How to teach Argumentative Writing

A step –by- step plan for Teaching Argumentative Writing

STEP 1: WATCH HOW IT IS DONE

Give students samples of writings. Make them read these texts, compare them, and find places where the authors used evidence to back up their assertion.

step 2: informal argument, freestyle

Make students do some informal debate on easy, high-interest topics. This will look a little bit like a debate, as students from either side tend to defend their position to those on the other side.

step 3: informal argument, not so freestyle

Set up a second debate; this time with more structure and more time to research ahead of time. Before leaving this step, have students transfer their thoughts from teh discussion they just had into something that looks like the opening paragraph of a written argment. 

step 4: introduction of THE PERFORMANCE assessment

Show them a model of a piece of writing that meets the requirements of the assignment.

step 5: building the base

Devote at least one more class period to having students consider their topic for the essay, drafting a thesis statement, and planning the main points of their essay in a graphic organizer.

step 6: writer´s workshop

Writer’s workshop: mini-lesson about a particular aspect of craft.

Show students how to choose credible, relevant evidence, how to skillfully weave evidence into an argument, how to consider the needs of an audience, and how to correctly cite sources.

step 7: final assessment

The finished essays are handed in for a grade.