Mini Thesis — Build It, Attack It, Defend It
The young adult states a bold claim about something they care about, then builds the strongest possible argument in its favor AND the strongest possible counterargument. This is the intellectual triathlon: thesis construction, evidence marshalling, and steel-manning the opposition. Through the process, the young adult reveals the capacity to build a rigorous argument, to honestly represent opposing views, and to maintain intellectual honesty when their position is challenged — the core skills of academic thinking and public discourse.
Free to do together whenever you like.
What you'll need
Paper for outlining the argument structure. No other materials needed, though a phone for quick evidence lookups can strengthen the exercise. The young adult should pick a claim they genuinely believe — the exercise is less effective with a position they're assigned rather than one they hold. If they struggle to choose, prompt with: 'What's something you believe that most adults would push back on?' or 'What do you think your school gets wrong?'
How it works
The 3-step guide, with what to look for at each step, is for signed-in parents.