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Writing
Curated OER

Persuasive Arguments

For Students 4th - 6th
Examine persuasive writing using this informational excerpt about natural habitat conservation. Readers examine the headings of three paragraphs to determine their effect, then copy the first sentences of each. They use these topic...
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Lesson Plan
EngageNY

Tracing and Evaluating Arguments: “The Future of Water” and The Big Thirst

For Teachers 7th Standards
Can scholars predict the future? They try as they first watch the video The Future of Water to capture details and trace the argument. Next, individuals complete the Tracing an Argument note catcher to guide their thoughts. To finish,...
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Lesson Plan
EngageNY

Mid-Unit Assessment, Part 1: Tracing and Evaluating Arguments

For Teachers 7th Standards
It's test time! As part one of the mid-unit assessment, scholars complete a Tracing an Argument note-catcher for both a text and a video about the Internet's effect on the brain. Pupils demonstrate learning by evaluating the argument and...
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Lesson Plan
EngageNY

Evaluating an Argument in The Big Thirst

For Teachers 7th Standards
Don't argue with me! Scholars first evaluate the argument in The Big Thirst. Learners work with partners to determine if the text supplies enough evidence to support the claim. They then complete a Tracing an Argument Note catcher for...
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Lesson Plan
EngageNY

Evaluating an Argument: The Polyface Local Sustainable

For Teachers 8th Standards
Who has the better argument? Class members work in small groups to compare the arguments on the Example of Strong and Flawed Arguments sheet. They then analyze Michael Pollan’s argument on pages 161–166 of The Omnivore’s Dilemma and...
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Lesson Plan
1
1
National Endowment for the Humanities

The Argument of the Declaration of Independence

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
When in the course of a course on historic American events, it becomes necessary for learners to examine, with decent respect, the Declaration of Independence, it becomes evident that there are six separate and equal parts of that...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Reading and Writing Arguments

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Should schools continue to teach cursive writing? After reading and considering the merits of a series of arguments on both sides of this proposition, class members choose a side of the issue and craft their own argument, drawing support...
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Website
University of North Carolina

Evaluating Print Sources

For Students 9th - Higher Ed Standards
Not all sources are created equal, so how do you evaluate them? Writers learn how to evaluate print sources based on elements such as audience, tone, and argument in the sixth handout of 24 in the Writing the Paper series from the...
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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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Lesson Plan
EngageNY

Logic and Argument: Evaluating the Argument in “Beyond the Brain”

For Teachers 7th Standards
The brain is not the mind. Scholars explore the claim by reading an informational article about neuroscience research, "Beyond the Brain." As they read, they answer text-dependent questions and complete an anchor chart to evaluate...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Campaign Trailblazers

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
Explore the backgrounds, qualifications, and platforms of the presidential candidates for the 2000 election. Though the lesson is outdated, the activities within the informational text could be good practice for your young learners as...
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Lesson Plan
EngageNY

End of Unit Assessment: Tracing and Evaluating Arguments

For Teachers 7th Standards
Give water the attention it deserves. Scholars watch Corporations Need to Pay More Attention to Water and respond to questions as part of their end of the unit assessment. They then complete the assessment by reading and responding to...
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Lesson Plan
1
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Turabian Teacher Collaborative

Parts of Argument II: Article Critique

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Break down the parts of argumentative writing with a critical thinking activity. High schoolers read an article of your (or their choice), and use a graphic organizer to delineate the ways the author structures his or her arguments.
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Lesson Plan
EngageNY

Grade 9 ELA Module 4, Unit 1, Lesson 19

For Teachers 9th Standards
Building on the previous discussion of the supplemental reading article "Where Sweatshops Are a Dream," class members use the provided Evaluating Argument and Evidence Tool to identify the claims and evidence Nicholas Kristof uses to...
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Unit Plan
1
1
University of Delaware

Constructing Text-Based Arguments About Social Issues

For Teachers 8th Standards
Eighth graders take a stand on a variety of controversial topics with a lesson on argumentative writing. As they view an informative presentation and work with collaborative groups, they decide which side of each argument they want to...
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Unit Plan
4
4
Odell Education

Building Evidence-Based Arguments: “Doping can be that last 2 percent.”

For Teachers 7th Standards
Even the most thrilling sports career can end in an asterisk if the player uses performance-enhancing drugs. Focused on the topic of doping in sports, a seventh grade unit breaks down the arguments for and against steroids in five...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Going-to-the-Sun Road: A Model of Landscape Engineering (95)

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Young thinkers identify the problems encountered in designing and building Going-to-the-Sun Road through Glacier National Park. They describe, introduce, and evaluate arguments for building roads to provide access to the park and other...
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Lesson Plan
K20 LEARN

Reframing the Argument: Examining Argument through a New Lens

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
As part of a study of crafting compelling arguments, class members tackle the problem presented in Lawrence Kohlberg's "The Heinz Dilemma." After discussing the dilemma with classmates, writers draft an essay with a claim, support it...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Limiting Trade

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Read a narrative describing various types of trade restrictions, and then engage in a debate about a new tariff. Critical thinkers will evaluate arguments to determine who benefits and who is hurt by the new tariff. Consider assigning...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Test-Driving Computers

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
A new form of standardized testing? Learners evaluate arguments for and against the use of computer-based standardized tests in schools. They express their views through discussion and explore the views of others through the creation and...
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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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Lesson Plan
EngageNY

End of Unit Assessment Parts 1 and 2: Evaluating Arguments and Claims

For Teachers 8th Standards
Which came first: the chicken or the egg? As part of the end-of-unit assessment for The Omnivore’s Dilemma, scholars watch a video about organic eggs versus conventional farm eggs. They use graphic organizers to collect evidence as they...
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Organizer
Polk Bros Foundation

Organize an Argument

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
Prepare your pupils for a debate or argumentative writing assignment. Students can use the two columns here to take notes on two different arguments about the same topics. They then note down their own positions and briefly explain their...
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Organizer
Jen London

Building an Argument

For Teachers 6th - 10th Standards
Collect evidence and reasons and fill them in on this page to prepare for presenting an argument. Learners can evaluate what they are missing and make sure they fill in each line and bubble before considering their argument complete.