Logic Listening Slides Lesson 1
Logic Listening
Fundamentals
How to hear what's actually being said—and what's missing—in a debate.
LOGIC LAB: DEBATE SERIES
The Hook: Logic Telephone
"We should have longer recess because physical activity improves brain function and helps us focus in math class."
The Goal
Pass this message along without losing the claim or the link .
1
Whisper the argument to your neighbor.
2
The last person says the message aloud.
3
Did the logic survive the journey?
Anatomy of an Argument
1. The Claim
The main point you want people to believe.
2. The Link
The reason WHY your support proves your claim.
Missing the Link?
"We should have longer recess because... well, ice cream is delicious."
Logic Check Failed!
Active Listening Protocol
Isolate the Claim
What exactly are they asking for?
Find the Connection
Does the evidence actually support that specific claim?
Summarize
Can you say it back to them in 10 words or less?
Logic Drill: Does it connect?
Identify the claim and the link. If it's missing, call it out!
A
"Schools should ban homework because it is stressful for families."
✓
B
"We should buy a school bus because the sky is blue today."
✕
C
"Video games are educational because they require quick thinking and problem solving."
✓
Listening Log Worksheet Logic Lab: Listening Log
Unit: Refuting Weak Arguments | Lesson 1
Name:
Date:
PART 1
Deconstructing the Argument
Before we can find logic errors, we have to hear the pieces. For each argument below, identify the CLAIM (what they want) and the SUPPORT (why they say it).
"We should allow phones in class because students can use them to look up facts during history research."
The Claim
The Support
"School should start at 10:00 AM because research shows that teenagers need more sleep to perform well."
The Claim
The Support
PART 2
The Connection Test
Does the support actually prove the claim? If not, explain why the link is broken.
"We need to paint the cafeteria walls neon pink because it will help us score higher on our standardized tests."
Logic Check: PASS
Logic Check: FAIL
If FAIL, why is the link broken?
"The school library should stay open until 6:00 PM because students who stay late to study often get better grades."
Logic Check: PASS
Logic Check: FAIL
If FAIL, why is the link broken?
PART 3
The 10-Word Summary
Listen as your teacher or a classmate presents a short argument. Summarize their entire point in 10 words or less .
Write your summary here
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Stay Under the Limit!
Logic Listener Teacher Guide Teacher Guide
Lesson 1: Logic Listening Fundamentals
Teacher Resource
Duration
45-50 Minutes
Objective
Identify claims & support in speech.
Materials
Slide Deck, Worksheet
Instructional Sequence
00-10
Hook: Logic Telephone
Explain the rules of Telephone but emphasize that students must pass the argument (Claim + Reason). Use the slide example or create your own. Discuss: "What part of the argument was lost first?"
10-25
Direct Instruction: Anatomy of an Argument
Use the Slide Deck to define Claim and Link . Explain that for an argument to be valid, the support must logically connect to the claim. Use the 'Ice Cream' example to show a broken link.
Key Prompt:
"If I say we should go to bed early because bananas are yellow, why doesn't that work? Is the support true? (Yes). Does it prove the claim? (No)."
25-45
Guided Practice: Listening Log
Hand out the worksheet. Students complete Part 1 & 2. For Part 3, read the following argument aloud for them to summarize:
"I believe students should have a voice in choosing their school lunch menus because they are the ones eating the food every day, and they would be less likely to waste food that they actually enjoy."
Answer Key: Listening Log
Part 1, Example 1
Claim: Allow phones in class.Support: Use for history research.
Part 2, Item 1 (Cafeteria)
Logic Check: FAIL.Reason: Wall color does not impact standardized test performance.
Part 1, Example 2
Claim: School starts at 10 AM.Support: Teens need more sleep.
Part 2, Item 2 (Library)
Logic Check: PASS.Reason: More time to study directly supports getting better grades.
Red Herring Slides Lesson 2
Spotting the
Red Herring
How to detect when someone is trying to lead you away from the point.
Logic Lab: Fallacy Files
Wait... What was the topic?
The Teacher says:
"Today we are going to learn about long division. Speaking of division, did I tell you about my cat? He divided his food bowl into two pieces yesterday. He's such a funny cat. He's orange, like the sun..."
DID WE LEARN LONG DIVISION?
The Distraction
This is a Red Herring . It sounds interesting, but it has nothing to do with the main topic.
Origin: Smelly fish used to distract hunting dogs from a scent.
The Red Herring Fallacy
Definition
"Introducing an irrelevant topic to divert attention from the original argument."
Why it works
It's usually about something emotional or interesting that people WANT to talk about.
Why it's weak
It doesn't actually disprove the other person's point. It just hides it.
Red Herring in Action
Person A
"We need to clean up the neighborhood park. There is trash everywhere."
Person B RED HERRING
"Why are you worried about the park when the school cafeteria food is so bad? We should focus on the lunch menu first!"
The park trash is still there.
Conversation Derailed!
How to Refute it
"Don't take the bait!"
1 Name It
Politely point out that the topic has changed.
"That's an interesting point about lunch, but it doesn't solve the park trash problem..."
2 Steer it Back
Return the focus to the original claim.
"...let's finish talking about the park cleanup before we move on to lunch menus."
Distraction Detective Activity Distraction Detective
Lesson 2: Spotting Red Herrings
Agent Name:
The Case: The Diverted Debate
Someone is trying to lead the debate off track using a Red Herring! Your job is to identify the original topic, find the "smelly fish" (the distraction), and write a rebuttal that steers the conversation back.
1
Transcript: The Uniform Debate
Debater A: "I believe our school should require uniforms. It makes getting ready in the morning easier and reduces bullying based on clothing."
Debater B: "Bullying is a major problem, but why are we talking about clothes when the air conditioning in the gym has been broken for two weeks? It's way too hot for students to exercise safely!"
The Original Topic
The Red Herring (Distraction)
Refutation (Steer it back!)
How would you respond to Debater B to get back to uniforms?
2
Transcript: The Phone Policy
Debater A: "Students should be allowed to use phones during lunch. It's our free time and we should be able to relax how we want."
Debater B: "Lunch is important, but have you seen the mess students leave in the hallway after 3rd period? It's disgusting. We should really be talking about more frequent hallway cleaning schedules."
The Original Topic
The Red Herring (Distraction)
Refutation (Steer it back!)
How would you respond to Debater B to get back to phones?
"Wait, I see what you're doing..."
Don't let the fish distract the dog!
Case Closed
Red Herring Answer Key Answer Key & Guide
Lesson 2: Red Herring Distractions
Teacher Resource
Distraction Detective: Answer Key
Scenario 1: Uniforms
Original Topic:
Implementing school uniforms.
Red Herring:
Broken air conditioning in the gym.
Sample Refutation:
"The gym temperature is definitely an issue, but right now we're debating uniforms. Let's finish that discussion before we address the A/C."
Scenario 2: Phone Policy
Original Topic:
Using phones during lunch time.
Red Herring:
Messy hallways after 3rd period.
Sample Refutation:
"Hallway cleanliness is important, but it's a separate issue. Can we stay focused on the lunch phone policy for now?"
Refutation Role-Play Tips
The Set-Up
Pair students. Student A makes a simple claim (e.g., "Dogs are better than cats"). Student B must respond with a Red Herring.
The Practice
Student A must "Name and Steer." If they get distracted by the Herring, the "fish" wins! They must avoid talking about the new topic.
Success Metric
Can Student A identify exactly when the topic shifted? Awareness is the first step to refutation.
Teaching Note:
Remind students that Red Herrings aren't always lies. They can be 100% true (the gym A/C *is* broken), but they are still fallacies if they aren't relevant to the current debate.
Rebuttal Roadmap Slides Lesson 3
The Art of the
Rebuttal
How to point out a flaw without starting a fight.
Logic Lab: Verbal Skills
Argument vs. Rebuttal
The Argument
Building your own case from the ground up.
"I believe..."
The Rebuttal
Responding specifically to what your opponent just said.
"You said... but..."
The 3-Step Rebuttal
1
Restate
"You argued that..."
2
Expose
"However, the problem with that logic is..."
3
Explain
"Therefore, the argument doesn't support the claim."
Rebuttal Sentence Stems
"I see your point about X, but I would argue that..."
"While it may be true that X, it doesn't necessarily mean Y because..."
"That seems like a Red Herring because it distracts from our main goal of..."
"I respect your opinion, however, the link between X and Y is missing because..."
Improv Logic Battle
Absurd Statement Challenge
"We should ban all shoes because they are just foot-prisons."
Your Task: Use a polite stem to refute this statement using Logic , not just opinion.
Rebuttal Stems Reference The Rebuttal Roadmap
Essential Sentence Stems for Logical Refutation
Logic Tool #1
1. Restate
Summary of their point
2. Expose
Identify the flaw
3. Explain
Why the link is broken
Polite Disagreement
"I understand your perspective on X, however I would disagree because..."
"While I see why you might say X, it doesn't necessarily mean Y because..."
"I respect that point, but I think we also need to consider..."
Identifying Fallacies
"That seems like a Red Herring because it distracts from the original topic of..."
"I think that argument is a distraction from the main claim, which is..."
"The support you provided doesn't actually link to the claim because..."
My Custom Stems
Write phrases that feel natural to you
Pro Tip: Rebuttals are most effective when you use a calm, professional tone. If you sound angry, people stop listening to your logic and start listening to your volume!
Improv Debate Cards Improv Logic Battle
Lesson 3: Verbal Rebuttal Activity
Card Set 1.0
Instructions: Cut out these cards. Pair students. Student A reads the "Absurd Claim." Student B must immediately use a Rebuttal Stem to refute the logic of the claim politely.
CARD 1
Absurd Claim:
"We should ban all homework because the paper used to make it is hurting the trees' feelings."
Refute the link between paper & feelings.
CARD 2
Absurd Claim:
"School should start at midnight so that students can watch the stars while they learn math."
Refute the link between stars & math.
CARD 3
Absurd Claim:
"We should replace all chairs with bouncy balls so students can get to their classes faster."
Refute the link between bouncing & speed.
CARD 4
Absurd Claim:
"All students should wear capes to school because capes make you run 10% faster."
Refute the 10% speed claim.
CARD 5
Absurd Claim:
"The cafeteria should only serve ice cream because ice cream is cold and it will prevent global warming."
Refute the link between lunch & global climate.
CARD 6
Absurd Claim:
"We should ban umbrellas because they are just portable shields for sky-water, and sky-water wants to be free."
Refute the idea of "sky-water" wanting freedom.
Logic Lab Series • Lesson 3 Activity • Improv Debate Cards
False Dilemma Slides Lesson 4
The Trap of
Either / Or
Escaping the False Dilemma by finding the hidden middle ground.
Logic Lab: Nuance & Choices
Pick one... and only one!
Option A
"Eat only broccoli for every meal for the rest of your life."
OR
Option B
"Never eat anything ever again."
Is this a fair choice?
In the real world, do we really only have these two options?
What about Option C?
The False Dilemma
Also known as the "Either/Or Fallacy"
"Presenting only two extreme options as if they are the only choices, ignoring any middle ground."
Why speakers use it:
To force an audience to pick the speaker's preferred side.
To make the other side look extreme or dangerous.
False Dilemma in Debate
"Either we ban all video games, or we will raise a generation of children who are completely addicted to screens and never go outside."
Extreme 1
Total Ban
Extreme 2
Total Addiction
Is there a middle ground?
The "Third Way" Refutation
"Don't let them trap you in their box."
1 Reject the Limit
State clearly that there are more than two choices.
"You've presented only two choices, but I believe there are other options to consider..."
2 Propose Option C
Describe a reasonable middle-ground solution.
"Instead of banning games or doing nothing, we could implement screen-time limits or educational game choices..."
Middle Ground Organizer The Middle Ground
Lesson 4: Escaping the False Dilemma
Name:
Don't Get Boxed In!
When someone says there are only two choices, they are often hiding the Middle Ground . Your mission is to find "Option C" for each scenario below.
1
The Screen Time Trap
"Either we allow students to use social media whenever they want, or we must ban the internet entirely to keep them safe."
Extreme A
Total Freedom
Option C: The Middle Ground
Extreme B
Total Ban
2
The Grading Dilemma
"Either we give everyone an 'A' so they don't feel bad, or we fail every student who misses a single homework assignment to teach them responsibility."
Extreme A
Give Everyone As
Option C: The Middle Ground
Extreme B
Fail on One Miss
3
The Sports Funding Split
"Either we spend all our money on the football team because they are the most popular, or we stop funding sports entirely and give the money to the science lab."
Extreme A
All Money to Football
Option C: The Middle Ground
Extreme B
No Sports Funding
Verbal Refutation Practice
Pick one scenario above and write a 1-sentence rebuttal using a polite stem.
Dilemma Dilemma Teacher Notes Teacher Notes
Lesson 4: Analyzing the Either/Or Fallacy
Teacher Resource
Activity 1: The Broccoli Hook
The Set-Up: Start the lesson with a "Forced Choice." Tell students they MUST pick between eating only broccoli for life or never eating again. Make it sound like these are the truly only options.
The Reaction
Wait for the groans. Students will immediately try to argue for pizza, tacos, or "balanced diets."
The Transition
"You just spotted a False Dilemma! You rejected my limited options and found the nuance. That's what we're doing today."
Organizer Key: Sample Option Cs
1. The Screen Time Trap
"Implement time limits or app-specific blocks while allowing educational use."
2. The Grading Dilemma
"Allow a one-day grace period for missed work or partial credit for late submissions."
3. The Sports Funding Split
"Divide the funding based on student participation numbers across all clubs and teams."
Deeper Dive Questions
Q
"Why do you think people use False Dilemmas during elections or in advertising?"
Q
"Can you think of a time a parent or teacher used a False Dilemma? (e.g., 'Clean your room or no dessert'). Is it always a fallacy?"
Q
"How does naming the 'middle ground' help de-escalate an argument?"
Debate Day Slides Lesson 5: Finale
THE LOGIC
SHOWDOWN
Persuasion is powerful. Logic is bulletproof.
Logic Lab: Mastery Simulation
The Showdown Rules
1. Opening Statements (2 min)
Present your main claim and logical support.
2. Rebuttal Round (3 min)
The most important round! Spot fallacies and refute them.
3. Closing (1 min)
Summarize why your logic is the strongest.
Pro-Tips
• Stay calm even if your opponent uses a Red Herring.
• Use your Rebuttal Stems for bonus points.
• Listen for "Either/Or" traps!
How to Win
Clear Claim
+10 pts
Detect Fallacy
+20 pts
Must Name & Explain it!
Civil Tone
+5 pts
Today's Big Topics
Topic 1
"Should school lunch be 100% student-designed?"
Topic 2
"Should physical education be graded on effort or skill?"
Debate On!
"Listen for the logic. Ignore the noise."
Active Listening
Identify Fallacies
Refute Cleanly
Logic Scorecard Rubric The Logic Scorecard
Official Judging Form: Logic Showdown
Judge Name:
Topic
Team / Speaker
Criteria Weight Score Notes Clear Claim & Support Argument is easy to follow and structured properly. 10 pts Clear logic? Fallacy Detection Correctly named a Red Herring or False Dilemma used by opponent. 20 pts Named correctly? Logical Refutation Explained WHY the opponent's link was broken or nuanced. 20 pts Effective steering? Polite Rebuttal Stems Used "I see your point, however..." or similar civil phrasing. 5 pts Professional? Total Logic Score / 55
Fallacy Evidence Log
During the rebuttal round, write down exactly what the speaker said that you identified as a fallacy.
Red Herring Detected?
Speaker said...
False Dilemma Detected?
Speaker said...
Logic Lab Finals • Official Scoring Sheet • 6th Grade ELA
Debate Prep Organizer Debate Prep Kit
Lesson 5: The Logic Showdown
Name:
1
Your Foundational Logic
My Topic / Question
My Side (Pro or Con)
My Core Claim (The main point I want to prove)
2
Opening Statement Outline
Evidence/Support Piece 1
Evidence/Support Piece 2
How does this prove your claim? (The Link)
3
Rebuttal Radar (Anticipate the opponent)
Predict how your opponent might try to use a fallacy. What "Smelly Fish" (Red Herring) or "Either/Or Trap" might they use?
Red Herring Prediction
They might try to talk about...
False Dilemma Prediction
They might try to say we only have these two choices...
Prepare for battle. Trust your logic.
