ARGUMENT WRITING RESEARCH
OVERVIEW
Writing Standard 1b: ARGUMENT
•Write arguments
to support claims
with clear reasons
and relevant
evidence.
Reading standard (8) for informational texts
Trace and evaluate the argument
and specific claims in a text,
assessing whether the reasoning
is sound and the evidence is
relevant and sufficient to support
the claims.
Just because it is on the internet,
does not make it true!!!
Ways to check for credibility of sources
Avoid pro/con blogs— these CAN give you a fun quote to
give a citizen perspective to add human interest to your writing for
a hook, or conclusion—but comments from ordinary citizens are
not your STRONGEST evidence in most cases.
BUT
BLOGS are sometimes written by experts—
research the author!
• A blog by a superintendent of schools would be credible on
issues related to school policy.
• A blog by a 4th grader at the school would NOT be as
credible on that topic, but would be a reasonable source if
you were writing about concerns of 4th graders.
Ways to check for credibility of sources
Avoid pro/con blogs— these CAN give you a fun quote to
give a citizen perspective to add human interest to your writing for
a hook, or conclusion—but comments from ordinary citizens are
not your STRONGEST evidence in most cases.
BUT
BLOGS are sometimes written by experts—
research the author!
• A blog by a superintendent of schools would be credible on
issues related to school policy.
• A blog by a 4th grader at the school would NOT be as
credible on that topic, but would be a reasonable source if
you were writing about concerns of 4th graders.
WHO can you trust….?
cont.
Google author’s names or sponsoring organization if given—see if they
have credentials as EXPERTS—
University professors, researchers with respected national or international
organizations, high-level spokespeople with direct experience in the field
related to your topic.
• Is there a bias in their publication?
• Greenpeace is an environmental group—so they have a bias that values
clean water over jobs;
• Gatorade would have a bias to show facts that suggest sport drinks as
healthier than water and leave out negative info…)
• Notice whether SEVERAL respected sources quote the SAME expert. This does
not mean it is ABSOLUTELY true—but it helps you evaluate.
• Trust major news organizations –but verify if you can!
• N.Y TIMES, Boston Globe, CNN, ABC….are trustworthy MOST of the time—
but double check THEIR sources by googling to find out more on the sources
THEY used.
Compare these source on the danger in
competitive sports for kids—which would you quote?
Sample article text:
In her book, Playing to Win, Hilary Friedman believes kids can
benefit from competition and says, “Competitive sports prepare kids
for adult challenges and obstacles.”
Author Mark Hyman notes, however, “Demanding coaches and
parents who expect their children to perform as stars and win college
scholarships have taken the fun out of the games.”
Sports pose threats of lasting physical injuries for young players.
According to Paige Osborne, “One reason football is too dangerous
for children to play is because of chronic traumatic encephalopathy,
otherwise known as CTE.”
Keep CLICKING!!!
You often find a BETTER source by
clicking links
Don’t start taking notes until you have
clicked around!
Playing to Win home page
impact of youth sports article
summary://www.rwjf.org/en/culture-ofhealth/2013/10/the_impact_of_compet.html
other writing://hilaryleveyfriedman.com/kids-and-competition-writings/