For this Mastery Check, rather than answering questions to demonstrate your skills, you will get to demonstrate that you have learned how to use MindMup by creating an argument map in MindMup and sharing it with us. Your map will need to include various different features of MindMup, but we will not be grading you based on the subject matter of the argument. The purpose of this mastery check is simply to show us that you know how to use the different features of the MindMup software. 

In terms of the subject matter for your argument map, you can create an argument about whatever topic you want. It can be totally silly or totally serious. (Again, we will not grade you on the subject matter!) For example, you could try answering one of the following questions with an argument that makes the case for your side of the debate. Or you can come up with your own totally new topic!

Possible sample topics: 

• Is a hot dog a sandwich?
• Are cats better than dogs?
• Should people be vegetarians?
• Should hate speech be protected under the First Amendment?
• Is it ever acceptable to lie? 
• Should the US government break up or regulate Amazon, Google and/or Facebook?
• Who is the greatest musician of all time?

Your map will need to include all three of the argument structure types we have seen so far (independent, sub, and co-premises), as well as various features of MindMup, including a sticky note and a hyperlink.

After you create your argument, use MindMup to evaluate at least one of the premises as true or false by changing the color of the box and attaching a note that explains why you think the premise is true or false. You should also evaluate at least one inference as strong or weak and label the green line of the inference. Finally, add an objection to the argument. 

To get started, open a new MindMup file by going to argument.mindmup.com and click “Create on Google Drive.” Then change the name of your map file to “[Your name] Lesson 7” and save it somewhere in your Google Drive where you will be able to find it later. You should also turn on Autosave. (You may have to expand the size of your browser window for the Autosave button to show up.) If you’re having trouble with any of these steps, you might want to review the MindMup Tutorial document or the explainer videos for this lesson.

Now you’re ready to get started with creating your map. Write your main claim, then add some premises to support your claim. Remember that your argument needs to include at least one set of independent premises, at least one sub-premise, and at least one pair of co-premises.

Next, attach a sticky note to at least one of your claims, and write something in the sticky note. (For example, you might ask a discussion question about that claim.) Then add at least one hyperlink to a box, for example a link to a web source for a piece of evidence in your argument, or maybe just a link to a funny video. For one extra credit point, you can also upload an image into one of the boxes in your map.

Finally, show that you know how to use MindMup to evaluate an argument. Choose a premise and evaluate whether it is true or false, by changing the color (blue if you think it’s true, orange if you think it’s false) and attaching a note to that premise explaining why you think it is true or false. (To add a note, click the premise and hit the “N” key.) Then, choose an inference (i.e. a green line in MindMup) and click the inference to evaluate whether it is strong or weak by making it thicker/thinner, and label the inference to explain why you think it is strong or weak. Finally, add an objection to one of the claims in your map, which gives a reason not to believe that claim.

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Here is an example of a model response for this Mastery Check.

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Here is a checklist for you to double-check your work before you share your map with us. This is also the rubric we will use to evaluate your submission. 

MindMup File Setup (3 points total)

• File is in “Argument Visualization” mode (not regular “mind-mapping” mode) 
• File name is “[Your Name] Lesson 7”
• Autosave is turned on

Argument Creation (6 points total)

Map includes all of the following: 

• • Main claim
  • At least one set of independent premises
  • At least one sub-premise
  • At least one pair of co-premises
  • At least one sticky note attached to a claim
  • At least one claim has a hyperlink
  • (Extra credit, optional) At least one box has an image in it

Argument Evaluation (5 points total)

Evaluation of the argument includes all of the following: 

• • At least one premise has the color changed to indicate true or false (blue if you think the premise is true, orange if you think it is false)
    • That same premise also has a note attached to it (hit the “N” key) explaining why you think it is true or false
  • At least one inference is labeled as stronger/weaker (i.e. the green line is thicker/thinner)
    • That same inference is labeled with an explanation of why that inference is strong or weak
  • At least one objection to a claim that gives a reason not to believe that claim

Total Score: ____/ 14 Points

When you have done all of the above, check over your work to make sure you included everything. Then, click “Share” in the top-right corner of your MindMup file: 

Click “Get link” and make sure it is set so that “Anyone on the internet with this link can edit”:

Then, submit link here: