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Argumentative Writing Organization Practice

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Argumentative Writing Organization Practice

Read each question carefully. For writing tasks, use clear claims, relevant reasons, and evidence that supports your ideas.

Recognize the parts of an argument

A claim states the writer’s position. Reasons explain why the writer holds that position. Evidence supports reasons with facts or examples. A counterclaim presents a viewpoint that disagrees.

1.Which sentence makes the clearest argument about school lunch?

Many students eat lunch at school.
Schools should offer a daily vegetarian lunch because it gives students more nutritious choices.
Some school lunches include vegetables.
I have different thoughts about lunch.

2.Which statement best describes a counterclaim?

A detail that repeats the writer’s claim
A viewpoint that challenges the writer’s position
A final sentence that ends an essay
A piece of evidence that proves a reason

3.A school is considering adding shade trees to reduce the temperature in sunny parts of its yard. Which item would best provide measured evidence that shade trees could help lower temperatures there?

A measured temperature comparison between sunny and shaded areas of the schoolyard
A report from a credible organization about the benefits of trees in general
A student’s unsupported guess that trees are always helpful
A specific example of how shade helps students use the playground on hot days
A relevant survey with clearly stated results about students’ opinions of trees

4.Match each argumentative-writing term to its description.

Claim
Reason
Evidence
Counterclaim
Conclusion

The ending that reinforces the main position
A position that disagrees with the writer
A fact, example, or source that backs up a reason
The writer’s main position
An explanation for why the writer supports the position

Plan an argument

Topic: Should schools set aside time each week for students to read books of their choice?

5.Write a focused claim that answers whether schools should schedule weekly choice-reading time.

6.Give two different reasons that could support the claim that schools should schedule weekly choice-reading time.

7.Write one relevant piece of evidence that could support the reason that regular practice helps students become stronger readers.

8.Write one relevant piece of evidence that could support the reason that students may be more interested when they choose their own books.

9.Give a reasonable counterclaim someone might make about setting aside weekly time for choice reading.

10.Put these parts of an argumentative essay in a sensible order: conclusion; reasons and evidence, including a response to a counterclaim; introduction with the claim.

Organize a three-paragraph argument

Use the weekly choice-reading topic. Paragraph 1 introduces the issue and states a claim. Paragraph 2 gives reasons and evidence and addresses a counterclaim. Paragraph 3 restates the claim and closes the argument.

11.Write a complete three-paragraph argument answering whether schools should schedule weekly choice-reading time. Include a clear claim, at least two reasons, evidence for those reasons, a counterclaim with a response, and a concluding paragraph.