Ad Hominem Readers Theater Script | Free Logical Fallacy Activity for Grades 8-12

Use this free ad hominem Readers Theater script for Grades 8-12 to help students recognize when attacks on a person replace real argument.

Perfect for

• English Class focused Argumentative Writing
• Reading fluency and comprehension
• Literary analysis (fallacies, themes, dialogue)
• Collaborative performance and critical discussion

(a single PDF with links to Google Docs/Slides, if print format is preferred you can download from your Google Drive to word/pdf/ppt/etc)

What’s Included

The Script (Google Doc, editable, ~8 pages)

• ~1900 Words, 10 Scenes
• Casting breakdown with short description of character and number of lines read
• Student intro to fallacy

Teacher Guide (Google Doc, editable, ~12 pages)

• Lesson Planning Tips
• Main Ideas & Themes Discussion Prompts
• Answer Keys for Vocabulary, Short‑Answer, Analysis & Application Questions
• Standards Alignment (CCRA)
• Casting Breakdown with Lexical Levels

Student Worksheet (Google Slides, editable, ~25 slides)

• Vocabulary: 10 terms (e.g., “jab,” “smear”) with script quotes.
• Short-Answer Questions (10): like “What does Mia say about dress codes?”
• Analysis Questions (5): Analysis like “How does ad hominem escalate conflict?”
• Application Questions (5): Scenarios like “How can you counter a personal attack?”
• Exit Quiz (Google Forms Self-Graded)

Script Summary

• Scene 1: Hosts prep a dress code debate, but jabs hint at ad hominem.
• Scene 2: Insults like “wannabe influencer” derail the podcast.
• Scene 3: Sam’s club idea is mocked with personal attacks.
• Scene 4: A 2010s TV debate shows candidates dodging policy with smears.
• Scene 5: Socrates’ trial shows ad hominem silencing philosophy.
• Scene 6: Ms. Carter refocuses the team on fair arguments.
• Scene 7: X posts fuel ad hominem until redirected to facts.
• Scene 8: The team discusses ad hominem in their lives.
• Scene 9: The team re-records, debating without attacks.
• Scene 10: The episode earns praise for its focus on logic.

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