Pros and Cons Essay Elements

​Mastering Argumentative Writing

Week 8 Lesson

Writing a Pros and Cons Essay

Match

Match the following:

• "School start times should be later"

• "CDC research shows…"

• "Teen sleep cycles naturally shift later"

• "85% of students report better focus"

• "This would improve academic performance"

Claim

Evidence

Fact

Support

Reasoning

• Claim

• Evidence

• Fact

• Support

• Reasoning

Open Ended

What is one controversial topic that you would be excited to argue about?

Example: Should plastic bags be banned?

Addresses both sides of an argument (pros and cons)

Your goals are to convince, persuade, and inform your reader

A type of writing that presents a clear position (claim) on a topic

You support your claim with evidence and reasoning

What is Argumentative Writing?

Drag and Drop

Which of the following statements are claims? The other statements are pieces of evidence. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Placeholder

​

Placeholder

Drag these tiles and drop them in the correct blank above

"Social media is harmful to teenagers"

"Homework should be banned"

"Studies show teens spend 7+ hours daily online"

"Research indicates sleep deprivation in students"

"78% of students report stress from homework"

Information that proves your claim.

Example: "Studies show that 70% of students feel overwhelmed."

Evidence

Your main argument or position on a topic

Example: Homework should be eliminated."

Claim

Key Terms in Argumentative Writing

Additional details that strengthen your argument.


Example: "Research from Harvard Education confirms ..."

Support

Verifiable data and information from reliable sources.

Example: Students spend an average of 3.5 hours on homework daily

Facts

Key Terms in Argumentative Writing

Additional details that strengthen your argument.


Example: "Research from Harvard Education confirms ..."

The logical connection between your claim and evidence.

Example: Since lack of sleep affects learning, less homework would improve grades.

Reasoning

Key Terms in Argumentative Writing

Match

Sort the following into the correct category:

• "School start times should be later"

• "CDC research shows..."

• "Teen sleep cycles naturally shift later

• "85% of students report better focus"

• "This would improve academic performance

Claim

Evidence

Fact

Support

Reasoning

• Claim

• Evidence

• Fact

• Support

• Reasoning

You present the topic clearly with a hook.

Introduction:

Pros and Cons Essay Structure

Pros Paragraph

​→

You support your main idea with a central claim. You do so with strong evidence, relevant examples, and logical reasoning.

You write about the other perspective side by acknowledging their point of view of your main idea.

Cons Paragraph:

Pros and Cons Essay Structure

Conclusion:

​→

You write a balanced summary reviewing your central claim you make for your main idea.

Poll

Which element do you find the most challenging?

• Making strong claims

• Finding evidence

• Explaining reasoning

• Connecting ideas

Open Ended

What are your thoughts about about our essential question: When is it right to take a stand?

I don't know is not an answer 😉