Writing Across the Curriculum2014-2015 DPS INITIATIVE

DPS has implemented a writing calendar for the school year where each month, all teachers will be expected to incorporate a writing focus into their classes. For October, it is argumentative writing.

Text Types and PurposesFocus #1:Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts using valid reasoning andrelevant and sufficient evidence.

Text Types and PurposesFocus #1:Write ARGUMENTS to support CLAIMS in an analysis of substantive topics or texts using valid reasoning andrelevant and sufficient evidence.

What is an Argument?• A claim supported by evidence.

What is an Argument?• A claim supported by evidence.• A reasoned, logical way of demonstrating that the writer’sposition, belief or conclusion is valid.

What is an Argument?• A claim supported by evidence.• A reasoned, logical way of demonstrating that the writer’sposition, belief or conclusion is valid.

• Has many purposes—typically to change the reader’s point of view, or to bring about action on the reader’s part.

What is a Claim?• A claim is the main argument of an

essay. It focuses on a specific argument rather than a general one.

A claim that is too general:The Wire was a good television show.

A claim that is focused:The Wire was the most underrated television show of the 2000s.

What’s the difference between Opinion vs. Argument?• Opinion is used in the Common Core

ELA standards from grades K-5. At the 2nd grade, students are required to provide reasons for their opinion.

What’s the difference between Opinion vs. Argument?• Argument is used in the Common Core

ELA standards from grades 6-12. By 6th grade, their reasons have to be clear and relevant.

6th grade argumentative writing expectations:Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence. a. Introduce claim(s) and organize the reasons and evidence clearly. b. Support claim(s) with clearreasons and relevant evidence, using credible sources and demonstrating an understanding of the topic or text. c. Use words, phrases, and clauses to clarify therelationships among claim(s) and reasons. d. Establish and maintain a formal style. e. Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from the argument.

What’s the difference between Opinion vs. Argument?• By 9th grade, students are additionally

expected to acknowledge opposing points of view and use refutation to shoot down the counterargument.

11th – 12th grade argumentative writing expectations:Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence. a. Introduce precise knowledgeableclaim(s), establish the significance of the claim(s), distinguish from alternate or opposing claims, and create an organization that logically sequences claim(s), counterclaims, reasons and evidence. b. Develop claim(s) and counterclaims fairly and thoroughly, supplying the most relevant evidence for each while pointing out the strengths and limitations of both in a manner that anticipates the audience’s knowledge level, concerns,values, and possible biases. c. Use words, phrases, and clauses as well as varied syntax to link the major sections of the text, create cohesion and clarify the relationships between claim(s) and reasons , between reasons and evidence, and between claims and counterclaims. d. Establish and maintain a formal style and objective tone while attending to the norms and conventions of the discipline in which they are writing. e. Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the argument presented.

This will be easier than you might think. First, there are opportunities to promote argumentative thinking all around us in

the hallways and classrooms.

“Lebron James was smart to leave Miami after last season.”

“Lebron James was smart to

leave Miami after last season!”

“What makes you say that?”

There’s no need to reinvent the wheel to change argumentative thinking into argumentative writing…

“Lebron James was smart to

leave Miami after last season!”

“What makes you say that?”

“Write down three reasons to support your opinion on that and explain how they do.”

“Lebron James was smart to

leave Miami after last season!”

“What makes you say that?”“Write down three reasons to support your opinion on that.”

“Respond to someone who would say that he was foolish to leave for Cleveland because he only won two titles in Miami and had the chance to win more.”

Expected outcomes:By November 21, all students will have an argumentative piece from EACH of their

classes in their portfolio.

Expected outcomes:For English classes: A five-paragraph

argumentative essay on the topic of your choices that is graded using the 4-point

Argumentative Writing Rubric.

Any questions, comments or concerns?