Writing Arguments

Worksheet Description

This worksheet serves as an educational resource for students to explore and practice the concept of red herring arguments. A red herring is a fallacy that diverts attention from the primary issue to something irrelevant. The sheet presents real issues and tasks students with devising a red herring argument in response, as if part of a debate team. The goal is for students to learn how to recognize and create arguments that intentionally shift focus away from the main topic.

The exercise includes prompts like the right to internet access, the impact of video games on violence, and the role of schools in reducing social pressure. Students are encouraged to write responses that sidestep the central claim, thereby honing their ability to discern and craft arguments that could be used in competitive debate settings. This interactive method of learning allows students to engage critically with argument structures, sharpening their analytical skills for discerning logical fallacies in everyday communication.