Lesson Handouts

ARGUMENT
WRITING
A Step-by-step, CCSS Aligned Unit

Grades
6-12
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Argumentative Writing
Introduction

What makes a strong argument? What is argumentative writing?

We encounter argumentative writing everyday. All different types of writers use argumentative
writing to convince others of views on various issues or ideas. List examples of where we see this in
our everyday lives.
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Forming Arguments Practice

Circle either disagree or agree, and summarize your argument. Be prepared to debate these topics.

Statement Positon

Agree or Disagree
Support:

Agree or Disagree
Support:

Agree or Disagree
Support:

Agree or Disagree
Support:
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Is Google making us less intelligent?

We use search engines everyday to find quick
information. Are they making us less smart? Read
these two works of argumentative writing which are
from opposing perspectives.

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
Yes! that supports each reason.

Who doesn't love Google? In the blink of an eye, the search engine delivers useful information
about pretty much any subject imaginable. I use it all the time, and I'm guessing you do too.
Using Google limits the need for higher level thinking. What really makes us intelligent isn't
our ability to find lots of information quickly. It's our ability to think deeply about that information.
And deep thinking, brain scientists have discovered, happens only when our minds are calm and
attentive. The greater our concentration, the richer our thoughts.
You'll never think deeply without distraction if you're always Googling, texting, and surfing. If
we're distracted, we understand less, remember less, and learn less. That's the problem with
Google—and with the Internet in general. When we use our computers and our cellphones all the
time, we're always distracted. The Net bombards us with messages and other bits of data, and
every one of those interruptions breaks our train of thought. We end up scatterbrained.
Even as Google is giving us all that useful information, it's also encouraging us to think
superficially. It's making us shallow. Google doesn't want us to slow down. The faster we zip
across the Web, clicking links and skimming words and pictures, the more ads Google is able to
show us and the more money it makes.
If you're really interested in developing your mind, you should turn off your computer and your
cellphone—and start thinking. Really thinking. You can Google all the facts you want, but you'll
never Google your way to brilliance.
Nicholas Carr, Author
The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains
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Is Google making us less intelligent?

NO!

Any new information technology has both advocates and critics. More than 2,000 years ago, the
classical Greek philosopher Socrates complained that the new technology of writing "will create
forgetfulness in the learners' souls because they will not use their memories."
Today, Google is the new technology.
The Internet contains the world's best writing, images, and ideas; Google lets us find the
relevant pieces instantly. This has been proven to be extremely useful in all sorts of ways. These
easily found images, writing pieces, and ideas improve our own projects and works.
Google allows people to find information on obscure topics that might not be found elsewhere.
Suppose I'm interested in the guidance computers on Apollo spacecraft in the 1960s. My local
library has no books on that specific subject—just 18 books about the Apollo missions in general.
I could hunt through those or turn to Google, which returns 45,000 pages, including a definitive
encyclopedia article and instructions for building a unit.
Just as a car allows us to move faster and a telescope lets us see farther, access to the
Internet's information lets us think better and faster. By considering a wide range of information,
we can arrive at more creative and informed solutions. Internet users are more likely to be
exposed to a diversity of ideas. In politics, for example, they are likely to see ideas from left and
right, and see how news is reported in other countries.
For the internet, opportunities outweigh the distractions. Socrates was wrong to fear the
coming of the written word: Writing has improved our law, science, arts, culture, and our
memory. When the history of our current age is written, it will say that Google has made us
smarter—both individually and collectively—because we have ready and free access to
information. Peter Norvig, Director of Research
Google Inc.
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What do you think?

Is Google making us less intelligent?
Explain your opinion on whether Google is making us less intelligent. Write one paragraph.

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Argument Essay Checklist

1 Before Writing
q Choose an effective topic that you are comfortable writing about and interested in.
q Create three main reasons that support your viewpoint.

2 Research
q Find credible and relevant sources to support your argument.
q Take notes of the most important and useful in your own words.
q Create a bibliography in MLA format

3 Introduction Paragraph
q Write a thesis statement stating your viewpoint and your three reasons.
q Write an effective hook that draws the reader in.
q Draft your complete introduction paragraph including your hook and thesis statement.

4 Body Paragraphs
q Write a topic sentence that introduces the first reason.
q Provide at least three supporting examples with 1-3 details for each example.
q Write a concluding sentence.

5 Refutation Paragraph
q Present opposing argument(s).
q Acknowledge valid points of the opposing argument.
q Refute these points

6 Conclusion Paragraph
q Restate thesis in a different way, including your viewpoint and your three reasons.
q Explain why its important.
q End with a statement to make the reader think.
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Choosing a Topic
What makes a topic successful?

Brainstorm at least six different topics that you would be interested in writing an argumentative
essay about. You can use examples provided as well as your own topic ideas.

Some Examples…
1.
• Should students wear uniforms to school?

2. • Should students be paid for their grades?

• Should smartphones be allowed class?

3.
• How much homework should be given daily?

• Should smoking be banned in public?

4.
• Is eating healthy important?

5. • Is exercising important?

• Should students be given more reading time

6. throughout the school day?

• Should students be given more recess or free

time during the school day?
7.
• Should students be able to attend college
without having to pay tuition?
8.
• Should students take foreign language courses?
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Choosing a Topic
After discussion with your teacher, narrow down your potential topics to the two you are most
interested in writing about.

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Write one paragraph explaining your viewpoint on topic one. Don’t worry about editing,
organizing, or revising. Just get your thoughts into words.
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Now draft three main reasons to support your viewpoint on topic one.

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Choosing a Topic
Write one paragraph explaining your viewpoint on topic two. Don’t worry about editing, organizing,
or revising. Just get your thoughts into words.
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Now draft three main reasons to support your viewpoint on topic two.

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My topic choice is:

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Thesis Statements

You have read introduction paragraphs including the thesis statements below with opposite viewpoints
on whether schools should participate in national “Shut Down your Screen Week.” Write your own
thesis statement below on whether you think participating is a good or bad idea. Remember to include
three reasons.

The School should not participate in the national “Shut The school should participate in national “Shut
Down Your Screen Week” because the internet allows us Down your Screen Week” because electronics
better access to information, it is a great learning tool, and cause focus problems, they don’t allow us to
helps to stay in touch with friends through social media. think deeply, and they are bad for our health.
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Writing our Thesis Statements

State your viewpoint on the topic you have chosen. (Ex. Homework should be eliminated on
1 the weekends.”) Remember to eliminate phrases like “I think” and “In my opinion.”

My viewpoint is…
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Before writing your thesis statement, you must decide on your three reasons. Remember, you
2 can always change these later if you have trouble writing an entire paragraph for each reason.

My three reasons are…

Reason 1:_____________________________________________________

Reason 2:_____________________________________________________

Reason 3:_____________________________________________________

3 Finally, combine your three viewpoints and three reasons to create your thesis statement.

My thesis statement is…

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Type of Hooks
You just learned about four different types of hooks. Using the information presented, choose the two
types that best suit your topic, and write your own below. Leave the other two sections blank.

Example: According to the Center for Disease

and Control, cigarette smoking kills more than
480,000 Americans each year, with more than
41,000 of these deaths from exposure to
secondhand smoke. This is a problem that is
easily preventable.

My Hook:

Example: “If my future were determined just

by my performance on a standardized test, I
wouldn’t be here. I guarantee you that.” This
was said by First Lady, Michelle Obama.

My Hook:
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Type of Hooks
Example: Rewarding everyone who
participates with a trophy, regardless of
success or failure, is not only ridiculous, but
damaging to any child.

My Hook:

Example: Eleanor began smoking at age 15.

Completely unaware of what she was doing to
her 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.

My Hook:

Finally, with the help of your teacher, choose which hook type you will use in your essay. Circle your
choice below.
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Introduction Paragraph
SAVE THIS PAPER!
On this organizer, write the draft of your introduction paragraph using your hook and thesis
statement. Also use transitional sentences to smoothly connect your hook to your thesis.

Hook:

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Transitional Sentences:

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Thesis Statement:

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Should the school participate in Shutdown-

your-screen week?

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.

Using electronics and multi-tasking causes focus problems, on and off computers. In 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 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 develop new habits of not using their phone or computer all

the time.
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Body Paragraph #1
SAVE THIS PAPER!
Use this organizer to write the draft of your first body paragraph with a topic sentence, details and
examples, and a concluding or transitional sentence.

Topic Sentence:

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Details and Examples

Supporting Detail:
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Example(s):
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Supporting Detail:
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Example(s):
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Body Paragraph #1 Continued

SAVE THIS PAPER!

Details and Examples

Supporting Detail:
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Example(s):
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Supporting Detail:
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Concluding/ Transitional Sentence:

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Body Paragraph #2
SAVE THIS PAPER!
Use this organizer to write the draft of your second body paragraph with a topic sentence, details
and examples, and a concluding or transitional sentence.

Topic Sentence:

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Details and Examples

Supporting Detail:
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Supporting Detail:
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Body Paragraph #2 Continued

SAVE THIS PAPER!

Details and Examples

Supporting Detail:
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Supporting Detail:
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Concluding/ Transitional Sentence:

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Body Paragraph #3
SAVE THIS PAPER!
Use this organizer to write the draft of your third body paragraph with a topic sentence, details and
examples, and a concluding or transitional sentence.

Topic Sentence:

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Details and Examples

Supporting Detail:
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Supporting Detail:
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Body Paragraph #3 Continued

SAVE THIS PAPER!

Details and Examples

Supporting Detail:
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Supporting Detail:
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Concluding/ Transitional Sentence:

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Refutation Paragraph
SAVE THIS PAPER!
Topic Sentence:

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Details and Examples

Concession/ Acknowledgment of opposition:
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Rebuttal:
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Concession/ Acknowledgment of opposition:
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Concluding/ Transitional Sentence:

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Conclusion Paragraph
SAVE THIS PAPER!
On this organizer, write the draft of your conclusion paragraph.

Example
Playing an instrument is a very beneficial skill, and everyone should learn 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.
Music is a truly amazing thing and can satisfy just about anyone. While it can be very difficult at first,
learning an instrument is acquiring a skill that provides enjoyment for many hours.

Restate Thesis Statement:

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Explain why its important:

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Self Editing/Revising Checklist

This checklist will guide you through the editing. Check off each step as you complete them. Also
feel free to make any other changes.

1 Editing
q I capitalized the first letter in every sentence.
q There is punctuation at the end of each sentence.
q Proper nouns begin with capital letters.
q There are no run-on sentences.
q All words are spelled correctly.
q I used commas where necessary.
q I indented every paragraph.

2
2 Revising
q My hook is interesting and will make someone want to read more.
q My thesis statement states the main idea of my paper and three reasons.
q All the information in my paper supports the main idea.
q My paragraphs are logically organized.
q My conclusion restates the thesis statement in a different way.
q My conclusion paragraph effectively ends the paper and makes the reader think.
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Peer Editing/Revising Sheet
Find a partner to help edit and revise your paper. Switch papers with your partner, and complete
this sheet about his/her essay.

My partner is________________________________
1. Read your partner’s essay completely without making any changes.

2. Go through the essay, and fix any grammar, punctuation, spelling, or word choice errors.

3. What kind of hook did your partner use? Is it effective?

4. What is your partner’s thesis statement? Is it effective?

5. Does your partner use a topic sentence in all three body paragraphs? Highlight them.

6. Does your partner have enough details and examples in each body paragraph? If not, explain
where more could be added.

7. Does your partner’s conclusion make the reader think? Is there anything that could be added?

8. Explain two things your partner did well in his/her essay and two things that can be improved.