ea-1570\" class=\"sp-ea-one sp-easy-accordion\" data-ea-active=\"ea-click\" data-ea-mode=\"vertical\" data-preloader=\"\" data-scroll-active-item=\"\" data-offset-to-scroll=\"0\"><div class=\"ea-card sp-ea-single\"><h3 class=\"ea-header\"><a class=\"collapsed\" id=\"ea-header-15700\" role=\"button\" data-sptoggle=\"spcollapse\" data-sptarget=\"#collapse15700\" aria-controls=\"collapse15700\" href=\"#\" aria-expanded=\"false\" tabindex=\"0\"><i aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"ea-expand-icon eap-icon-ea-expand-plus\"><\/i> Resources and Preparation<\/a><\/h3><div class=\"sp-collapse spcollapse spcollapse\" id=\"collapse15700\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"ea-header-15700\"> <div class=\"ea-body\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/support.kialo-edu.com\/en\/hc\/cloning-a-discussion\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"unsafe-url\">Clone<\/a> the following discussion and share it with students: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kialo-edu.com\/p\/eab9e546-9a1d-4f47-8bce-711ef7a39d68\/147557\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"unsafe-url\">What is the best way to fight climate change?<\/a><\/p><p>Create a new Kialo discussion with the question \"<i>Should governments implement strict regulations to cut plastic production?\" <\/i>and the thesis \"<i>Governments should<\/i> <i>implement strict regulations to cut plastic production.\".<\/i><\/p><p><\/p><p>Use <a href=\"https:\/\/support.kialo-edu.com\/en\/hc\/small-group-mode\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"unsafe-url\">Small Group Mode<\/a> to give groups access to their own version of the discussion, if appropriate.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"ea-card sp-ea-single\"><h3 class=\"ea-header\"><a class=\"collapsed\" id=\"ea-header-15701\" role=\"button\" data-sptoggle=\"spcollapse\" data-sptarget=\"#collapse15701\" aria-controls=\"collapse15701\" href=\"#\" aria-expanded=\"false\" tabindex=\"0\"><i aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"ea-expand-icon eap-icon-ea-expand-plus\"><\/i> Homework Preparation Task<\/a><\/h3><div class=\"sp-collapse spcollapse spcollapse\" id=\"collapse15701\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"ea-header-15701\"> <div class=\"ea-body\"><p>You may wish to share article <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/environment\/2024\/nov\/14\/global-plastic-production-cut-pollution-waste-un-treaty\" target=\"_blank\">one<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/insideclimatenews.org\/news\/19072024\/biden-administration-acknowledges-plastic-pollution-crisis\/\" target=\"_blank\">two<\/a> with students before the session or have them conduct their own research into the topic of reducing plastic.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"ea-card sp-ea-single\"><h3 class=\"ea-header\"><a class=\"collapsed\" id=\"ea-header-15702\" role=\"button\" data-sptoggle=\"spcollapse\" data-sptarget=\"#collapse15702\" aria-controls=\"collapse15702\" href=\"#\" aria-expanded=\"false\" tabindex=\"0\"><i aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"ea-expand-icon eap-icon-ea-expand-plus\"><\/i> Introduction<\/a><\/h3><div class=\"sp-collapse spcollapse spcollapse\" id=\"collapse15702\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"ea-header-15702\"> <div class=\"ea-body\"><p>Ask students what comes to mind when they hear the word &ldquo;argument.&rdquo;<\/p><p>Use their responses to establish a definition of an academic argument e.g., An argument is a set of premises that support a conclusion.<\/p><p>Use an example to clarify the meaning of premises and conclusions e.g.,:<\/p><ul><li><b>Premise 1<\/b>: All mammals are animals.<\/li><li><b>Premise 2<\/b>: All whales are mammals.<\/li><li><b>Conclusion<\/b>: Therefore, all whales are animals.<\/li><\/ul><p>Explain that a key part of critical thinking is being able to deconstruct arguments to assess their validity (logical consistency), logic (how well the argument flows), and soundness (truthfulness of the premises).<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"ea-card sp-ea-single\"><h3 class=\"ea-header\"><a class=\"collapsed\" id=\"ea-header-15703\" role=\"button\" data-sptoggle=\"spcollapse\" data-sptarget=\"#collapse15703\" aria-controls=\"collapse15703\" href=\"#\" aria-expanded=\"false\" tabindex=\"0\"><i aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"ea-expand-icon eap-icon-ea-expand-plus\"><\/i> Main Activity<\/a><\/h3><div class=\"sp-collapse spcollapse spcollapse\" id=\"collapse15703\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"ea-header-15703\"> <div class=\"ea-body\"><p><strong>Part 1: Familiarization<\/strong><\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/support.kialo-edu.com\/en\/hc\/cloning-a-discussion\/\" target=\"_blank\" referrerpolicy=\"unsafe-url\">Clone<\/a> and share the Kialo discussion <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kialo-edu.com\/p\/eab9e546-9a1d-4f47-8bce-711ef7a39d68\/147557\" target=\"_blank\" referrerpolicy=\"unsafe-url\" rel=\"nofollow\">What is the best way to fight climate change?<\/a> with students. (You may wish to use <a href=\"https:\/\/support.kialo-edu.com\/en\/hc\/small-group-mode\/\" target=\"_blank\" referrerpolicy=\"unsafe-url\">Small Group Mode<\/a>.)<\/p><p>Once students have familiarized themselves with the discussion, discuss how the pro\/con structure allows claims and counterclaims to be organised clearly.<\/p><p>Explain that in a Kialo discussion, the <a href=\"https:\/\/support.kialo-edu.com\/en\/hc\/writing-an-effective-thesis-for-student-discussions\/\" target=\"_blank\" referrerpolicy=\"unsafe-url\">thesis<\/a> or theses is\/are the main conclusions and the claims and counterclaims are the premises. They may also represent sub-conclusions. A well-made argument is composed of the same structure, organized in a logical way.<\/p><p>As a class, identify examples of premises and conclusions within the discussion.<\/p><p>Note that arguments are supported by sources and examples.<\/p><p><strong>Part 2: Kialo Discussion<\/strong><\/p><p>Students should work in small groups appropriate to the class size.<\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/support.kialo-edu.com\/en\/hc\/creating-a-discussion\/\" target=\"_blank\" referrerpolicy=\"unsafe-url\">Create a new Kialo discussion<\/a> with the question <b><i>Should governments implement strict regulations to cut plastic production?<\/i><\/b> and the thesis <b><i>Governments should<\/i><\/b> <b><i>implement strict regulations to cut plastic production.<\/i><\/b><\/p><p>Use <a href=\"https:\/\/support.kialo-edu.com\/en\/hc\/small-group-mode\/\" target=\"_blank\" referrerpolicy=\"unsafe-url\">Small Group Mode<\/a> to give groups access to their own version of the discussion, if appropriate.<\/p><p>Students will apply their knowledge from the introduction by independently adding claims and counterclaims to the discussion.<\/p><p>Students will need access to these articles as the basis for their arguments:<\/p><ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/environment\/2024\/nov\/14\/global-plastic-production-cut-pollution-waste-un-treaty\" target=\"_blank\">Global plastic production must be cut to curb pollution, study says<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/insideclimatenews.org\/news\/19072024\/biden-administration-acknowledges-plastic-pollution-crisis\/\" target=\"_blank\">Plastics Pollution Has Become a &lsquo;Crisis,&rsquo; Biden Administration Acknowledges<\/a><\/li><\/ul><p>Ask groups to identify the main premises and conclusions for both sides of the argument within the articles.<\/p><p>They may find it helpful to highlight these in different colors on paper or electronic copies of the articles.<\/p><p>They may also wish to conduct their own independent research.<\/p><p>Show students how to deconstruct a simple argument from one of the articles into claims to develop an individual line of reasoning e.g.,<\/p><ul><li>Mismanaged plastic waste will double to 121m tonnes by 2050 if limits are not placed on the production of plastic.<\/li><li>This waste will leach into the environment.<\/li><li>It could be harmful to people&rsquo;s health.<\/li><\/ul><p>Groups should then continue to add their own claims and counterclaims to the discussion based on the articles and their research.<\/p><p>To guide students, use <a href=\"https:\/\/support.kialo-edu.com\/en\/hc\/about-tasks\/\" target=\"_blank\" referrerpolicy=\"unsafe-url\">Tasks<\/a> to assign them a specific number of claims to write.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"ea-card sp-ea-single\"><h3 class=\"ea-header\"><a class=\"collapsed\" id=\"ea-header-15704\" role=\"button\" data-sptoggle=\"spcollapse\" data-sptarget=\"#collapse15704\" aria-controls=\"collapse15704\" href=\"#\" aria-expanded=\"false\" tabindex=\"0\"><i aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"ea-expand-icon eap-icon-ea-expand-plus\"><\/i> Reflection Activity<\/a><\/h3><div class=\"sp-collapse spcollapse spcollapse\" id=\"collapse15704\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"ea-header-15704\"> <div class=\"ea-body\"><p>Ask students to reflect on their claims using these prompts:<\/p><ul><li>What is the main conclusion of your argument?<\/li><li>What premises (reasons\/evidence) support it?<\/li><li>What might someone on the other side say in response to your claim?<\/li><li>How would you strengthen your claim against this counterargument?<\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Related Materials<\/h2><div data-height=\"auto\">\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.kialo-edu.com\/p\/eab9e546-9a1d-4f47-8bce-711ef7a39d68\/147557\" referrerpolicy=\"unsafe-url\" rel=\"nofollow\">What is the best way to fight climate change?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/strong> &mdash; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kialo-edu.com\" referrerpolicy=\"unsafe-url\">kialo-edu.com<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<script async=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kialo-edu.com\/assets\/static\/js\/embedded-kialo.min.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\t\t<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Focus: How can logic strengthen an argument?Suggested length: 1 hourLearning objectives: Approaches to Learning Vocabulary Reflection Questions Thinking SkillsConstruct arguments logically using premises and conclusions.Develop lines of reasoning. premiseconclusionclaimcounterclaimcritical thinking What premises (reasons\/evidence) support your main conclusion? What might someone on the other side say in response to your claim? How would you strengthen your [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":33,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":true,"wds_primary_doc_category":0,"wds_primary_doc_tag":0,"footnotes":""},"doc_category":[29],"doc_tag":[],"class_list":["post-1578","docs","type-docs","status-publish","hentry","doc_category-reason-arg"],"acf":[],"year_month":"2026-05","word_count":108,"total_views":"26","reactions":{"happy":"0","normal":"0","sad":"0"},"author_info":{"name":"Louise","author_nicename":"louise","author_url":"https:\/\/resources.kialo-edu.com\/en\/author\/louise\/"},"doc_category_info":[{"term_name":"Reasoning and Argumentation","term_url":"https:\/\/resources.kialo-edu.com\/en\/docs-category\/reason-arg\/"}],"doc_tag_info":[],"knowledge_base_info":[],"knowledge_base_slug":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/resources.kialo-edu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/docs\/1578","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/resources.kialo-edu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/docs"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/resources.kialo-edu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/docs"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/resources.kialo-edu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/33"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/resources.kialo-edu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1578"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/resources.kialo-edu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/docs\/1578\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/resources.kialo-edu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1578"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"doc_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/resources.kialo-edu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/doc_category?post=1578"},{"taxonomy":"doc_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/resources.kialo-edu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/doc_tag?post=1578"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}