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Lesson Plan
The New York Times

I Don’t Think So: Writing Effective Counterarguments

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
When it comes to writing effective arguments, writers must do more than simply make a claim, counterarguments must be considered. Aspiring writers analyze counterarguments in editorials, and then learn how to write counterarguments in...
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Lesson Plan
1
1
Virginia Department of Education

Counterarguments

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Create an urbane battle royal in class with the old Coke vs. Pepsi challenge that develops upper level high school learners skills in developing counterarguments in essay writing. The educator divides the room according to tastes, and...
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Lesson Plan
Virginia Department of Education

Writing Counterarguments

For Teachers 11th - 12th
This activity is better utilized as a peer-editing exercise and not as an activity on how to write counterarguments. Writers take their argumentative rough drafts, peer edit in groups of four, and review the author on common essay...
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Lesson Plan
1
1
K20 LEARN

To Ban or Not to Ban? Intellectual Rights and Responsibilities: Banned Books, Censorship Part 2

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
After examining different perspectives on book banning, scholars select a book from a list of frequently banned books and research the controversies surrounding it. They then craft an argument about their chosen book, including arguments...
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Printables
2
2
Southern Nevada Regional Professional Development Program

Common Core Writing Strand: The Research Paper Template for Standards 7-8

For Teachers 9th - 10th Standards
Considering a research paper for freshman and sophomores? Here's a template designed to meet the W.9-10.7 and 8 Common Core writing standards. Writers outline their research question, claims, counterarguments, support, commentary, and...
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Workbook
Education Bureau of Hong Kong

Fundamentals

For Students 9th - 12th
"Fundamentals," the first lesson in a series of eight, introduces the basic concepts and strategies covered in a series of resources designed to teach high schoolers critical thinking skills. The worksheets and activities in this first...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Preparing Arguments

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students review the information from the previous instructional activity on persuasion essays. In groups, they brainstorm a list of arguments to use to support their trip to Six Flags. They also develop counterarguments and gather...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Environment or Economy?

For Teachers Higher Ed
Students develop counterarguments to John Mizzoni's article on business sustainability. In this economics vs. environment activity, students present examples of greenwashing and support them with rationale. They also discuss whether...
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Activity
Constitutional Rights Foundation

The Lincoln-Douglas Debates — Springboard to the White House

For Teachers 7th - 12th Standards
The Lincoln-Douglas Debates saw two primary political candidates debating seven different times about one of the most important social movements in United States history. Middle and high schoolers read an article that describes the...
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Lesson Plan
iCivics

So You Think You Can Argue

For Teachers 5th - 9th Standards
What defines an argument, and how can someone properly formulate a counterargument? This resource provides two options—an interactive PowerPoint presentation or worksheet—that will support your learners as they begin to explore how to...
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Unit Plan
1
1
Michigan Association of Intermediate School Administrators

Persuasive Essay: Grade 5

For Teachers 5th Standards
Improve your fifth graders' persuasive writing skills in four weeks. Working independently, in peer editing groups, and with instruction, writers work over the 17 sessions to craft an argumentative essay. They craft a well-organized...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Cartoons for the Classroom: Distracted Drivers

For Students 9th - 12th
How do your students feel about texting while driving? Two political cartoons display the issue using humor, and background information gives a more serious coverage of the dangers and legislation involved. Three talking points drive...
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Organizer
Student Handouts

Debate Notes Worksheet

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
Whether your young orators are preparing for an in-class debate, or you are presenting a video of a debate to your class, this is an easy-to-use template that will help them organize the major arguments of each debate position, as well...
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Website
University of North Carolina

Argument

For Students 9th - Higher Ed Standards
What elements make up a successful argument? A helpful resource describes aspects of an argument such as the claim, evidence, counterargument, and audience. Perfect as an individual assignment for a flipped lesson or collaborative work,...
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Interactive
US National Archives

WWII: The Pacific 1939-45 – Japan and the Atom Bomb

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
Though the scientists who developed the atom bomb did not believe it should be used to end World War II, American President Harry S. Truman and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill were of like mind in their decision to drop the bomb...
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Lesson Plan
5
5
Curated OER

Persuasive Practice: A Mt. Rushmore Addition

For Teachers 5th - 8th Standards
Budding authors research a US President and persuade the National Park Service to add him to Mt. Rushmore. In addition to the persuasive essay, individuals are required to develop a visual presentation using a web-based software that...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Persuasive Writing - Anticipating Opposing Views

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Persuasion, when used effectively, is a powerful and effective tool. In groups, young writers develop a persuasive letter about something that they would like their parents to allow them to do. Then, independently, they use proper...
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Assessment
Fluence Learning

Writing an Argument: Innovation in America

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Are American young people prepared to become tomorrow's leaders in technological innovation, or does an obsession with being cool sidetrack essential skills? That is the question freshmen and sophomores must address in a performance task...
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Lesson Plan
K20 LEARN

Argument Is Everywhere: Introduction to Argument

For Teachers 11th - 12th Standards
C.E.R = Claim + Evidence + Reasoning. That's the framework behind building a solid piece of argument writing. Introduce young writers to this format with an engaging lesson that uses YouTube videos and a PowerPoint to illustrate the...
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Unit Plan
C3 Teachers

Celebrity Social Responsibility: Does Celebrity Require Social Responsibility?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Is much required of those to whom much is given? That's the central question asked of middle schoolers in this lesson. Scholars consider the actions of Tommie Smith and John Carlos, Colin Kaepernick, Lady Gaga, and others who have taken...
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Unit Plan
C3 Teachers

Black Women Writers: What Gets Black Women Heard?

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Zora Neal Hurston, Toni Morrison, and Maya Angelou are featured in a guided inquiry unit. High schoolers research the lives and works of these and other Black women writers and craft an argument, using evidence from their research, to...
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Unit Plan
C3 Teachers

Democracy in Danger: Should the Right to Vote Be Protected in the Constitution?

For Teachers 12th
High school seniors investigate what national, state and local rules say about voting. After examining the Constitution's articles, clauses, and amendments, researchers look at videos, listen to podcasts, and read articles to gather...
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Unit Plan
C3 Teachers

Murder of Emmett Till: Is It Ever Too Late for Justice?

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
The murder of Emmett Till is the focus of a guided inquiry that asks scholars to research the events, the trial, recent attempts to reopen the case and the effect of the murder on people today.
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Unit Plan
C3 Teachers

Women’s Rights: What Does It Mean to Be Equal?

For Teachers 7th
A guided-inquiry lesson asks seventh graders to research the compelling question, "What does it mean to be equal?" Guided by three supporting questions, researchers complete three formative performance tasks and gather evidence from...