Strong Argument Anchor Chart
Argument Guide The Giver • Pages 25–26
How to Build a Strong Argument
Your Mission
Think & Write
The Question You Need to Answer:
Why are the references to Jonas and Gabriel's eyes on pages 25–26 important to the story?
Follow These 3 Thinking Steps:
1 Flip the Prompt
Turn the question into a starter:
"The references to their eyes are important because..."
2 Describe Jonas & Gabe
Ask yourself:
Are their pale eyes common, or do they make them stand out?
3 Compare to the Town
Ask yourself:
In this community, are most people similar or different?
Clue #1: Look at Page 25
What color eyes do almost ALL citizens have?
"Almost all of the citizens in the community had dark eyes... It was considered rude to point out things that were different."
➜ Guide: This proves that most people are expected to be SIMILAR!
Clue #2: Look at Pages 25–26
How do Jonas and baby Gabriel look?
Lily says Gabriel has "pale eyes, just like yours, Jonas!" and Jonas feels self-conscious because it is so rare.
➜ Guide: This proves that Jonas and Gabriel are DIFFERENT!
What Makes an Argument Weak vs. Strong?
A Weak Argument only states a fact:
"The eyes are important because Jonas and Gabriel have light eyes."
⚠ Missing: It forgets to compare them to the rest of the community!
A Strong Argument explains the contrast:
It explains that Jonas and Gabriel are [HOW THEY ARE] while the rest of the community is [HOW OTHERS ARE].
★ Complete: It connects their difference to the community's similarity!
Build Your Argument (Choose 1 Frame & Fill in the Blanks): You Supply the Words!
Frame Option 1 (Cause & Effect):
"The references to Jonas and Gabriel's eyes are important because they show that Jonas and Gabriel are ________________ in a community where almost everyone is ________________."
Frame Option 2 (Contrast):
"On pages 25–26, the references to their pale eyes are important because they reveal that Jonas and Gabriel ________________, even though the citizens in their society are expected to be ________________."
Word Bank:
different similar stand out the same
☐ Restated prompt? • ☐ Compared both sides?
