{"id":1586,"date":"2025-07-11T01:20:22","date_gmt":"2025-07-11T01:20:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/resources.kialo-edu.com\/?post_type=docs&#038;p=1586"},"modified":"2025-07-11T01:55:28","modified_gmt":"2025-07-11T01:55:28","password":"","slug":"evidence-based-thinking-how-does-evidence-improve-an-argument","status":"publish","type":"docs","link":"https:\/\/resources.kialo-edu.com\/en\/docs\/evidence-based-thinking-how-does-evidence-improve-an-argument\/","title":{"rendered":"How does evidence improve an argument?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Focus:<\/strong> <em><em><em>How does evidence improve an argument?<\/em><\/em><\/em><\/p><p>Suggested length: 1 hour<\/p><p>Learning objectives:<\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>To construct an argument by adding claims and counterclaims.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>To strengthen claims with evidence.<\/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>Communication Skills<\/strong> <br>Construct arguments using claims and counterclaims.<br><br><strong>Research Skills<\/strong> <br>Access, evaluate, organize, and use information from a variety of sources.<ul style=\"margin:0; padding-left:20px; list-style-position:inside;\"><br><\/ul><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">argument<br>claim<br>counterclaim<br>line of reasoning<br>source<br>evaluate<br>justify<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">How can including counterclaims make your argument stronger instead of weaker?<br><br>How does evidence change how people respond to your argument?<br><br>If someone challenges your opinion, how can you use both logic and evidence to respond effectively?<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure><style>#sp-ea-1572 .spcollapsing { height: 0; overflow: hidden; transition-property: height;transition-duration: 300ms;}#sp-ea-1572.sp-easy-accordion>.sp-ea-single {margin-bottom: 10px; border: 1px solid #e2e2e2; }#sp-ea-1572.sp-easy-accordion>.sp-ea-single>.ea-header a {color: #444;}#sp-ea-1572.sp-easy-accordion>.sp-ea-single>.sp-collapse>.ea-body {background: #fff; color: #444;}#sp-ea-1572.sp-easy-accordion>.sp-ea-single {background: #eee;}#sp-ea-1572.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-1752081378\"><div id=\"sp-ea-1572\" 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-15720\" role=\"button\" data-sptoggle=\"spcollapse\" data-sptarget=\"#collapse15720\" aria-controls=\"collapse15720\" 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=\"collapse15720\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"ea-header-15720\"> <div class=\"ea-body\"><ol><li>For this lesson, you will need to <a href=\"https:\/\/support.kialo-edu.com\/en\/hc\/creating-a-discussion\/\" target=\"_blank\" referrerpolicy=\"unsafe-url\">create your own discussion<\/a> or select a discussion from the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kialo-edu.com\/debate-topics-and-argumentative-essay-topics\" target=\"_blank\" referrerpolicy=\"unsafe-url\">Topic Library<\/a> (see suggestions in the next section). Instructions can be found <a href=\"https:\/\/support.kialo-edu.com\/en\/hc\/about-discussion-templates\/\" target=\"_blank\" referrerpolicy=\"unsafe-url\">here<\/a>.<\/li><li>You will need to enable <a href=\"https:\/\/support.kialo-edu.com\/en\/hc\/about-voting\/\" target=\"_blank\" referrerpolicy=\"unsafe-url\">Voting.<\/a><\/li><\/ol><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"ea-card sp-ea-single\"><h3 class=\"ea-header\"><a class=\"collapsed\" id=\"ea-header-15721\" role=\"button\" data-sptoggle=\"spcollapse\" data-sptarget=\"#collapse15721\" aria-controls=\"collapse15721\" 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=\"collapse15721\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"ea-header-15721\"> <div class=\"ea-body\"><p>In this lesson, students will practice constructing evidence-backed arguments on a topic of your choice.<\/p><p>Here are some suggestions from the Kialo Topic Library:<\/p><p><b>Individuals and Societies (Digital Society)<\/b><\/p><ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kialo-edu.com\/debate-topics-and-argumentative-essay-topics\" target=\"_blank\" referrerpolicy=\"unsafe-url\">Should kids be able to have social media?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kialo-edu.com\/debate-topics-and-argumentative-essay-topics\/110786\" target=\"_blank\" referrerpolicy=\"unsafe-url\" rel=\"nofollow\">Is social media making us less social?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kialo-edu.com\/debate-topics-and-argumentative-essay-topics\/88131\" target=\"_blank\" referrerpolicy=\"unsafe-url\" rel=\"nofollow\">Is social media a threat or benefit to democracy?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><p><b>Individuals and Societies (History)<\/b><\/p><ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kialo-edu.com\/debate-topics-and-argumentative-essay-topics\/109311\" target=\"_blank\" referrerpolicy=\"unsafe-url\" rel=\"nofollow\">Should we remove statues of problematic historical figures?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kialo-edu.com\/debate-topics-and-argumentative-essay-topics\/111188\" target=\"_blank\" referrerpolicy=\"unsafe-url\" rel=\"nofollow\">Should we see the suffragettes as heroes?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kialo-edu.com\/debate-topics-and-argumentative-essay-topics\/91675\" target=\"_blank\" referrerpolicy=\"unsafe-url\" rel=\"nofollow\">What was the main cause of World War I?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><p><b>Language and Literature<\/b><\/p><ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kialo-edu.com\/debate-topics-and-argumentative-essay-topics\/96753\" target=\"_blank\" referrerpolicy=\"unsafe-url\" rel=\"nofollow\">Should schools be able to ban books?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kialo-edu.com\/debate-topics-and-argumentative-essay-topics\/114099\" target=\"_blank\" referrerpolicy=\"unsafe-url\" rel=\"nofollow\">Should Shakespeare still be taught in schools?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><p><b>Sciences<\/b><\/p><ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kialo-edu.com\/debate-topics-and-argumentative-essay-topics\/439401\" target=\"_blank\" referrerpolicy=\"unsafe-url\" rel=\"nofollow\">Can AI replace teachers?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kialo-edu.com\/debate-topics-and-argumentative-essay-topics\/115244\" target=\"_blank\" referrerpolicy=\"unsafe-url\" rel=\"nofollow\">Should AI tools be allowed in school assessments?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><p><b>TOK<\/b><\/p><ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kialo-edu.com\/debate-topics-and-argumentative-essay-topics\/93086\" target=\"_blank\" referrerpolicy=\"unsafe-url\" rel=\"nofollow\">Can we ever truly know history?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kialo-edu.com\/debate-topics-and-argumentative-essay-topics\/352965\" target=\"_blank\" referrerpolicy=\"unsafe-url\" rel=\"nofollow\">Does language determine knowledge?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><p>If you're introducing a new topic, ensure students have adequate time to research it before the lesson begins.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"ea-card sp-ea-single\"><h3 class=\"ea-header\"><a class=\"collapsed\" id=\"ea-header-15722\" role=\"button\" data-sptoggle=\"spcollapse\" data-sptarget=\"#collapse15722\" aria-controls=\"collapse15722\" 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=\"collapse15722\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"ea-header-15722\"> <div class=\"ea-body\"><p><strong>Rapid Review<\/strong><\/p><p>Divide students into teams.<\/p><p>Set a two-minute time limit for students to recap their knowledge on constructing arguments..<\/p><p>When time is up, ask each group to give feedback on one aspect of their discussion.<\/p><p>Groups must not repeat something that has already been mentioned. Instead, they must choose a different aspect.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"ea-card sp-ea-single\"><h3 class=\"ea-header\"><a class=\"collapsed\" id=\"ea-header-15723\" role=\"button\" data-sptoggle=\"spcollapse\" data-sptarget=\"#collapse15723\" aria-controls=\"collapse15723\" 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=\"collapse15723\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"ea-header-15723\"> <div class=\"ea-body\"><p><strong>Kialo Discussion<\/strong><\/p><p>Ensure students have had sufficient time to research your chosen discussion topic.<\/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 share your chosen discussion with each group.<\/p><p>Within their groups, students will respond to the discussion question, using the skills from this unit.<\/p><p>All the discussions in the Topic Library contain starter claims to prompt students&rsquo; ideas.<\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/support.kialo-edu.com\/en\/hc\/about-tasks\/\" target=\"_blank\" referrerpolicy=\"unsafe-url\">Assign the following tasks<\/a> to guide your students&rsquo; contributions, adjusting the totals to suit your class:<\/p><ul><li>Write claims (so students can practice constructing arguments. This number represents the total number of claims you&rsquo;d like students to add).<\/li><li>Write claims under others&rsquo; claims (so students can practice evaluating the strength of their peers&rsquo; claims before responding).<\/li><li>Write claims under your own claims (so students can practice developing lines of reasoning).<\/li><li>Link to a source in your own claims (so students can practice strengthening their claims).<\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"ea-card sp-ea-single\"><h3 class=\"ea-header\"><a class=\"collapsed\" id=\"ea-header-15724\" role=\"button\" data-sptoggle=\"spcollapse\" data-sptarget=\"#collapse15724\" aria-controls=\"collapse15724\" 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=\"collapse15724\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"ea-header-15724\"> <div class=\"ea-body\"><p>Students will reflect on the activity by <a href=\"https:\/\/support.kialo-edu.com\/en\/hc\/about-voting\/\" target=\"_blank\" referrerpolicy=\"unsafe-url\">voting<\/a> on which of their claims are most impactful.<\/p><p>Each group then shares one high-impact and one low-impact claim, explaining their ratings based on what they&rsquo;ve learned.<\/p><p>Close the session with the following reflection questions:<\/p><ul><li>When you're in a debate or disagreement in real life how can including counterclaims make your argument stronger instead of weaker?<\/li><li>Why is it important to back up your claims with sources when discussing controversial or emotional topics in real life?<\/li><li>How does evidence change how people respond to your argument?<\/li><li>If someone challenges your opinion, how can you use both logic and evidence to respond effectively without shutting down the conversation?<\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Related Materials: Example Discussion<\/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\/debate-topics-and-argumentative-essay-topics\/110786\" referrerpolicy=\"unsafe-url\" rel=\"nofollow\">Is social media making us less social?<\/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 does evidence improve an argument?Suggested length: 1 hourLearning objectives: Approaches to Learning Vocabulary Reflection Questions Communication Skills Construct arguments using claims and counterclaims. Research Skills Access, evaluate, organize, and use information from a variety of sources. argumentclaimcounterclaimline of reasoningsourceevaluatejustify How can including counterclaims make your argument stronger instead of weaker? How does evidence [&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":[30],"doc_tag":[],"class_list":["post-1586","docs","type-docs","status-publish","hentry","doc_category-research-ev"],"acf":[],"year_month":"2026-05","word_count":96,"total_views":"17","reactions":{"happy":"21","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":"Research and Evidence","term_url":"https:\/\/resources.kialo-edu.com\/en\/docs-category\/research-ev\/"}],"doc_tag_info":[],"knowledge_base_info":[],"knowledge_base_slug":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/resources.kialo-edu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/docs\/1586","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=1586"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/resources.kialo-edu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/docs\/1586\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/resources.kialo-edu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1586"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"doc_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/resources.kialo-edu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/doc_category?post=1586"},{"taxonomy":"doc_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/resources.kialo-edu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/doc_tag?post=1586"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}