Name:
Argumentative Essay Brainstorm
Topic:
Reasons to Agree
Reasons to Disagree
1.
1.
2.
2.
3.
3.
Thesis Generator
Topic: Compare and contrast the different types of relation- ships humans have with nature. Include examples
from your own experience and the different texts we have read or viewed. After comparing and contrasting,
make a claim about what you feel are our rights and responsibilities to- ward the natural world in general.
Provide reasons and evidence to support your claim.
Example Thesis
1. Identify the subject of your
paper.
Relationships between teenagers and their parents.
2. Turn your subject into a guiding
question.
How does the relationship between teenagers and their parents change?
3. Answer your question with a
statement.
As teens grow more independent, they resent and resist the limitations
and expectations their parents impose on them.
4. Refine this statement into a
working thesis.
Conflict between teenagers and their parents is a difficult but necessary
stage in kids’ development.
Your Thesis
1. Identify the subject of your
paper.
2. Turn your subject into a guiding
question.
3. Answer your question with a
statement.
4. Refine this statement into a
working thesis.
1
Textual Evidence
Directions: Find quotes from the text to support your opinion/claim. Remember to cite
the quote correctly. At the end of each quote, include (author’s last name pg #). Example:
(Pullman 56). Explain what the quote means.
Essay Topic:
1. Source Title
2. Write the exact quote
for Textual Evidence
with (author’s last name
pg #).
3. Explain what the
quote means.
4. Explain how the
quote connects with
your essay topic.
2
Argumentative Essay Outline
Paragraph 1: Introduction
Hook: Grab the reader’s attention with a quote, scenario, question, vivid description, etc. Must be
related to your topic. (1-2 sentences)
Focus Sentence: Explain your hook and connect it to your thesis statement. (1-2 sentences)
Thesis statement: Simply and clearly state your position on the issue. (1 sentence)
2 arguments: Choose 2 arguments you can use to convince your reader of your position. Briefly state
these arguments here. (1-3 sentences)
Paragraph 2: Body A
Topic Sentence: Explain your 1st reason to support your thesis. (1-2 sentences)
Elaborate: Provide any necessary background information to support your 1st reason. (1-2 sentences)
Examples/Evidence: Provide specific examples or textual evidence/quotes for the text that support your
1st reason. (1-3 sentences)
Explain Example/Evidence: Explain how the examples and evidence connect to the topic and support
your 1st reason. (1-3 sentences)
Concluding Sentence: Explain why this 1st reason is important. (1-2 sentences)
3
Paragraph 3: Body B
Topic Sentence: Explain your 2nd reason to support your thesis. (1-2 sentences)
Elaborate: Provide any necessary background information to support your 2nd reason. (1-2 sentences)
Examples/Evidence: Provide specific examples or textual evidence/quotes for the text that support your
2nd reason. (1-3 sentences)
Explain Example/Evidence: Explain how the examples and evidence connect to the topic and support
your 2nd reason. (1-3 sentences)
Concluding Sentence: Explain why this 2nd reason is important. (1-2 sentences)
4
Paragraph 4: Body C
Opposing Viewpoint: Explain a possible counterargument to your thesis. (1-2 sentences)
Some people believe that ______
because________
Disagreement: Explain how you disagree with the counterclaim. (1-2 sentences)
I disagree because_____
Examples/Evidence: Provide specific examples or textual evidence/quotes for the text that support your
opinion. (1-3 sentences)
Explain Example/Evidence: Explain how the examples and evidence connect to the topic and support
your opinion. (1-3 sentences)
Concluding Sentence: Explain why this 2nd reason is important. (1-2 sentences)
5
Paragraph 5: Conclusion
Restate your Thesis Statement: Use different words to restate your thesis statement. (1-2 sentences)
2 Reasons: Review the reasons you used earlier in Body A and Body B and rewrite them using different
words. (1-3 sentences)
Explanation: Explain how the topic is important. (1-3 sentences)
Concluding Sentence: Provide advice or a solution to the problem. (1-2 sentences)
6
6-Traits of Writing Peer Review
Author Name:
Editor Name:
Essay Topic:
Point Score:
3 points = Demonstrated mastery
2 points = Made a good attempt
1 point = Made some attempt
0 points = Did not attempt
6-Traits of
Writing
Score
Reason
(Why did you give it the score you gave?)
Advice to change/improve
Score
(You must give positive
advice that is helpful)
Ideas &
Content
Organization
Sentence
Fluency
Word Choice
Voice
Conventions
7
Argumentative Essay Rubric
Objective
0 points
Did not
attempt
1 point
2 points
Made some Made a
attempt
good
attempt
3 points
Demonstrated
mastery
1. Began with an attention catcher / hook.
2. Stated a position and kept it.
3. Previewed three arguments in the introduction.
4. Developed one argument in the first body
paragraph.
5. Elaborated and explained that argument using
examples/textual evidence.
6. Developed one argument in the second body
paragraph.
7. Elaborated and explained that argument using
examples/textual evidence.
8. Developed a counterargument in the third body
paragraph.
9. Elaborated and explained your disagreement of the
counterargument using examples/textual evidence.
10. Reviewed your arguments in the conclusion.
11. Ended with a clinching statement.
12. Indented paragraphs.
13. Used Arial, Times New Roman, or Courier 12
point font.
14. Double-spaced the essay.
15. Used proper heading in the top left corner of the
document:
Full Name
English (grade)
Ms. Zahariades
Date
8
Total: _______________/45
9