Teaching informational and argument writing is important, but teaching students to properly write an effective argument can be difficult. Trying to balance this important skill along with teaching other forms of writing is also a balancing act.
Read how other middle and high school teachers are teaching informational and argument writing in their classes. These ideas were shared in a #2ndaryELA Twitter chat.
Effective Ideas For Teaching Informational and Argument Writing
Q1: How do you teach the difference between informational and argument writing?
- I use the essay format for argument writing and then informational writing they have other output choices. i.e. infographic
- I start with a Venn Diagram
- I usually teach argument first. Ss must support their belief w/evidence from the text. Then I do informational = all objective. Students always want to give an opinion so I find it easier to teach argument 1st, then work on just presenting facts
- We’re required to teach informational 1st- then when I show argument writing, it’s a few turns of the proverbial screwdriver
- I teach argumentative first as well. We use graphic organizers and exemplar essays.
- I haven’t explicitly taught the differences. Usually, arguments are letters and essays, but info means research and presentation. Information writing aims to give the reader information. Argument aims to convince the reader you’re right.
Q2: What are your students’ favorite assignments for either or both?
- Anything involving food for informative and history’s mysteries for argument.
- I teach History & ELA so I like to utilize cross-curricular writing for informative writing.
- After Reading The Lady or The Tiger, writing about the fairness of our own justice system (Common Core Writing: Argument Writing)
- Like the mystery behind the statues on Easter Island or the purpose of Stonehenge…
- Food for informative because part of our research involves eating!
- Each year I create a different PBL related to argument. Last year it was a space debate!
- The BEST argument assignment I’ve done was an editorial based on a #DoNow prompt from @KQED. Students gave me their best writing! For informational, I let students choose a topic to learn more about during our Holocaust unit.
- My students enjoy class debates for argument. They also tend to like procedural texts.
Q3: What are students’ struggles with informational and argument writing?
- Students have difficulties with the format of argument writing and supporting their claims with solid evidence.
- In 6th and even 7th they struggle with organization at first. Then with the commentary. They like to repeat themselves.
- For argument, coming up with reasons to support their belief then supporting reasons with appropriate text evidence. For informational, it’s keeping their writing entirely objective.
- My students often struggle with supporting their points, effectively elaborating, and coming up with valid arguments.
Q4: How do you address these struggles with informational and argument writing?
- To practice matching a belief, supporting reasons & evidence, I’ll create an outline where students just have to fill in evidence.
- I provide structured examples/models for students to work with, as well as co-created examples.
- For commentary (elab), I have them answer these two questions: Why is this important? How does this support/prove the point? Then I’ll do another outline where the main argument is there and the evidence, but students have to fill in the reasons.
- For organization (structure), I teach them a mnemonic system I created.
- I’ve also created an outline of a mentor text, cut up the outline, then have students try to organize the ideas.
- Mentor texts, modelling, and scaffolding with tools like CAFE SQuIDD.
- I have found that writing conferences are the best way to address individualized student needs.
Q5: Share tips for getting students to avoid plagiarism and use proper citation in informational and argument writing.
- I tell them the story of Kaavya Viswanathan who plagiarized a novel and was busted back in the early 2000s – Students love a scandal! Then I show them how not to be like her…use quotes & give the source!
- I try to get them using EasyBib.
- I use Google Docs, which has version history.
- We use Turnitin. It checks for plagiarism. Kids can also check to make sure they paraphrased correctly.
Complete Argument Writing Unit
Teaching informational and argument writing has never been easier. This comprehensive Argumentative Essay Writing Unit incorporates scaffolded instruction, making it easy to use and engage students in learning. Differentiation is emphasized throughout, ensuring students can grasp the concepts effectively. Using the gradual release model (I Do, We Do/You Do), teachers will guide students through each step, from understanding the fundamentals to independently crafting a well-structured argumentative essay.
This writing unit also includes a fun and relevant Rant Writing Unit that will introduce your students to the topic and captivate their attention. It includes videos of rants and encourages students to create and present their own. The unit also includes helpful examples for all topics and engaging and interesting student activities and aligns with Grade 6, 7, and 8 Common Core and Ontario Curriculum Standards.
This resource includes:
- 18 Comprehensive Lessons
- Easy to Use Material
- Graphic Organizers
- Scaffolded Instruction
- Differentiated Learning
- PDF and Google Slides versions
Here’s what teachers have said about this lesson:
“I enjoy using this resource as it is a huge time saver when planning!” – Ontario EdVentures
“Students do well at sharing their opinions and demanding others listen to them, but they do not do well at supporting their thoughts with evidence. This unit helps students to use evidence to support their thoughts, cite appropriately, and complete the requirements of an argumentative essay.” – Heather F.
You can find the Argumentative Essay Writing Unit on Shopify CAD or Teachers Pay Teachers USD.
Find more ideas on writing in middle school:
Related Posts
