Quiz Review

Activity #1 -
Evaluating
Arguments!!
You tried it in groups, now
see if you can do it on your
own!
 Sort the CLAIMS below into the appropriate boxes
Claims of Fact (2) Claims of Policy (2) Claims of Value (2)

Homework is a major source of stress for students Schools should teach kids how to play Chess

Chess is a game of strategy that can help you learn Chess is a better game than Checkers

Homework is good because it helps students practice important skills Teachers should not give out homework
 INDUCTIVE: Makes a generalization (or an educated guess)
based on observable evidence.

PATTERNS OF REASONING DEDUCTIVE: Uses observable evidence to conclude beyond a

doubt that a certain conclusion will be true.
VALID: If the two premises are assumed to be true, then the
conclusion is guaranteed to be true

Ducks float in water. 1. INDUCTIVE or DEDUCTIVE?

Boats float in water. 2. Valid, or NOT Valid?

Therefore, ducks are boats.

Ducks are birds. 1. INDUCTIVE or DEDUCTIVE?

Birds have wings. 2. Valid, or NOT Valid?

Therefore, ducks have wings.

Which evidence is RELEVANT to the claim?
CLAIM: Columbus Day should NOT be a federal holiday because of how Christopher
Columbus treated the Indigenous people of the Carribean.

a. Christopher Columbus was an Italian explorer and navigator who completed four voyages
across the Atlantic Ocean.
b. Columbus enslaved the native Taíno people in the Bahamas and exposed them to disease,
causing 80-90% of their population to die.
c. Columbus’ missions were sponsored by the Catholic Monarchs of Spain.
d. Columbus died at age 54.

Highlight the correct answer.

 INDUCTIVE: Makes a generalization (or an educated guess)

PATTERNS OF REASONING based on observable evidence.

DEDUCTIVE: Uses observable evidence to conclude beyond a
doubt that a certain conclusion will be true.

CLAIM: Burning fossil fuels like coal and oil is the main reason behind climate change.

REASONING: Burning fossil fuels releases Carbon Dioxide into the atmosphere, and
Carbon Dioxide is a “greenhouse gas”. Climate experts say that greenhouse gases
account for over two-thirds (66%) of the Global Warming effect. Since burning fossil
fuels releases greenhouse gases, and since greenhouse gases are driving global
warming, the only possible conclusion is that burning fossil fuels is the primary reason
behind climate change.

INDUCTIVE or DEDUCTIVE?
 INDUCTIVE: Makes a generalization (or an educated guess)

PATTERNS OF REASONING based on observable evidence.

DEDUCTIVE: Uses observable evidence to conclude beyond a
doubt that a certain conclusion will be true.

CLAIM: One billion people are addicted to coffee

REASONING: Approximately 1 billion people worldwide drink coffee. One of the main
ingredients in coffee is caffeine. Caffeine is technically a drug because it creates
chemical changes in the brain and it can be addictive. Therefore, one billion people in
the world must be addicted to coffee.

INDUCTIVE or DEDUCTIVE?
 CLAIM
Match each of the following claims to the most
RELEVANT piece of evidence to support it
“Social media can be used for organising activities, events, or groups to
Social media has a negative impact on people’s
mental health
Social media is a great thing because it connects
people in ways that were never possible before
Children below the age of 16
should
not be on social media
Social media is good because it helps
make more people aware of important
issues
EVIDENCE
Match each piece of evidence with the claim it best
supports
showcase issues and opinions and make a wider audience aware of
them”
“Social media may provide individuals with a platform that
overcomes barriers of distance and time, allowing them to connect
and reconnect with others”
“Social media use may contribute to an increased risk of depression
and anxiety symptoms”
“Studies have proven that social media is addictive, that it
interferes with sleep, and that it gets in the way of school work and
grades”