Argument
ARGUMENT
Reading an Argument
t presents an opinion.
An argument is a type of text tha
author:
When writing this type of text, the
KEY FEATURES
view, clearly
• states an opinion, or point of
cific reasons
• backs up the opinion with spe
and details
STRUCTURE
ally includes an
The structure of an argument usu
and a conclusion.
introduction, body paragraphs
STUDENT EDITION: ARGUMENT 2
ARGUMENT
Here is a sample prompt.
Here is a sample argument.
Write an argument in the
form of a letter to one of
Emperor Qin’s craftsmen.
In your argument, tell
the craftsman what you
think about all the work
that he did on the
Terracotta Army.
MENTOR
TEXT
Dear Craftsman,
I know that you are one of the people who worked on Emperor Qin’s famous buried
army. I am writing you this letter to let you know that I think you did a great job.
I think this for many reasons.
First of all, the statues in the Terracotta Army are very nice to look at. There are
many different kinds of statues, including soldiers, musicians and horses. Each
statue has a special or unique face. This must have been very hard for you and the
other craftsmen to do.
I also think it is really amazing that you made so many terracotta warriors in such
a short amount of time. You and the other craftsmen made 8000 statues in 8 years.
Therefore, you made more than 1000 statues each year! That is a lot of work.
Finally, I think the best part of your work is that it has lasted for such a long time.
You and the other craftsmen built the statues around 221 BCE and the farmers
discovered them in 1974 CE. They still looked good.
For all of these reasons, I think you did a wonderful job on the Terracotta Army.
Emperor Qin must have been proud. The statues were beautiful, you made them
quickly, and they have lasted a very long time.
Here is the introduction,
where the author says
what he or she will talk
about in this argument.
Here are the body
paragraphs, where the
author develops his or
her ideas. The underlined
words are linking words,
or words that help
connect ideas and make
sentences flow.
In the conclusion, the
author restates his or her
opinion and sums up the
main points.
STUDENT EDITION: ARGUMENT 3
ARGUMENT
Writing an Argument
Writing an
Argument
You will now write your own argument.
Choose one of the following prompts to answer.
Write an argument about
a famous discovery. In your
the
writing, be sure to include
following:
• a description of the
discovery
• reasons and details why
you think this was a great
discovery
PROMPT
Write a letter to so
meone,
alive or dead, who
you think
is a great leader. In
your
argument, be sure
to include
the following:
• a description of
the leader
• reasons and deta
ils why
you think this person
is a
great leader
PLAN
WRITE
REVISE
EDIT
PEER
REVIEW
STUDENT EDITION: ARGUMENT 4
ARGUMENT
Plan your argument using the following graphic organiser: a concept map.
My opinion is
Writing an
Argument
because
PROMPT
1. 2. Reason #1
3. Reason #3
Reason #2
PLAN
WRITE
REVISE
EDIT
PEER
REVIEW
Conclusion
STUDENT EDITION: ARGUMENT 5
ARGUMENT
Write your argument in the space provided.
Writing an
Argument
PROMPT
PLAN
WRITE
REVISE
EDIT
PEER
REVIEW
If you need more paper, ask your teacher!
STUDENT EDITION: ARGUMENT 6
ARGUMENT
Revising Minilesson
Linking words help connect
sentences and make
ideas flow. When you
use a linking word at the
beginning of a sentence,
use a comma after it.
Go back to your argument.
Use the following ideas
to help you revise your
work. Place a tick beside
each step after you have
completed the task.
Writing an
Argument
When you revise your work, try to use linking words.
Linking Words
PROMPT
To show ...
Use these LINKING WORDS ...
EXAMPLES
time
first, to begin with, next, secondly,
lastly, finally, in conclusion
In conclusion, all people
should have the right to vote.
examples
for example, for instance, specifically,
especially, in particular
For instance, people like
having pets.
similarities
similarly, likewise, also, in addition
Similarly, we should listen to
others.
differences
on the other hand, however, in contrast,
but, nevertheless, yet
On the other hand, sometimes
we must do what is best.
cause and
effect
as a result, consequently, therefore,
because, thus, hence
This is important to many
people; therefore, we should
make it a law.
PLAN
WRITE
REVISE
Checklist
Check that you
have used linking
words correctly.
EDIT
PEER
REVIEW
Add one new
linking word to
your writing.
STUDENT EDITION: ARGUMENT 7
ARGUMENT
Editing Minilesson
Punctuation marks
separate sentences and
help to make meaning clear
in your writing.
Go back to your argument.
Use the following ideas
to help you edit your
work. Place a tick beside
each step after you have
completed the task.
When you edit your work, pay careful attention to punctuation marks.
Punctuation Marks
PUNCTUATION MARK
.
Full stop
!
Exclamation mark
?
Question mark
‘
Apostrophe
Check that
you have used
punctuation
marks correctly.
Highlight all of
the punctuation
marks and label
each.
PURPOSE
EXAMPLES
Comes at the end of a sentence
My name is Paul.
PROMPT
We went to the park this morning.
Comes at the end of a sentence;
shows emphasis
I am so confused!
Comes at the end of a sentence;
shows a question
How are you?
Takes the place of missing letters; or,
shows possession
Matt’s cat is very cute.
Quotation marks
Show the words someone is speaking
Jax said, “I really love cupcakes.”
,
Comma
Separates phrases or items in a list
At the store, I bought many things.
:
Colon
Comes at the beginning of a list
The subjects I learn in school include the
following: science, history and social studies.
;
Semicolon
Separates two independent clauses
in a sentence
I love going to the museum; the paintings
there are so beautiful.
()
Parentheses
Separate parts of a sentence when
extra detail or information is needed
There are many things (such as swimming
and reading) that I enjoy doing each day.
–
Dash
Separates parts of a sentence when
an idea or statement needs more
detail or explanation
The night was scary – dark, rainy and filled
with fog.
-
Hyphen
Separates parts of a compound word
The room was filled with six-year-olds.
…
Ellipsis
Shows part of a sentence that has
been left out; or, can be used to show
a sentence is incomplete
Abdul replied, “I am happy to meet you all …
and I know we will be good friends.”
““
Checklist
Writing an
Argument
PLAN
This is amazing!
What is your name?
WRITE
I won’t do that again.
REVISE
I got some celery, carrots and potatoes.
He stared off into the distance …
EDIT
PEER
REVIEW
STUDENT EDITION: ARGUMENT 8
ARGUMENT
You have finished planning, writing, revising and editing. Now it’s time to share your work!
Peer Review
1. Trade papers with a partner.
2. Use the rubric to review your partner’s argument. Read each statement at the
top of the chart. Then mark the level that describes your partner’s paper.
3. Lastly, during a meeting with your partner, share your feedback.
Writing an
Argument
PROMPT
PLAN
Argument Rubric
My name
My partner’s name
WRITE
My partner’s argument
has the key features and
structure of this genre.
My partner’s
argument uses
linking words correctly.
My partner’s
argument uses
punctuation correctly.
Starting Out
Starting Out
Starting Out
On the Way
On the Way
On the Way
Good
Good
Good
REVISE
EDIT
PEER REVIEW
Really Good
Really Good
Really Good
Excellent
Excellent
Excellent
STUDENT EDITION: ARGUMENT 9