If you're unfamiliar with the CASEL framework, we highly recommend reading this article first, as it will greatly enhance your understanding of soft skills.
Check it out here.
Introduction to Argumentation:
Argumentation is the ability to present and defend an idea or viewpoint through reasoning and evidence. It involves understanding different perspectives, constructing coherent arguments, and engaging in respectful debate. This skill is vital for effective communication and critical thinking, enabling individuals to navigate complex social, academic, and professional environments.
Core Area of Competence:
The Argumentation skill is found in the following core areas of competence, and more specifically under a core behavior of each area:
Self-Management: Manage and express one’s emotions, thoughts, impulses, and stress in constructive ways.
Relationship Management: Address interpersonal conflict.
Responsible Decision-Making: Apply and evaluate decision-making skills to engage in a variety of situations.
Core Behaviors that require Argumentation:
6-8 Years:
Self-Management:
Expressing Opinions: Learning to articulate preferences or opinions in a respectful manner.
Example: A child explains why they prefer a certain book over another, using reasons like the story or the characters.
Relationship Management:
Listening and Responding: Developing the ability to listen to others’ opinions and respond thoughtfully.
Example: During a classroom discussion on favorite animals, a child listens to their peers’ preferences and then shares their own choice, explaining why without dismissing others.
Responsible Decision-Making:
Considering Consequences: Beginning to understand that different choices lead to different outcomes.
Example: A child decides to share their toys with a friend after considering that it could make playtime more fun for both.
9-11 Years:
Self-Management:
Regulating Emotions in Debate: Managing feelings when disagreements arise, maintaining composure to argue points effectively.
Example: A learner feels annoyed when their idea for the class project isn't immediately liked by peers. Instead of reacting negatively, they clearly explain why they think their idea could be fun and educational for everyone.
Relationship Management:
Understanding Different Perspectives: Engaging in discussions that require considering and respectfully discussing viewpoints different from their own.
Example: In a group discussion about the best superhero, a learner initially insists their choice is the best but soon starts to ask why others prefer different heroes, eventually appreciating multiple viewpoints.
Responsible Decision-Making:
Analyzing Situations: Evaluating different aspects of a discussion to make informed contributions.
Example: In a discussion about organizing a class field trip, a learner thinks carefully about the various suggestions. They share their thoughts, explaining their reasoning to the class.
12-14 Years:
Self-Management:
Advanced Emotional Regulation: Demonstrating control over emotions even in heated debates, using strategies to remain focused and articulate.
Example: During a heated discussion in a group chat about the best strategy for a group video project, one learner feels their ideas are being overlooked. They take a moment to collect their thoughts and then clearly explain their proposal, highlighting how it could effectively combine everyone's ideas, thus maintaining composure and facilitating a productive discussion.
Relationship Management:
Collaborative Problem Solving: Working with others to find common ground or solutions through argumentation.
Example: During a project, two learners want to research different topics. After discussing, they decide to combine their interests into a project that covers both topics, showing how dialogue and compromise can lead to innovative solutions that satisfy everyone involved.
Responsible Decision-Making:
Evaluating Evidence: Making use of logic and evidence to support arguments.
Example: Faced with the decision to elect a class representative, the learner weighs the qualities of each candidate, considering who would best represent their class’s interests.
15-17 Years:
Self-Management:
Strategic Argumentation: Utilizing advanced techniques in forming and expressing arguments, including anticipating counterarguments.
Example: While discussing weekend plans with friends, a learner proposes a visit to a new museum exhibition. When some express disinterest, the learner thoughtfully presents the unique benefits of the experience, such as the exhibition’s relevance to their shared school project, and suggests a popular activity afterward, addressing potential objections and finding a balance that excites everyone.
Relationship Management:
Negotiating and Mediating: Facilitating discussions to resolve conflicts or reach decisions, using argumentation skills to guide toward agreement.
Example: A student council president mediates a dispute between the students and the school board, helping them articulate their concerns and negotiate a compromise.
Responsible Decision-Making:
Critical Evaluation: Assessing the validity and relevance of one’s own and others’ arguments in complex discussions.
Example: During a family discussion about planning a summer vacation, a learner listens to suggestions from the rest of the family about various destinations. They then thoughtfully consider the pros and cons of each option, taking into account the budget, interests of all family members, and the travel restrictions, ultimately suggesting a destination that offers something enjoyable for everyone while staying within budget.
Promoting Argumentation:
For Parents and Care Givers:
Engage your children in discussions that encourage them to think critically about what they see or hear, such as advertisements or news stories. Ask them to identify the main points and question the evidence behind those claims.
Encourage your children to articulate their thoughts and opinions on various topics, providing a safe space for them to practice expressing themselves.
Model constructive argumentation by discussing family decisions or current events, showcasing how to use evidence and reason in discussions.
Encourage children to negotiate for what they want or need, whether it’s choosing a movie for family movie night or negotiating extra screen time. Guide them on how to present their case logically and listen to counterarguments.
Support participation in activities that nurture argumentation skills, such as debate clubs or public speaking courses.
For Tutors:
Create simulations of real-life negotiation or decision-making scenarios, such as planning a community project or resolving a conflict, where students must use argumentation to advocate for their positions.
Teach the components of a strong argument, including how to make a claim, provide evidence, and acknowledge counterarguments.
Create a classroom environment that values diverse opinions and encourages learners to explore multiple sides of an issue.
Feedback and Reflection:
To help children understand opposing viewpoints, engage in role-play where you each argue from a different perspective than your own. Discuss afterward how it felt to see things from another angle and how it could strengthen future arguments.
Provide specific feedback on learners' argumentation techniques, highlighting strengths and areas for improvement.
Encourage self-reflection after debates or discussions, asking learners to consider how they formulated their arguments and how they might improve. Provide students with reflection prompts that guide them in analyzing their argumentation process deeply. For example, "Identify a moment you felt your argument was strong and one moment you felt unsure. What can you learn from both?”
Facilitate goal-setting for enhancing argumentation skills, focusing on areas such as evidence evaluation, emotional regulation during debates, or understanding opposing viewpoints.
Additional Resources:
Read the "Thank You for Arguing" by Jay Heinrichs offers insights into the art of persuasion and argumentation.
Find out more on how to argue more effectively at Inc.com.
Check at Thoughtful Learning for more tips on how to build strong arguments.
Conclusion:
Mastering argumentation is crucial for effective communication, critical thinking, and informed decision-making. By cultivating this skill, individuals learn to articulate their thoughts clearly, consider multiple viewpoints, and engage in constructive dialogue. Parents, caregivers, and tutors play a key role in supporting the development of argumentation skills, preparing learners to navigate complex discussions with confidence and respect.
References:
Amielia, S. D., Suciati, S., & Maridi, M. (2018). Enhancing students’ argumentation skill using an argument driven inquiry-based module. Journal of Education and Learning (EduLearn), 12(3), 464-471.
Angeloudi, A., & Papageorgiou, G. (2022). Primary students’ argumentation skills on evaporation: A teaching intervention. Preschool and Primary Education, 10(1), 1–24.
Dawson, V. M., & Venville, G. (2010). Teaching strategies for developing students’ argumentation skills about socioscientific issues in high school genetics. Research in Science Education, 40, 133-148.
Dawson, V. (2023). Teachers’ support in developing year 7 students’ argumentation skills about water-based socioscientific issues. International Journal of Science Education, 1-18.
Iordanou, K., & Rapanta, C. (2021). “Argue with me”: A method for developing argument skills. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 631203.
Kristianti, T. P., Ramli, M., & Ariyanto, J. (2018). Improving the argumentative skills of high school students through teacher’s questioning techniques and argumentative assessment. In Journal of Physics: Conference Series (Vol. 1013, No. 1, p. 012012). IOP Publishing.
Kuhn, D., & Crowell, A. (2011). Dialogic Argumentation as a Vehicle for Developing Young Adolescents’ Thinking Psychological Science, 22 (4), 545-552.