Team Polaris
American History
Name ________________
Date _________________
The American Revolution
Argumentative Writing Assignment
Prompt: There are many reasons why America won the American Revolution and
successfully gained their independence. In your opinion, what are the two most
important reasons the Americans won the war? Be sure to give two reasons the
Americans won the war and one counter argument to your claim.
Sample Claim: The Americans won the American Revolution because of their
knowledge of geography and foreign help.
Sample Counter Argument: Some people would say the Americans won the war
because of the weaknesses of the British.
Due Dates:
 Graphic Organizer due
Tuesday, 12/8
 Rough draft due
Friday, 12/11
 Final copy due
Tuesday, 12/15
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1
Your CREATIVE Title: __________________________________________
This opening paragraph should gain your reader’s interest and identify the claim you plan to develop.
Grabber:
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Three Sentence Summary on the Background of the Revolution:
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Claim: Identify the two reasons you believe are the most important to America winning the war.
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Good Transition Starters:
 First
 One important
 Most importantly

A significant

Of greatest significant
This supporting paragraph should present the first reason supporting your claim.
Topic Sentence:
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Explanation of reason:
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How this reason helped the Americans win the war:
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Concluding Sentence:
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2
Good Transition Starters:
 Second
 Equally important
 Additionally
 Most important


Another significant
Of greatest significant


Next
Last
This supporting paragraph should present the second reason supporting your claim.
Topic Sentence:
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Explanation of reason:
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How this reason helped the Americans win the war:
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Concluding Sentence:
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This paragraph should present the counter argument and your rebuttal to this argument.
Opposition Reason (Transition Sentence):
“Some people would say…”
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Explanation of opposition reason:
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Why those who disagree with you are wrong:
(Counter argument transition + counter argument)
Good Counter Argument Transitions:
 However
 On the contrary

Nevertheless

On the other hand
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Concluding Sentence:
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3
Conclusion Transitions:
 All in all
 Finally
 In short
 In summary
 As you can see
 Clearly


In closing
The logical
conclusion is


In conclusion
To conclude
This concluding paragraph should restate the claim, tie the main points in the essay together,
and leave the reader with something to think about.
Restated Claim:
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Summary of argument:
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Zinger: ___________________________________________________________
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Essay Score Sheet
Content
CounterArgument
Organization
Conventions
4
substantial,
specific, and/or
illustrative content
demonstrating
strong
development and
sophisticated ideas
counter argument
is clearly identified
and specifically
explained with
strong explanation
of why argument is
wrong
sophisticated
arrangement of
content with
evident and/or
subtle transitions
evident control of
grammar,
mechanics,
spelling, usage and
sentence formation
Score/Grade ______
1
Score
3
2
sufficiently
developed
content with
adequate
elaboration or
explanation
limited content
with inadequate
elaboration or
explanation
superficial
and/or
minimal
content
counter argument
is identified and
explained with
explanation of
why argument is
wrong
counter
argument is
identified with
mention of
argument being
wrong
counter
argument is
identified
____
functional
arrangement of
content that
sustains logical
order with some
evidence of
transitions
confused or
inconsistent
arrangement of
content with or
without
attempts at
transitions
minimal
control of
content
____
sufficient control
of grammar,
mechanics,
spelling, usage
and sentence
formation
limited control
of grammar,
mechanics,
spelling, usage
and sentence
formation
minimal
control of
grammar,
mechanics,
spelling, usage
and sentence
formation
____
Scale: 20=A+ 19=A 18=A- 17=B+ 16=B 15=B- 14=C+ 13=C 12=C- 11=D+ 10=D 9=D-
Strengths:
____
X2
____
8<=F
Suggestions:
4