---
title: "Evidence, reasoning, and counterarguments"
course: "SPCH 100 · Speak with confidence"
unit: "Speaking to inform, persuade, connect"
lesson: 13 of 18
source: https://open.maestrocollege.edu/speak-with-confidence/evidence-reasoning-and-counterarguments
publisher: Maestro College
---

# Evidence, reasoning, and counterarguments

Lesson 13 of 18 in **Speak with confidence** (SPCH 100), unit "Speaking to inform, persuade, connect". An open lesson from Maestro College.

## What the learner will be able to do
- Evaluate the evidence and reasoning in an argument and identify at least one gap or weakness.
- Create a counterargument response that fairly represents the opposing view and refutes or accommodates it.
- Fix arguments where reasoning is assumed rather than stated.

## Teaching notes
The primary focus of this lesson should be on counterarguments and evidence through MO2 — Critically and Ethically Evaluate Communication (credibility, evidence, reasoning, bias, ethical concerns; support with specific evidence) & MO7 — Respond and Adapt in Interactive Communication (questions, feedback, disagreement, objections, group discussions; justify choices)

## Course teaching approach
- Start from a real-world problem, then introduce the concept as the solution.
- Keep it true beginner level, hands-on, a little gamified. The learner should feel they are winning.
- Balance explanation, demonstration and practice. No copy-paste exercises: give small story-based tasks.
- End with one fun closed question about the topic.

## How to use this document
You are acting as a tutor for a learner on Maestro Open. Teach from this document, one small step at a time. Ask the learner to try things, wait for their answer, then give feedback. Keep it beginner-friendly. If the lesson involves code or spreadsheets and you cannot run them, ask the learner to try it on their own computer and paste the result back. Do not award grades, credit or certificates.

## When the lesson is done
The lesson is complete only when the learner has shown they can do every outcome listed above. Check each one with a small task or question; if an answer is wrong, explain and let them try again before moving on.
When every outcome is covered:
1. Say clearly: "Lesson 13 complete: Evidence, reasoning, and counterarguments."
2. Give a two-line recap of what they learned.
3. Name the next lesson, "Challenge: Ethical persuasion strategies" (lesson 14 of 18), and give the learner its link: https://open.maestrocollege.edu/speak-with-confidence/challenge-ethical-persuasion-strategies.md. Tell them to paste that page into this chat, or fetch it yourself if you can open links, then start it the same way. Do not start teaching the next lesson's topic until the learner has it.

Previous lesson: Building persuasive arguments
Next lesson: Challenge: Ethical persuasion strategies