Acknowledge a counterclaim and refute it using the concession-pivot-refutation sequence (CCSS W.7.1.a entry expectation)
Exercise
Difficulty 4
~8 min
eng.g6.f.ex_29
Strawman To Steel Man Rewrite
Prompt
Rewrite these 3 strawman counterclaims into steel-man versions: (1) 'Some say uniforms are bad because students hate them.' (2) 'Some say recess wastes time because kids don't learn.' (3) 'Some say homework should be reduced because students are lazy.'
M-6-F-WR-EX-29-A
Interactive
Physical / non-image
Strawman-to-steel-man rewrite worksheet. 3 rows: STRAWMAN / STEEL-MAN REWRITE / WHY THIS IS STRONGER. Print-ready 8.5x11.
Answer criteria
type
rubric
rubric
All 3 steel-manned with intellectually serious version = 4; 2 of 3 = 3; 1 of 3 = 2; remains strawmen = 1
Hints
- Steel-man = state the opposing view AS STRONG as your opponent could.
- Avoid attributing weak motives ('they hate,' 'they are lazy').
Misconceptions to watch
- Steel-mans to a different opposing claim (changes the counterclaim).
- Refuses to engage with the opposition seriously.
Used in lessons