Evaluating a Speaker's Argument
Summarise the points a speaker makes and explain how each claim is supported by reasons and evidence, evaluating the logic and relevance of the support
What a learner can do afterwards
- Identify the main claim in a spoken presentation and the evidence used to support it
- Evaluate whether a speaker's reasons logically support their main argument
- Explain which pieces of evidence most effectively support a speaker's points
The lesson
You already know how to find the reasons behind what a speaker says. Now you will check those reasons. A good listener asks: does each reason really explain the claim? Is the evidence strong, or is it weak?
A speaker says, 'Our school should start later because teenagers need more sleep.' She adds that a doctor found teens who sleep more get better grades. That evidence fits the claim. It explains why starting later would help students.
Not every reason is a good one. A strong reason explains why the claim is true. Strong evidence comes from something real, like a study, an expert, or a clear fact, not just a feeling or a guess.
Another speaker says, 'Our school should start later because I don't like waking up early.' That reason is just his opinion. It does not explain why a later start would help every student.
When you evaluate an argument, ask two questions. Does this reason explain the claim? Does this evidence come from a real source? If both answers are yes, the argument is strong.
Check that a speaker's reasons explain the claim and that the evidence comes from a real source.
Watch it
Where it sits
This opens up
Nothing builds on it yet.
Where this leads
Jobs that lean on this skill. Follow one to see everything it is built on.
8 questions wait behind this lesson, each with its answer explained. Every answer feeds the sky: stars light as they are learned, and dim when it is time to come back.