Research-Based Argument Essay

Establishing and Supporting Positions:

Investigating to Understand an ArgumentSession 1

The TaskO We got an email from Ms. Little:

Greetings Class of 2014,I would like to get your feedback on whether or not our cafeteria should serve chocolate milk. Please write me a letter and share why we should or why we should not, serve chocolate milk at school. I look forward to reading your letters.Shine on South Hill Shining Stars,Ms. Little

What do you think?O Turn and talk: Should the café serve

chocolate milk?O Your opinions should be based on

more than your personal reaction. Opinions need to grow from consideration of evidence.

“Suspend judgement”Your first thoughts are a starting point.

Learning TargetO I will compose an

argument by collecting evidence that allows me to think through the various sides of the argument.

Gathering notes from both sides of argument

For Chocolate Milk in Schools

Against Chocolate Milk in Schools

Nutrition in Disguise: What the Midwest Dairy Council Has to Say

About Chocolate Milk

If you secretly love chocolate milk, you’re in for some happy news. Recently, the Midwest Dairy Association released an infomercial that argues chocolate milk is, according to nutritionist Melissa Dobbins, “nutrition in disguise.”

In the infomercial, Ms. Dobbins, who introduces herself as a nutritionist for the Dairy Association and a mom, brings along three young friends to help her demonstrate that chocolate milk is a healthy part of a young person’s diet. As Ms. Dobbins puts it, “the fact is, that chocolate and other flavored milks have the same 9 essential nutrients as white milk, and a small amount of added sugar compared to other beverages. Best of all, because they lovethe taste, some kids drink more milk when it’s flavored.”

You only have to watch kids in the lunch line to see the truth of what Ms.Dobbins says. Given a choice, almost any child will choose chocolate milkover white. “We serve six or seven cartons of chocolate for each one ofwhite milk at lunch,” says Mrs. Rally, a server in a local elementary school cafeteria.“In fact, it’s pretty much only with breakfast cereal that any kid wouldchoose white milk.”What’s the attraction of chocolate milk? Well, if you haven’t had any forawhile, give it a try. You’ll have to admit that the creamy, smooth, chocolatytaste is truly delicious. But is it good for you? Ms. Dobbins says… yes. “Researchshows that children who drink flavored milk meet more of their nutrientneeds, do not consume more added sugar, fat, and calories, and are notheavier than non milk drinkers,” says Ms. Dobbins.

Process for notetakingO Take in information from textO Think about which side it goes onO Write info in the correct side of

argument

O Not yet sure of positionO Evidence from text can help decide,

even if I have a good idea about what I think

O Keep an open mind

Chocolate Milk: More Harmful than HealthfulSchools around the world serve chocolate milk—and kids love it. On a recent Australian newscast, investigative reporter Chloe Baker interviewed children about chocolate milk. “The only time I get chocolate milk is when I go to school only,” one youngster told Ms. Baker, as her friends nodded. In fact, many children only get to have chocolate milk at school—but they get to drink a lot of it there. Some children consume as many as 10 or even 15 cartons of chocolate milk in a week at school. Baker noted that “it’s an out of-control problem.”

Chocolate milk has a sky-high sugar content. One tiny carton of chocolate milk has approximately 30 grams of sugar. That is more than a can of soda—and you wouldn’t see schools giving kids Coke. In fact, according to the Coca-Cola company, a mini-can, which contains 7.5 fluid ounces of soda, has only 25 grams of sugar. Thus, a small container of chocolate milk has approximately 20% more sugar than soda.

Argument writers collect information by suspending their

judgment and gathering evidence on BOTH sides.

O Work time:O Use articles in folders or computers to

read articles or watch videos with both sides of argument

O Take notesO On Thursday we will each do a ‘fast

draft’ of an answer for Ms. Little

Mid-Workshop PointO The source for your information

matters!

O Note the Bibliographic information – (which article the fact or idea came from)

Review Your WorkOReview the evidence you

have gathered

OMark the pieces of evidence that are especially convincing to you and why (flag Post-its)

Taking an Initial Position

O Decide (for now – you still have more research to do) based on evidence :

O Does the evidence suggest that schools should serve chocolate milk or not?

O Share your position AND the evidence that convinced you with your partner

HOMEWORKO Tonight, tomorrow and Wednesday:O Read an article or watch a video or

look at a website to take further notes (There are links on our website, or use the paper copies from class)

Read at least one article about chocolate milk that argues the opposite of what you believe and take notes.Be an open-minded listener. You may even change your position