thesis

ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY

STEP 1: Unpacking the Prompt

LOOKING FOR THE VERBS AND NOUN PHRASES THAT HELP US UNDERSTAND WHAT ARE ESSAY SHOULD BE ABOUT

Multiple Select

The novel Holes has many underlying themes. One of the themes that the reader can follow throughout the novel is the theme of destiny. Write an essay explaining how destiny played a part in Stanley's life. Support your answer with evidence from the text.

Unpack the writing prompt above and select all the verbs will help you determine your purpose for writing the essay.

• explaining

• write

• follow

• support

STEP 2: RE STATING YOUR PURPOSE

AFTER UNPACKING THE PROMPT WE CAN EASILY IDENTIFY OUR PURPOSE FOR READING AND WRITING

Multiple Choice

Sports are a great way to stay fit and get outdoors. Think of a sport that you enjoy playing. Write an essay explaing how to play your sport. In your explination, be sure to include any rules or equipment that may be needed to play.

Which purpose statement is the correct purpose statement for this writing prompt?

• I am going to write an essay arguing which sport is most enjoyable to play.

• I am going to write an essay explaining how to play a sport that I will chose.

• I am going to write an essay explaing howmuch I enjoy playing basketball

• I am going to write an essay informing the reader about how sports keep people fit.

STEP 3: COLLECTING EVIDENCE

I WILL USE THE TEXT TOCOLLECT EVIDENCE THAT WILL SUPPORT MY PURPOSE FOR READING

COLLECTING EVIDENCE FOR AN ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY

IN AN ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY WE ALWAYS COLLECT EVIDENCE FOR BOTH CLAIMS. FOR EXAMPLE IF WE ARE WRITING AN ESSAY ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT SCHOOLS SHOULD ALLOW GUM CHEWING, WE WILL FIND EVIDENCE THAT SUPPORTS THE CLAIM THAT GUM SHOULD BE ALLOWED IN SCHOOL AND EVIDENCE THAT SUPPORTS THE CLAIM THAT GUM SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED IN SCHOOL.

THIS HELPS US WRITE OUR ESSAY ON THE CLAIM WITH THE STRONGETS AND MOST EVIDENCE.

PICK A SIDE!

LOOK AT YOUR EVIDENCE AND PICK THE CLAIM YOU WILL WRITE ABOUT, YOU MUST CHOSE A SIDE WHEN WRITING AN ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY.

SORT YOUR EVIDENCE INTO CATEGORIES

Look at the evidence you have highlighted for the claim you chose.

Do they have anything in common?

USE THE CATEGORIES TO CREATE A STRONG THESIS STATEMENT

Multiple Choice

Meadow Woods Middle School has banned students from getting water from the water fountains in the cafeteria outside of lunch hours. Write an essay arguing why the water fountain should be available to students throughout the day.

Which would be the strongest thesis statement for this writing prompt?

• This essay will explain exactly why the water fountain should be available to students throughout the day

• The water fountain should be avaiable to studnets throughout the day.

• Being dehydrated, impacts a child's ability to learn and exactly why water bottles need to be sold at Meadow Woods Middle School

• Dehydration impacts a child's ability to the learn and is just one of the many reasons why the water fountain should be avaible to students throughout the day.

STEP 4: LET'S WRITE A STRONG THESIS STATEMENT!