Critical Evidence Analysis

A 10th-grade ELA sequence focused on the critical analysis and deconstruction of opposing evidence in debate. Students learn to scrutinize research methodologies, identify logical fallacies like cherry-picking and contextomy, and develop sharp cross-examination skills to expose weaknesses in arguments.

Anatomy of a Flawed Study

Students analyze debunked academic papers to understand failure points such as p-hacking, conflicts of interest, and unrepresentative samples. This lesson builds the foundational skepticism needed to evaluate the quality of research methodologies.

The Art of Selective Truth

Students learn to identify when evidence is taken out of context (contextomy) or when data is selectively presented (cherry-picking). They practice tracing evidence back to its original source to reveal missing information.

The Interrogators Arsenal

Focusing on the strategic formulation of questions, students learn to differentiate between clarifying and challenging questions. They practice drafting questions that expose vulnerabilities in credibility and relevance.

The Hidden Link

Students explore the logical gap between correlation and causation, examining how 'spurious correlations' can mislead. They analyze data sets to identify hidden variables and determine if claims are truly supported by the evidence.

Evidence Showdown

A culminating simulation where students engage in mock cross-examinations. One student presents evidence while another attempts to dismantle it through strategic questioning, focusing on research quality rather than delivery.