ARGUMENT

WRITING
A Step-by-step, CCSS Aligned Unit
Grades
6-12
LESSON 1: Introduction
Essential Questions

• What makes a strong argument?

• What is argumentative writing?
DISCUSS: What makes a strong argument?

Well reasoned and precise ideas that are relevant

Considers the issue from multiple perspectives

 On your Handout…
Make a list of examples of
argumentative writing in everyday
life. Come up with as many
examples as you can.

Be prepared to share!
DISCUSS: What did you come up with?
Some Examples…

• Editorial Article
• Book or movie review
• Speech or debate
 What is argumentative writing?

Argument writing is writing that establishes a viewpoint with

research and support.

You are taking a position for or against something, while also

acknowledging and disputing the other side.
Forming Arguments Practice
Read each statement and
choose whether you agree or
disagree.

Fill in the handout, defending

your position.
 Breakfast is the
most important
meal of the day.

Designed by Freepik
College should be
paid for by the
government.

Designed by Freepik
 Dogs are better
than cats.

Designed by Freepik
 Winter is the best
season.

Designed by Freepik
LESSON 2: Essay Structure
Essential Questions

• What are the parts of an argumentative essay?

• How is an argument writing piece organized?
Parts of an Argument Essay
Introduction

Body Paragraphs

Refutation

Conclusion
 First Paragraph: Introduction
• “Hooks” the reader in

• States a thesis or claim statement that

acts as a roadmap for the essay

• Serves as an overview for what the

essay will be about
 Middle Paragraphs: Body
• Multiple body paragraphs

• Start with one major reason to support the thesis.

• Include several supporting details or examples that

support the main idea.
Middle Paragraphs: Refutation
• Present opposing argument

• Acknowledge valid points of the opposing argument.

• Refute these points.

 Final Paragraph: Conclusion
• Sums up the essay

• Restates the thesis or claim statement that acts as a

roadmap for the essay
 On your Handout…
We use search engines everyday to find quick
information. Are they making us less smart? Read
these two works of opinion writing on both sides of
the argument.

As you read:
1.Draw a box around the introduction and
conclusion.
2.Highlight the main reason given for each body
paragraph.
3.Underline the one supporting example or detail that
supports each reason.
 On your Handout…
Explain your opinion on whether Google is
making us less intelligent. Write one
paragraph.

Be prepared to share!
LESSON 3: Choosing Topics
Essential Questions

• What makes an essay topic successful?

• How can we select effective topics for our argument
essays?
Discuss: What makes a topic successful?

You have strong feelings about your topic.

You have prior knowledge on your topic.

You can easily find support for your arguments.

 On your Handout…
Brainstorm at least six different
topics that you would be interested in
writing an argument essay about.

Be prepared to share!
DISCUSS: What did you come up with?
Some Examples…

• Should students wear uniforms to school?

• Should students be paid for their grades?
• Should students be allowed to use smartphones in
school?
• How much homework should be given daily?
• Should smoking be banned in public?
LESSON 4: Thesis Statements
Essential Questions

• What is a thesis statement?

• How is a thesis statement constructed?
 Discuss: What is a thesis statement?

A roadmap for an essay

States the main idea of the paper

Shows the reader how the essay will be organized

Located in introduction paragraph

What should be included in a thesis statement?

Your viewpoint on the topic

An overview of your three reasons

 Locate the thesis.
Since the invention of the computer, cellphone and other
electronics, people have been using them more and more and
more. These electronics have big upsides. You’re never alone if
you have cell service, and Facebook allows people to talk to
multiple friends at once when they’re not in the same room, town,
state, or country. But they also have their downsides. What
makes us truly great is our ability to think deeply and focus, but
when we use electronics or the internet, we aren’t doing these
things. In fact, using these devices make us think more shallow
and focus less.
The school should participate in “Shut Down your Screen Week”
because electronics cause focus problems, they don’t allow us to
think deeply, and they are bad for our health.
 Thesis?
Can you find the thesis statement
Since the invention of the computer, cellphone and other
Statement
electronics, people have been using them more and more and
more. These electronics have big upsides. You’re never alone if
you have cell service, and Facebook allows people to talk to
multiple friendsStates thewhen
at once authors viewpoint
they’re not in the same room, town,
state, or country. But they also have their downsides. What
makes us truly great is our ability to think deeply and focus, but
when we use electronics or the internet, we aren’t doing these
States
things. In fact, using these three
devicesreasons
make us think more shallow
and focus less.
The school should participate in shut down your screen week
because electronics cause focus problems, they don’t allow us to
think deeply, and they are bad for our health.
 Locate the thesis.
Technology can be beneficial, especially to students. A vast
majority of students finds it helpful to have access to
technology. Technology makes quicker, more efficient work.
Without the advancements of technology, we are no farther
along than school children in the 1960’s.
The School should not participate in the national “Shut Down
Your Screen Week” because the internet allows us better access
to information, it is a great learning tool, and helps to stay in
touch with friends through social media.

Thesis
Statement
 On your Handout…
Create a thesis statement on the topic
of whether your school should
participate in “Shut Down your
Screen Week.”

Be prepared to share!
LESSON 5: Writing a hook
Essential Questions

• What makes an effective hook?

• What types of hooks are most successful?
 DISCUSS: What is a hook?
Usually 1-3 sentences

Located at the beginning of the introduction paragraph

Engages the reader and makes them want to read more

A hook grabs the reader’s attention!
Some types of hooks…

• Fact or Statistic

• Quote

• Bold Statement

• Anecdote
 Fact or Statistic
• Use an interesting fact or statistic.

• Make sure the fact or statistic is According to the Center for

relevant or related to your topic. Disease and Control, cigarette
smoking kills more than
480,000 Americans each year,
with more than 41,000 of
• Be sure to use a reputable source. these deaths from exposure to
secondhand smoke. This is a
problem that is easily
preventable.
 Quote
• Use an important and interesting
quote.
“If my future were
determined just by my
• Make sure the quote is relevant or performance on a
standardized test, I wouldn’t

related to your topic, and supports be here. I guarantee you that.”

This was said by First Lady,

your viewpoint. Michelle Obama.

 Bold Statement
• Use a brief, thought-provoking
statement.

• Bold statements are usually

controversial and stir up emotion. Rewarding everyone who
participates with a trophy,
regardless of success or
• Avoid using phrases like, “I think” or failure, is not only ridiculous
but damaging to any child.
“In my opinion!”
 Anecdote
• Tell a brief story from your own
experiences or from someone else's.
Eleanor began smoking at age
• Use the anecdote to make a point 15. Completely unaware of
what she was doing to her
about your topic. body, she continued to smoke
over two packs of cigarettes
per day. She soon found out
she had oral cancer, and
doctors were forced to
remove half of her jaw.
 On your Handout…
Choose two types of hooks and draft one of each
for your topic.

Be prepared to share!
LESSON 6: Body Paragraphs
Essential Questions

• How is a body paragraph organized?

• How can we write effective body paragraphs?
 The Body Paragraph

This is the meat of your paper!

This is your chance to craft a sound and

well-reasoned argument!
Parts of a Body Paragraph
Topic Sentence

Details and Examples

Closing/transitional Sentence
Parts of a Body Paragraph
Topic Sentence

Think of it as a
Details and Examples
cheeseburger!

Closing Sentence
 Topic Sentence
• The main point of the
paragraph

• What the entire paragraph

will be about
 Details and examples
• Includes supporting details and
examples

• Provides two to four details that

support the topic sentence

• Supports the details with examples

and further explanation
 Details and examples
Supporting Detail
• Includes supporting details and
examples Example/Further Explanation

• Provides two to four details that Supporting Detail

support the topic sentence

Example/Further Explanation

• Supports the details with examples Supporting Detail

and further explanation
Example/Further Explanation
Concluding/Transitional Sentence
• Restates the main point of
the paragraph

OR

• Transitions into the next

paragraph
 Example
Using electronics and multi-tasking causes focus problems, on and off computers. In
Topic Sentence
Attached to Technology and Paying a Price by Matt Richtel, it says, “Scientists say
juggling email, phone calls, and other incoming information can change how people
think and behave. They say our ability to focus is being undermined by bursts of
information.” This ability to focus is enormously important. It’s one of the things that we
Details and Examples
depend on almost every day. If someone is distracted while driving or operating
important machinery, it can have dire consequences. Multi-tasking can also negatively
affect creativity or deep thought, causing problems for work and family life. By
participating in “Shut-down Your Screen Week” we could give people a chance to
Closing/Transitional
Sentence develop new habits of not using their phone or computer all the time.
Refutation Paragraph
Addresses valid points on the other side

Strengthens your argument and gives it nuance

Parts of Refutation Paragraph
Topic Sentence

Acknowledgment of opposing viewpoint(s)

Some may say… Many argue…

Rebuttal(s) to opposing viewpoint

However… But…

Occluding Sentence
 Examples
A number of studies, including my own and those of Matthew Brashears (a sociologist at
Cornell), have found that Americans have fewer intimate relationships today than 20 years
ago. However, a loss of close friends does not mean a loss of support. Because of cellphones
and social media, those we depend on are more accessible today than at any point since we
lived in small, village-like settlements.

There's no doubt the Internet can create distractions. But 81 percent of experts polled by the
Pew Internet Research Project say the opportunities outweigh the distractions.
 On your Handout…
We use many electronics in our everyday lives.
Read the body paragraph on why taking a break
from screens would be beneficial.

As you read:
1.Draw a box around the topic sentence and
concluding/transitional sentences.
2.Highlight each supporting detail.
3.Underline an example or further explanation
for each supporting detail.
 LESSON 7: Conclusions
Essential Questions

• How is a conclusion paragraph organized?

• What should be included in a conclusion paragraph?
 The Conclusion Paragraph
This is the final paragraph of your paper.

This is where you sum up your argument

and make the reader think!
In your conclusion paragraph…
Restate your thesis.

• •Write
Answer
yourthethesis
question,
statement
“So
Explain why it’s important.
inwhat?”
a different way from
your introduction
paragraph.
 Do Not…
…start with “In Conclusion” or any
similar phrase.

…be overly repetative.

 Example
Restate your thesis Playing an instrument is a very beneficial skill, and everyone should learn
Statement because it provides an understanding of music, allows people to express
themselves, and gives the ability to entertain people. While other activities like
sports are only temporary, playing music is a skill that is retained for a lifetime.
Explain why its Music is a truly amazing thing and can satisfy just about anyone. While it can be
important.
very difficult at first, learning an instrument is acquiring a skill that provides
enjoyment for many hours.
 LESSON 7: Conclusions
Essential Questions

• Why is it important to edit and revise our papers?

• How can we successfully edit and revise with a
partner?
Editing V.S. Revising
Correcting straight Correcting problems
forward errors and with overall content,
mistakes making ideas clearer,
stronger and more
convincing
Editing V.S. Revising
Fixing errors with… Fixing…

Spelling Organization

Punctuation Focus

Grammar Style

Word Choice
Why is editing and revising important?

You can fix errors and make your paper better!

Your writing will become more persuasive and more

convincing.