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    How to Make Good Arguments and Avoid Bad Ones
    In-person Program

    How to Make Good Arguments and Avoid Bad Ones

    by UBC Future Global Leaders

    Study how arguments work through philosophy, concrete examples and practical reasoning exercises, alongside workshops that build confidence for university study.

    Last verified: 9 Oct 2026Reviewed by:BSBen Stacy

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    How to Make Good Arguments and Avoid Bad Ones at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility

    Current status

    Upcoming

    Eligibility

    High school; completed grade 10

    Age range / Year group

    Ages 15-18

    Location / Region

    UBC Vancouver campus, Vancouver, Canada

    Cost

    $1,940 CAD; $2,620 CAD

    Duration

    2 weeks

    Format

    In-person

    Next deadline

    Not announced · Next cycle not announced

    Get next-cycle reminder
    PhilosophyDebating
    Accommodation: Optional single-room campus residence
    Meals: Commuter lunch; residential full board
    Sessions / cadence: Mon-Fri: 3-hour classes; 1.5-hour workshops
    Tutor: Dr. Anders Kraal, UBC philosophy lecturer
    Completion credential: Letter of Completion
    Assessment style: No exams
    Residence support: 24/7 staff; 10-to-1 student-to-staff ratio

    How to Make Good Arguments and Avoid Bad Ones summary

    UBC's course introduces the history and theory of arguments through philosophy and concrete examples of strong and weak reasoning.

    You practice making and evaluating arguments, then attend university preparation workshops and take part in campus activities.

    It suits students who want transferable reasoning skills and a taste of university study, whether their interests lie in humanities, sciences or public affairs.

    What is How to Make Good Arguments and Avoid Bad Ones?

    How to Make Good Arguments and Avoid Bad Ones is a philosophy course offered by UBC Extended Learning within Future Global Leaders. It examines the history and theory of arguments, including ideas such as validity and soundness. Concrete examples help students distinguish convincing reasoning from faulty arguments.

    Students learn on UBC's Vancouver campus with philosophy lecturer Dr. Anders Kraal. Morning academic classes are paired with afternoon university preparation workshops. The wider experience includes campus recreation and social activities, with a choice between commuting and living in residence.

    Why Succeed highlights How to Make Good Arguments and Avoid Bad Ones

    • The course turns abstract philosophical ideas into practical exercises in constructing and evaluating arguments.

    • Dr. Anders Kraal brings teaching and published research experience in logic and the history of philosophy.

    • University preparation workshops connect subject exploration with study habits, applications and well-being.

    • Commuter and residence options let families choose different levels of campus immersion.

    • A Letter of Completion recognizes participation when attendance and conduct requirements are met.

    Who is How to Make Good Arguments and Avoid Bad Ones for?

    Best for

    Students who enjoy questioning claims and want stronger reasoning for academic study, discussion and everyday disagreements.

    Not ideal if

    You want a direct university admission pathway or a course focused mainly on a specialized career subject.

    Is How to Make Good Arguments and Avoid Bad Ones worth it?

    This course is worth considering if you want structured practice in reasoning alongside a university campus experience. Its value comes from learning to test arguments and engaging with academic ideas under an experienced philosophy lecturer.

    Families should weigh that experience against the course fee, optional residence supplement and travel arrangements. The completion letter records participation, while UBC explicitly states that the program is not a direct admission pathway. Choose it for the learning and campus experience rather than an expected admissions advantage.

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    20 minutes · No obligation to enrol

    A practical overview of cost, accommodation, meals, dates and provider details to review before deciding.

    Cost and what is included

    $1,940 CAD; $2,620 CAD; includes Morning academic classes and afternoon university preparation workshops., Commuter option: weekday lunch and UBC Recreation Card., Residence add-on: single room and breakfast, lunch and dinner daily., Residence add-on: airport pickup and drop-off within scheduled windows., Residence add-on: evening activities and weekend excursions., Residence add-on: local medical insurance for international students., Residence add-on: two laundry loads with detergent per session..

    Accommodation

    Optional single-room campus residence

    Meals

    Commuter lunch; residential full board

    Provider details

    Review the UBC Future Global Leaders provider page and official sources before making a final decision.

    Dates and logistics

    2 weeks; UBC Vancouver campus, Vancouver, Canada.

    What to check before committing

    Confirm current dates, payment terms, travel arrangements, cancellation rules and what is included with the provider.

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    How much preparation does How to Make Good Arguments and Avoid Bad Ones need?

    Effort level

    Moderate to high, with 4.5 scheduled academic hours each weekday.

    Best started

    Allow several weeks before a future session, and longer for international travel or accessibility arrangements.

    Main challenge

    Evaluating the reasoning behind a claim rather than relying on agreement.

    Typical preparation

    • Practice identifying the claim and supporting reasons in a short article.

    • Plan the commuter or residence option with your parent or guardian.

    • Prepare separate parent and student email addresses for the Family Account.

    • Allow time to complete the information package within 48 hours of registration.

    Useful if

    You want more confidence with academic discussion and university study.

    What do students do on How to Make Good Arguments and Avoid Bad Ones?

    You study philosophical approaches to argumentation and practice distinguishing good reasoning from bad reasoning. Each weekday combines subject classes with university preparation workshops and opportunities to join campus activities.

    Step-by-step process

    1. 1

      Attend morning classes on the history and theory of arguments.

    2. 2

      Work through concrete examples of good and bad arguments.

    3. 3

      Practice constructing good arguments and exposing weaknesses in bad ones.

    4. 4

      Attend afternoon workshops on preparation for university.

    5. 5

      Join campus social and recreational activities, with evening and weekend activities for residence students.

    How to Make Good Arguments and Avoid Bad Ones dates and deadlines

    Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.

    Programme dates

    6-17 July 2026

    Reference date

    Eligibility and requirements

    • High school students ages 15-18.

    • Completed grade 10 or equivalent.

    • Canadian and international students may participate.

    • Recommended academics: 78%, 3.5 GPA, B average or IB 5.

    • English learners: recommended IELTS 6.0, TOEFL 80 or equivalent.

    • No admissions application, transcripts or proof of English required.

    • Parent or guardian creates the Family Account.

    • Complete the information package within 48 hours of registration.

    How much does How to Make Good Arguments and Avoid Bad Ones cost?

    Course fee

    $1,940 CAD; $2,620 CAD — Canadian/permanent resident; international respectively.

    Funding or discounts

    • Residence add-on: $2,650 CAD — Optional campus residence package.
    • Registration deposit: $500 CAD — Payment toward fees under 2026 terms.
    • UBC President Bursary: Needs-based support — For eligible grade 11 students in British Columbia.

    What's included

    Morning academic classes and afternoon university preparation workshops., Commuter option: weekday lunch and UBC Recreation Card., Residence add-on: single room and breakfast, lunch and dinner daily., Residence add-on: airport pickup and drop-off within scheduled windows., Residence add-on: evening activities and weekend excursions., Residence add-on: local medical insurance for international students., Residence add-on: two laundry loads with detergent per session.

    How to apply to How to Make Good Arguments and Avoid Bad Ones

    1. 1

      Review eligibility and the Future Global Leaders refund and conduct policies.

    2. 2

      Have a parent or guardian create a Family Account using their primary email.

    3. 3

      Add the student as a family member using a different email address.

    4. 4

      Select the course session and commuter or residence options in the cart.

    5. 5

      Assign the student to the course and complete checkout.

    6. 6

      Select New Application and submit the information package within 48 hours.

    7. 7

      Follow the student's emails to set up their account and Campus-wide Login.

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    What does How to Make Good Arguments and Avoid Bad Ones cover?

    The program covers the following focus areas.

    History of argumentation

    Explore the philosophical tradition of argumentation, including its roots in Ancient Greece.

    Evaluating arguments

    Study argument theory and concepts such as validity and soundness through concrete examples.

    Constructing good arguments

    Practice making strong arguments and recognizing weaknesses in bad ones.

    University preparation

    Attend workshops on applications, academic expectations, study habits, career planning and well-being.

    Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.

    What is a typical day on How to Make Good Arguments and Avoid Bad Ones?

    A typical day during the program.

    Academic classes

    Monday-Friday, 9 am-12 pm: three hours of subject study.

    University preparation

    Monday-Friday, 1:30-3 pm: university preparation workshops.

    Campus activities

    Sample timing is 3:30-5 pm for activities, study or free time.

    Residence activities

    Residence students have social activities, study or free time from 7:30-9 pm.

    Who teaches on How to Make Good Arguments and Avoid Bad Ones?

    Dr. Anders Kraal, PhD, is a lecturer in UBC's Department of Philosophy with publications in logic, philosophy of religion and the history of philosophy. University preparation lectures are led by UBC instructors and professionals experienced in advising high school students.

    Where do students stay on How to Make Good Arguments and Avoid Bad Ones?

    Residential plan

    • Single-room residence: Stay in a furnished single room on a mixed-gender floor with student life assistants.
    • Full board: Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included daily, with vegan, vegetarian and Kosher options.
    • Residence support: Student life assistants provide 24/7 support with a 10-to-1 residence student-to-staff ratio.
    • Activities and transfers: The package includes evening activities, weekend excursions and airport transfers within scheduled windows.

    Non-residential plan

    • Daily commuting: Families arrange accommodation and transportation to and from campus each weekday.
    • Lunch and recreation: Weekday lunch and a UBC Recreation Card are included, with afternoon activities available until 5 pm.
    • Commuter supervision: UBC's rules limit commuter monitoring and supervision to the daily in-class attendance check.

    Residence rooms have shared floor bathrooms, and no air conditioning or fan is provided.

    What happens after How to Make Good Arguments and Avoid Bad Ones?

    After completing this program, participants often pursue:

    Develop stronger skills in constructing and evaluating arguments.

    Explore philosophy through first-year university-level study.

    Build familiarity with university expectations and study habits.

    Receive a Letter of Completion when participation requirements are met.

    Experience campus life and, with residence, practice greater independence.

    Future Global Leaders is not a direct pathway to UBC or another university.

    Where does How to Make Good Arguments and Avoid Bad Ones take place?

    The course takes place at UBC's Vancouver campus in British Columbia, Canada, with university recreation, museums and medical services on campus. Commuters can use buses serving the central UBC Bus Loop; Vancouver International Airport is about a 30-minute drive away.

    How to Make Good Arguments and Avoid Bad Ones FAQs

    You study the history and theory of arguments through philosophy and concrete examples. You practice constructing and recognizing good arguments and exposing bad ones.

    No admissions application, transcripts or proof of English are required. Students should meet the age and education requirements and consider the recommended academic and English levels.

    Yes. Commuters attend classes and university preparation workshops, receive weekday lunch and a UBC Recreation Card, and can join afternoon activities. Families arrange their own accommodation and daily transportation.

    Residence students have a single room with shared floor bathrooms. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included daily, and menus include vegan, vegetarian and Kosher options.

    Students receive a Letter of Completion if they remain in good standing with program and conduct expectations and miss no more than one class without approval.

    Student life assistants live in residence and provide support 24/7, with a 10-to-1 residence student-to-staff ratio. Assistants have first-aid, CPR-C and AED certification and enhanced criminal record checks.

    No. Future Global Leaders is not a direct pathway to UBC or another university; it offers academic exploration, university preparation and experience of campus life.

    Create a Family Account using the parent's email and add the student with a different email address. After checkout, submit the information package within 48 hours and follow the student's account setup instructions.

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    Ben Stacy

    Content reviewed by

    Ben Stacy

    Co-founder, Succeed | Former secondary teacher and educational leader

    Ben works at the intersection of education, technology and school adoption, with expertise in how secondary schools evaluate data-driven tools and how education technology is used in practice.

    View author page

    Sources and verification

    Source types reviewed

    • Student life | Extended Learning
    • Information for parents and students | Extended Learning
    • UBC Future Global Leaders | Extended Learning
    • Future Global Leaders on-campus | Extended Learning
    • Refunds, cancellations and transfers | Extended Learning
    • StrongerBC future skills grant | Extended Learning
    • Financial assistance | Extended Learning
    • Registration technical support | Extended Learning
    • Eligibility, admissions and accommodations | Extended Learning
    • How to pay | Extended Learning
    • How to log in or create a Lifelong Learning Student Account | Extended Learning
    • How to register or apply | Extended Learning
    • How online courses work | Extended Learning
    • Registration info | Extended Learning
    • Suggested Packing List for Students Staying in a UBC Residence
    • UBC Pre-University Programs Sample Menu
    • Pre-University Summer Program Code of Conduct and Rules
    • How to Make Good Arguments and Avoid Bad Ones | Extended Learning

    Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.

    What we verified (on 9 Oct 2026)

    • Course identity checked

    • Historical session verified

    • Eligibility requirements reviewed

    • Course fee options checked

    • Residence inclusions reviewed

    • Refund and conduct policies checked

    How Succeed uses this information

    We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current application instructions before applying.