Argument in the Real World: Teaching Adolescents to Read and Write Digital Texts

by Troy Hicks, Troy Hicks

Every day, our students are inundated by information-as well as opinions and misinformation-on their devices. These digital texts influence what they buy, who they vote for, and what they believe about themselves and their world. Crafting and analyzing arguments in a digital world could be our greatest possibility to improve dialogue across cultures and continents... or it could contribute to bitter divides. In this book, Kristen Hawley Turner and Troy Hicks draw from real world texts and samples of student work to share a wealth of insights and practical strategies in teaching students the logic of argument. Whether arguments are streaming in through a Twitter feed, a Facebook wall, viral videos, internet memes, or links to other blogs or websites, Turner and Hicks will guide you-and your students- in how to engage with and create digital arguments. The authors' companion wiki provides all of the links to the web-based examples referenced in the book, as well as additional resources to support you as you implement instruction in digital arguments.

Genres: Education, Nonfiction, Teaching

160 pages, Paperback

Published November 1, 2016

Reviews

[Sarah Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love professional education texts that offer strategies and lessons I can immediately employ in my classroom. This book does just that. It’s been helpful in adding digital literacy lessons to my existing units, as well as building a focus on students as digital consumers and producers of digital arguments.

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent discussion of the importance of digital literacy with an abundance of examples, tools, and strategies. The accompanying wiki gives the sample products teachers need to start implementing these new ideas in their classrooms. The authors stress the importance of students being able to produce and consume digital arguments, and they deliver meaningful and pragmatic ways to make that happen.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clearly written, quietly provoking, thoughtfully presented, well grounded in both research and practice: exactly what a practitioner text should be.

[Katie Hovanec]

Important discussion about what we ask students to write paired with vocabulary and strategy for moving/transforming writing tasks into/for the digital realm. This book deals with both the consumption and creation of media.