Monday 9/10 (in class)
Student Handbook Prewriting
Use the handout to plan your argument essay
Compass SAT-style Argument
Essay Pre-writing
Type 2 Writing Assignment: Unit Work
(Formative) Assessment
Complete this work by the beginning of
class _________________________________
[] Choose a policy in the Student Handbook that you would like
to respond to.
Quote the policy here:
[] Decide if you will argue in support of the policy, in
opposition to the policy, or for a particular revision of the policy that you
state clearly. In other words take a position; make a claim.
Write your position as a claim (or thesis)
here:
[] Prepare supporting reasoning and examples for your position.
What reasoning and examples will you use to support your
argument?
State four (4) reasons and examples.
1. State a reason that supports your claim.
State an example
that supports that reasoning.
2. State a
reason that supports your claim.
State an example
that supports that reasoning.
3. State a
reason that supports your claim.
State an example
that supports that reasoning.
4. State a
reason that supports your claim.
State an example
that supports that reasoning.
[] Now consider the
reasoning that someone arguing against your position and for a different
position might use.
Give at least two
examples of reasoning that someone arguing against your position and for a
different position might use.
How could you
respond to the reasoning stated above in a way that would help support your
position?
[] What are your
strongest two reasons and examples?
[] What order for
those two reasons and examples would be most effective?
Monday (at home)
Finish pre-writing
Tuesday 9/11 (in class)
Bring your completed prewriting handout to class.
Take a look at the grading rubric and SAT-argument examples.
Write a draft of your essay (introduction presenting your position, at least two body paragraphs each with a supporting reason and well-developed example, conclusion driving home your position)
Tuesday (at home)
Finish your draft.
Wednesday 9/12 (in class)
Self-assessment and peer-assessment of student handbook policy argument essays
Persuasive
argument essay
(using
rhetoric)
What do you do
after you’ve written a complete draft?
Self-Assess
- Go back through the directions to make sure you’ve done everything.
- Reread with the directions and rubric in mind.
- First paragraph
- Do you have a sentence at the beginning that grabs the reader's attention? Mark this with a "g".
- Do you have a sentence in the first paragraph that clearly states and/or explains the policy that you are responding to? Mark this with a "p".
- Do you have a sentence in the first paragraph that clearly states your position on the policy (this is your claim and/or your thesis)? Mark this with a "t"
- Body paragraphs
- Does each body paragraph clearly state a reason that supports your position? Mark this with an "r" in each body paragraph.
- Does each body paragraph develop an example that supports the reason? Mark this with an "e" in each body paragraph.
- Conclusion
- In a final paragraph do you clearly state your position (your claim, your thesis)? Mark this with another "t".
- In the final paragraph do you remind the reader of key reasons and examples? Mark these reminders with other "r"s.
- Proofread…again. How?
- Reread aloud slowly using a one-foot voice.
- Reread in reverse (sentence-by-sentence, paragraph by paragraph)
- Reflect.
- What are you proud of? What have you done well?
- What would you do differently? What would you work on if you had more time?
Peer-Assess
- Ask someone else to read & make comments in the margin about elements from the rubric that you'd like them to comment on.
- At the end of the argument essay your peer assessor must also answer the question, is the essay convincing? Explain.
- The peer editor must sign your draft.
Wednesday (at home)
Work on final draft of your student handbook policy argument essay.
Thursday 9/13 (in class)
Begin independent reading.
Thursday (at home)
Finish final draft of your student handbook policy argument essay.
Friday 9/14 (in class)
Turn in your final draft with first draft, self/peer assessment, and prewriting.
