ARGUMENTATIVE WRITING
You will be writing an argumentative letter relating to ​
The Giver​
. Possible topics below relate to
the characters, events, and themes from the book. TOPIC
LETTER TO:
LETTER FROM:
Sameness
Jonas
Jonas
Choice
Giver
Giver
Feelings
Mother and/or Father
Mother and/or Father
Family
Lily
Lily
Memories
Asher
Asher
Freedom
Fiona
Fiona
Individuality
Chief Elder
Chief Elder
Other topic (must be
approved)
Committee of Elders
Committee of Elders
The Community
The Community
Your letter should contain 4-5 paragraphs. It should include sound reasoning (claims), evidence,
and counterclaims.
Refer to the sample graphic organizer and letter as a guide. Be creative. Have fun!
Rubric: Sixth Grade Writing Response Rubric
Ideas
Organization
Voice
Word Choice
•
•
•
•
5
•
•
•
•
All major claims
support the
proposed
argument
All major
counterclaims
support the
proposed
argument
Evidence is
accurate and
supports each
claim and
counterclaim
Clear and
focused,
maintaining logic
and balance
throughout
Essay fits
purpose and
audience
•
•
•
•
Introduction includes
proposed argument
Supporting
paragraphs focus on
specific claim
Paragraphed
arrangement of ideas
reflect the purpose
A variety of transition
words used within the
paragraph to present
claims or
counterclaims
Conclusion shows a
point made by the
essay
•
•
•
•
Writing is confident
and knowledgeable
Point of view
consistent
throughout essay
Argument proposed
is positive
Tone is appropriate
to the subject matter
and audience
Writer’s voice can be
heard appropriately
throughout this
essay
•
•
•
•
Words are specific
and accurate
Lively verbs with
proper Subject/Verb
agreement
Specific nouns,
adjectives, and
adverbs used
correctly
All words spelled
out; no abbreviations
or text language, or
slang
Variety of word
choice; lack of
redundancy
Total Points Earned =
Achievement Grade =
Teacher’s Comments:
4
4 bullets present
4 bullets present
4 bullets present
4 bullets present
3
3 bullets present
3 bullets present
3 bullets present
3 bullets present
2
2 bullets present
2 bullets present
2 bullets present
2 bullets present
•
1
1 bullet present
1 bullet present
1 bullet present
1 bullet present
•
Sentence Fluency
Sentences are
skillfully written;
include a variety
of sentence types
and structures
(simple, complex,
compound)
Many short,
incomplete, or
run-on sentences
Conventions
•
•
Standard of
punctuation,
capitalization, and
spelling are
consistently
followed. May have
minor lapses.
Errors don’t create
confusion but are
evident
1415 E. 3rd Street Elsewhere Chief Elder 1605 E. Avenue The Community Dear Chief Elder, I am the Giver and I am writing to you from Elsewhere. I am writing this letter with the intent of giving everyone in the The Community memories. Everyone deserves to remember. Despite this, you and the Committee of Elders think that memories do not fall under the category of Sameness. I too think this, however, why get rid of all of the precious memories that once occurred amongst us? There is not just us and our Community. There is Elsewhere. Elsewhere lets its people have memories. It is time that we do the same. You and The Committee of Elders feel that remembering is worthless, and that only Jonas and I should have to bear it. I understand why you should feel this, for some emotions that memories give you are intolerable. However, recollection gives you feelings, something that we have not had in a long time. The teachers are supposed to teach their students, but they're not. They don't know anything about feelings. No one does. No one except for the receivers back, and back, and back. Some people believe that memories are unimportant. That they are useless. They believe that it is acceptable for the children of our Community to grow up and live their lives without reminiscence. But this is wrong. Memories give you knowledge of the world and its history. No one knows what has happened to the world, except for the ones who can remember. It is time that we change that. I understand that sometimes, memories of the world can be frightening. I have even been afraid of some. We are afraid of having them in our Community because we have never experienced anything like them. But without knowledge of the world and its history, what have we learned in school and in life? Nothing. Climate Control was told to exterminate all memories from The Community. To give them to The Receiver. You and the Committee of Elders were told to choose who The Receiver would be. To choose who would bear the weights of all of the sad, happy, and frightening memories. But no more. From memories, we gain courage and strength. You have wiped out everything from this Community. To try to make it a so called “utopia”. But you haven't. By getting rid of bravery and tenacity, you have taken away two of the most needed tools on the planet. But strength and courage are rising again. You, me, Jonas, and everyone in The Community need both of those traits to survive. Some would argue that we live in such a safe Community that there is no need for fortitude and boldness. But they are wrong. Without them, we are all afraid of everything. If you don't have those two traits, you are living a life unfulfilled. If you don't have strength and courage, what's the point of living? We are all ready to learn things that we had never thought possible. To have feelings. To gain strength and courage. Politely, I ask that you consider this and reflect on our laws. There is still time to change. Are you willing to do this? To let everyone in The Community have memories? Not just me and Jonas and the previous Receivers back, and back, and back? I encourage you to think about this. And to look back at all of the damage that we have done to this world by getting rid of the most important thing in the world. Memories. Sincerely, The Giver Dear Lily, As you know, before he left the community, I mentored your brother, Jonas. He left the community to get away from sameness, but his disappearance brought the memories back. These memories brought love, and love gives the option of liking and disliking. This is called choice, something that your village has never had before. I think that your town needs more choice and here’s why. The first type of choice you should have should be choice in your role in the community, or your job. The Elders would choose your jobs based on characteristics. They have watched you since the day you were born, but you still cannot change your job. Ever. Jonas was given a job that he had never even heard of. If he had a choice in this job, he probably would've picked a job that he wouldn't have run away from. But on the other hand, I do suppose people making those kind of decisions for you keeps you safer. People in your community know what you need, Lily, and that is what’s keeping you out of trouble. But life is about making your own choices, and people deciding what you are going to do dissolves choice. The second thing that needs to have more choice (or choice at all) is your family. Your family is who you look up to, and they support you and you support them. But family is not real, not in your village. Your family is chosen for you, all the time. In Elsewhere, some kids families are chosen for them, it's called adoption. But in your town, there is no real family, because everything seems to be adopted, nothing is natural. Your real family would know you from the day you were born, but they only know you once you’re practically a toddler. Therefore, they do not know what you are like and it is harder to get to know them. That is part of the reason why love is nonexistent, you don't know anyone until later on their life, you don’t know them from their first time in the world. Knowing someone that early is a special kind of love, a family love. Since family is only chosen by who needs a son or daughter, that is balance, not love. Whereas I suppose you can always see your past in the open hall of records. It is not the same as family love, though, nothing is the same as family love. Choice is the most confusing, but at the same time the most independent and enjoyable part of life. It allows people to show their likings through the decisions they make. In the community, having people make your decisions for you takes away independence and personality. Now that memories have been released, it is the most convenient time for change. I wrote this letter to you, Lily, to help you consider standing up to the elders, like your brother did. Now that this is the time for choice to be discovered, you need to make a choice yourself. It will be a choice to stand up and change the community. Sincerely, The Giver Dear Members of The Community, I am Jonas, writing to you from Elsewhere. The reason I am writing this letter is because I am in hopes of people considering the importance of choice in their life. Living in a community where everything is perfect isn’t all that perfect though. Everything is laid out in front of everyone, so they have instructions on how to live their life. Despite this, there are many flaws. Humans need choice. Decision plays a very important part in a person’s life, such as helping one become more mature and powerful. In Elsewhere, people can choose. Think about it. Do you know how much the “power to pick” has an impact for the good on someone’s life? Choice is an important part in a growing person’s life. Choosing can help one become more independent and mature, yet almost no one has the power to select. Everything is given or arranged beforehand and just laid out for you to do, so your life is already planned out. Everyone wears the same clothes, eat the same food, have the same schools, same houses, same number of people in a family unit. There’s literally no space for one to choose what they want to do. Sure, some people may abuse the power of choice, and use it for evil deeds and greed. I can also understand how the ability to pick won’t fulfill the requirements of Sameness. However, imagine if you could do what made ​
you​
happy! Do what the heart wants and be more independent! Overall, decision makes people mature and become self dependent faster. To add on, choice gives one capability over what they do. Maybe someone will make the wrong decision. And maybe that bad decision will cause multiple problems. I can see why the community wouldn’t want something like this. But imagine if everyone had freedom, opportunities. You have your jobs chosen for you. Your children are chosen for you. Your spouses are chosen for you. Every little thing is planned out, but what if ​
you ​
could choose your job, your children, and your husband/wife? Furthermore, one might be more motivated to work or do something they’re more passionate about, instead something they're just good at. You’ll be able to do what your heart wants! Choice is a very important part of life because with it, you will be happy. With decision­making , you will become more mature. With choice, you have power, independence, and much more. So, please, consider this: Choice can change your life, for it can make it better. Do this, and your life will have a meaning. Sincerely, Jonas