The Proper MascotA Simple Problem of Judgment

Argument is about making a case in support of a claim in

everyday affairs – in science, in policy making, in courtrooms,

and so forth.

Types of Argument

1. Arguments of Fact

2. Arguments of Judgment

3. Arguments of Policy

Today’s Goals

• Today I will write an argument of judgment.

• I know I’ve got it when I can make a claim about a mascot, provide evidence to support my claim and write a warrant that explains why my evidence is important.

• Essential Question: What is an argument of judgment?

Bethel Bulldogs

Quick WriteIs the Bethel Bulldog a good mascot?

If you like it, what makes it a good mascot?

If you don’t like it, what makes it a bad mascot?

Other Mascots

Is This a Good Mascot? Do you think this mascot is a good one?

If you like it, what makes it a good mascot?

If you don’t like it, what makes it a bad mascot?

Is This a Good Mascot?

Do you think this mascot is a good one?

If you like it, what makes it a good mascot?

If you don’t like it, what makes it a bad mascot?

Criteria For A Good Mascot

We are going to make a list of criteria for what makes a good mascot.

Turn and talk with your partner and come up with a list of at least three

characteristics of a good mascot. Then we’ll share them as a group.

Warrants About Mascots1. You are going to work with a group of 3-4

people. a. Leader – Keep everyone on taskb. Scribe – Write down your warrantsc. Timekeeper – Watch the clock (5 minutes)d. Speaker – Present your warrants to the class.

2. Your group needs to propose four or five warrants (rules), a school could use as criteria to guide their selection of a mascot.

3. Use the phrase, “As a rule, a mascot should…”

4. Make sure your group is ready to share your warrants with the class afterwards.

Warrants About Mascots

•“As a rule, a mascot should…”• Be Nice to People• Represent School• Intimidate People• Represent Leadership• Relate to the town or school• Toughness• Show Unity• Should not be offensive • Background connection• Child Friendly• Students are proud of• Welcoming• Academic connection• Likeable• Appropriate to age• Promote personal growth

Share Your Warrants

Share your warrants with the class. Afterwards, we’ll come up with a

common set of criteria for judging a good mascot.

As a general rule, a mascot should…

Criteria Samples• Mascots have to be strong or tough or fierce (e.g., lions,

wildcats, badgers).

• Mascots should have some historical, occupational, or geographic connection to the school or community (e.g., Joliet Ironmen, Wyoming Cowboys, Glenbard West Hilltoppers, Green Bay Packers).

• Mascots should be something that someone would be proud to be (e.g., huskies, dukes, admirals).

• Mascots should have names that fit well (sound good) with the school name (e.g., the Elmhurst Eagles, the Leo Lions, the Hinsdale South Hornets; not the Elmhurst Wagon Wheels or the Hinsdale Green Wave).

Class Discussion

Do mascots have to meet all the criteria in order to be selected or most

or just some?

Selecting a School’s MascotA new school, John L. Lewis Elementary, has just opened in

Floodrock, Illinois. The town is in Saline County, in the very southern region of the state. The current enrollment is 315. The area has two major industries: farming and coal mining. Many families in Saline County have some connection to the coal mines. However, since fewer homes and businesses depend on coal as an energy source these days, mine activity has slowed and coal companies no longer employ many residents. Nevertheless, the citizens of the town of Floodrock associate themselves with the coal industry and have named the school after John L. Lewis, who was the president of the United Mine Workers of America for forty years.

The school has not yet selected a mascot, and the school leaders are running a contest to select one. The mascot’s image will appear on the gym floor, on school stationary, on school spirit wear, and on publications. The four possibilities under final consideration are: lowland gorillas, manatees, lemurs and miners. The students have been asked to judge the contest.

Attributes of A ManateeWhat are the attributes of the

manatee?

What features or characteristics do you associate with a manatee?

Attributes of A Lowland Gorilla

What are the attributes of a lowland gorilla?

What features or characteristics do you associate with a lowland gorilla?

Attributes of A MinerWhat are the attributes of a miner?

What features or characteristics do you associate with a miner?

Attributes of A LemurWhat are the attributes of a lemur?

What features or characteristics do you associate with a manatee?

Write An Argument of Judgment

The bobcat is a good mascot for Edison School. A bobcat is a vey smart animal and

is a strong defender of its home and family. A student at Edison can take pride in being

represented by an animal that is smart and strong protector of its family. Although the

bobcat can be an aggressive fighter, it attacks to survive and to protect its young,

not to be mean.

Major Elements of an Argument

This paragraph has all the major elements of an argument.

1. Claim• The bobcat is a good mascot for Edison School.

2. Evidence• A bobcat is a vey smart animal and is a strong defender of its home

and family.

3. A warrant explaining how the evidence supports the claim

• A student at Edison can take pride in being represented by an animal that is smart and strong protector of its family. Although the bobcat can be an aggressive fighter, it attacks to survive and to protect its young, not to be mean.

Your Turn – Argument of Judgment

You are going to write your own argument of judgment about one of the four finalist

mascots.

1. Use the evaluation criteria we came up with about mascots

2. Use the profile of the school and community

3. Use the mascot’s attributes

4. Explain in a thorough, logical paragraph why the mascot you choose is a good mascot for the John L. Lewis Elementary.

Jada’s Argument of Judgment

A miner is a great mascot for John L. Lewis Elementary School. A miner is a very strong and brave mascot. Students at John L. Lewis elementary should be very proud to have a strong and brave mascot so they can be like miners too.

Miners are also tough and hard working. Students at Lewis Elementary should be tough and stand up for themselves and others. They also should be a hard worker, just like a miner.

Miners also have a very dangerous job and have to show a lot of courage. Students at Lewis Elementary should be courageous and be yourself. That’s why a miner is a great mascot for John L. Lewis elementary school.

Aubree’s Argument of Judgment

After studying John L. Lewis elementary, I have come to a conclusion that the miner would be the best mascot for John L. Lewis elementary. A miner is very courageous and tough. I also believe the school named their school after the President of the United Mine Workers of America for forty years. If I was a student at John L. Lewis elementary I would be proud to be a miner because I would be called courageous and tough. A miner is tough. It would probably intimidate the other schools during sports. Since the school was named after the President of the United Mine Workers it seems that the most reasonable answer for the mascot would be the miners.

Patience’s Argument of Judgment

The dwarfs from Snow White are good mascots for John L. Lewis elementary. The draws are very smart miners, brave and look out for each other. John L. Lewis elementary would learn from that mascot the most by learning to take care of each other. Students at John L. Lewis elementary will be proud of the fact that they have a mascot that teachers them to take care of each other. Also, the people of John L. Lewis would learn from their mascot that no matter the size or age, they can do anything they put their minds to. Finally, this mascot makes the children realize that they’re smart, no matter what.

Camryn’s Argument of Judgment

The gorilla is a good mascot for the school because it is something they would be proud to be. This supports my claim because gorillas are big and bold and an animal that is noticeable. Gorillas are also intimidating because they are big and something most people are afraid of. This supports my claim because when people at the elementary school go to play on a team it makes the mascot look like its hard to fight. This mascot also relates to the community because there are mines and they used to mine. Students should be proud to have this as a mascot because it represents where they live and how their community lives.

Is This a Good Mascot?

What makes a bulldog a good mascot?

Write An Argument of Judgment

Let’s write an argument of judgment about our mascot, the Bethel Bulldog. In our writing we

must:

1. Use the evaluation criteria we came up with about mascots.

2. Use the mascot’s attributes

3. Explain in a thorough, logical paragraph why the Bethel Bulldog is a good mascot for our school.

Today’s Goals

• Today I will write an argument of judgment.

• I know I’ve got it when I can make a claim about a mascot, provide evidence to support my claim and write a warrant that explains why my evidence is important.

• Essential Question: What is an argument of judgment?