CurriculumGrade 9English Language Arts

Evaluating a Speaker's Reasoning

Aligned to SL.9-10.3 — Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts.

What this lesson teaches

Listen critically to judge a speaker's point of view, reasoning, and evidence, and to spot fallacies or distorted facts.

Worked example

A speaker claims 'everyone agrees we need this rule,' offering no data — the bandwagon appeal replaces evidence, a fallacy a careful listener should flag.

Practice questions

  1. Identify a speaker's main claim and the reasoning behind it.
  2. Spot one fallacy or unsupported statement in an argument you hear.
  3. Explain how a speaker's point of view might distort the evidence chosen.

Watch the lesson

Every lesson comes with a video taught in English and Spanish — the same video the QR code in the printed workbook opens.

▶ Watch this lesson

En español

Evaluar el razonamiento de quien habla

Escucha con criterio para juzgar el punto de vista, el razonamiento y la evidencia de quien habla, y para detectar falacias o datos distorsionados.

Ejemplo: Un orador afirma «todos están de acuerdo en que necesitamos esta regla», sin ofrecer datos; la apelación al arrastre reemplaza la evidencia, una falacia que un oyente atento debe señalar.

More Speaking & Listening lessons

Collaborative DiscussionSL.9-10.1Integrating Sources from MediaSL.9-10.2Presenting Ideas ClearlySL.9-10.4Digital Media in PresentationsSL.9-10.5Adapting Speech to ContextSL.9-10.6

Teach this lesson today

An AI tutor that guides with questions instead of just giving answers — all K–12 core subjects, every child in the family.

Start free — no card required