Argument Writing

Throughout freshmen year, students will work on argument writing in Writing Workshop. We will focus on writing body paragraphs that contain a well written claim, strong supporting evidence from a text, and a well developed warrant explaining their thinking. This skill will be used in history and English classes freshmen through senior year. Students will do several formal, independent writing assessments throughout the year where they will time how long it takes them to read an article before writing the body paragraph. Students will be given a writing guide at the beginning of the year until they are confident enough to write their paragraphs without sentence starters and prompts. They will also grade themselves on a rubric each time and complete reflections when they receive graded assessments back. In between assessments, students will review claim, evidence, and warrant as a class, in small groups, and by writing informal journal entries to practice.

Sample Argument Writing Task:

Should Kids Be On Reality TV - Article

Argument Writing Format & Directions

Argument Writing Rubric

Baseline Assessment Reflection

Sample Argument Writing Journals:

School Uniform Journal

Should Schools Spy on Cyber Bullies - Argument Journal Article

Should Schools Spy on Cyber Bullies - Argument Writing Prompt