The Proper Mascot
A 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 Write
Is 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 Mascots
1. You are going to work with a group of 3-4 people.
a.
b.
c.
d.
Leader – Keep everyone on task
Scribe – Write down your warrants
Timekeeper – Watch the clock (5 minutes)
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…”
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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
A new school, John L.Mascot
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 Manatee
What 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 Miner
What are the attributes of a miner?
What features or characteristics do you
associate with a miner?
Attributes of A Lemur
What 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?