Adapted from www.learnzillion.com
for EMS 7th grade science classes
by Jeannece Luhrs
What are the steps for researching a topic
before you begin writing? Please list in order.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Start with an Essential Question.
Choose a sub-topic (your specific energy
choice).
Conduct research: Read articles and
complete prewriting graphic organizers.
Write a claim.
Create an outline.
I can organize my research by creating a claim.
I can create an outline for my argument. W.7.4
We are going to use our Essential Question to
write a claim for our argument. A claim, or
thesis statement, should be located as the last
sentence in the first paragraph and represents
the controlling idea of the writing.
Our Essential Question:
What is the best resource to meet our future
energy needs?
Sample EQ: What is the best resource to meet
our future energy needs?
• I need restate the question as a declarative
sentence, so I will take out the question
words and the question mark.
That leaves this:
_________________is the best resource to meet
our future energy needs.
•



I will write my chosen energy source, nuclear
energy, in the blank to create a thesis
statement.
Nuclear energy is the best resource to meet
our future energy needs.
A claim should not have the words “I think” or
“my opinion” as part of the sentence.
Essential Question:
What is the best energy source to meet our
future needs?
_______________ is the best energy source to
meet our future needs.
Copy your claim on your outline on the line in
the first box.
The second paragraph of your argument
should present your first reason in a topic
sentence. The topic sentence should begin with
a transition word.
Sample transition words for the first point of
an argument are:
First,
First of all,
The first reason …..
One way …..
One reason why nuclear energy is the best
resource to meet our future energy needs is
________________.
One way that nuclear energy meets our future
energy needs is by ________________.
First of all, nuclear energy ____________.
The first reason that nuclear energy is the best
source to meet our future energy needs is_____.
Write the topic sentence for your first reason
on the blank in the second paragraph.
Choose one of the sample transitions. If you
feel that you would like to use a more
advanced transition, write the sentence and
then raise your hand to get it approved by your
teacher.
The third paragraph of your argument should
present your second reason in a topic
sentence. The topic sentence should begin with
a transition word.
Sample transition words for the second point
of an argument are:
Second,
Next,
The next reason …..
Another way …..
Another reason why nuclear energy is the best
resource to meet our future energy needs is
________________.
Another way that nuclear energy meets our future
energy needs is by ________________.
Next, nuclear energy ____________.
The second reason that nuclear energy is the best
source to meet our future energy needs is_____.
Write the topic sentence for your second
reason on the blank in the third paragraph.
Choose one of the sample transitions. If you
feel that you would like to use a more
advanced transition, write the sentence and
then raise your hand to get it approved by your
teacher.
The fourth paragraph of your argument should
present your third reason in a topic sentence.
The topic sentence should begin with a
transition word.
Sample transition words for the second point
of an argument are:
Third,
Finally,
A final reason …..
A third reason why…..
A third reason why nuclear energy is the best
resource to meet our future energy needs is
________________.
A third way that nuclear energy meets our future
energy needs is by ________________.
Finally, nuclear energy ____________.
The final reason that nuclear energy is the best
source to meet our future energy needs is_____.
Write the topic sentence for your third reason
on the blank in the fourth paragraph.
Choose one of the sample transitions. If you
feel that you would like to use a more
advanced transition, write the sentence and
then raise your hand to get it approved by your
teacher.
Look back over your notes and your graphic
organizer. Jot down the most important reasons why
someone would disagree with your point.
Choose the strongest opposition to your point of
view. Write it down and begin with the word
“although.”
Example using nuclear energy: Although
accidents at nuclear energy plants cause illness
and even death,
You have considered the opposing point of view
and acknowledged it; however, that is not enough!
You must end with YOUR position. You must
REFUTE the other side.
Although accidents at nuclear energy plants cause
illness and even death, research shows that the
risk of nuclear accidents are extremely low and the
benefits of nuclear energy far exceed the risk of
accidents. Therefore, nuclear power plant
accidents should not deter us from utilizing this
energy source for our future needs.
Step One: Jot down the opposition to your point of
view.
Step Two: Choose the strongest opposing point.
Step Three: Write a clause beginning with the word
although.
Step Four: Refute the other side by giving a strong
reason why that point is not strong enough to
overcome your point.
Step Five: Add a last sentence to clarify your point.
Write your counterargument in fifth box of the
outline.

Jot down conclusions that you have drawn.
You will use these to write your concluding
paragraph.
Choose an introduction and conclusion.
Add relevant evidence for each reason.
Use the outline to write your piece!
Note: Each paragraph should include:
1.
A topic sentence.
2.
A sentence for each piece of evidence that supports the
reason.
3.
A sentence that supports or explains the evidence
sentence.
4.
A concluding sentence.
Each paragraph should have at least six sentences.
Be sure to include each source that you use in
a Bibliography.
Each time you use information that is not your
own within your piece, you must reference the
source.
Examples:
• According to ______,
• (Name of article) states that_____
• Research done by _____ reveals that _____
What questions do you still have about:
•
•
•
•
•
How to write a claim?
How to determine the main points your will
make for your paper?
How to create a topic sentence for each
paragraph?
How to write a counterargument?
Any other questions?????