What method should a teacher first use to promote students' ability to evaluate arguments in a text?

Using a think-aloud exercise during analysis is particularly effective for promoting students’ ability to evaluate arguments in a text. This method involves the teacher verbalizing their thought process while engaging with the text, demonstrating how to critically assess arguments, identify evidence, and discern biases or logical reasoning. It models for the students the cognitive strategies involved in analysis, allowing them to hear how questions are formed and how conclusions are drawn based on textual evidence.

This approach not only encourages students to think critically but also invites them to mirror the teacher’s analytical processes in their own reading and evaluation of texts. By hearing the teacher articulate their thinking, students can gain insights into how to engage more deeply with materials, which builds their confidence and skills in evaluating arguments effectively. The think-aloud strategy establishes a foundational understanding of evaluating texts, paving the way for more independent analysis in the future.