28. Middle School Argument Writing: Stop Doing This One Thing and Do This Instead

Annotated ELA

Have you ever made the mistake of jumping straight into writing with your students without proper preparation?

In this episode we explore effective strategies to prepare middle school students for argument writing. In this episode, we'll dive into a series of activities designed to lay a strong foundation and help students find their voice as writers before delving into the world of argumentative writing.

Discover how "Argument Writing Activities Middle School" can equip your students for success. From analyzing mentor texts to informal debates and eventually diving into more formal debates, each step of this process is carefully crafted to enhance writing skills.

Mentor texts play a crucial role in shaping the path to effective argument writing. They serve as exemplary models to evaluate different aspects of writing.

The journey doesn't stop at analyzing mentor texts. The podcast delves into the power of casual debates in building students' confidence. These low-stakes debates allow students to express their opinions, make claims, and explore various reasons without the need for extensive research.

As students become more comfortable with making claims, they transition into a more formal debate setting. The podcast walks you through the process of providing topics, conducting research, and ultimately drafting structured arguments supported by evidence from texts.

We'll also introduce the "Philosophical Chairs" activity, where students engage in verbal discussions with a structured written framework to support their claims. This activity serves as a bridge between informal and formal arguments.

With the foundation firmly in place, it's time to introduce the argument writing assignment. Students are now well-prepared to tackle the writing process with confidence, using the skills and knowledge they've acquired through these activities.

If you're a middle school teacher looking for a casual way to engage your students in making claims and practicing argument writing skills, don't forget to grab the free "Which One? Bell Ringers" resource mentioned in the podcast. It's a valuable tool to kickstart the journey to strong argumentative writing skills.

Tune in to this podcast and discover how to prepare your middle school students for success in argument writing through a structured and engaging approach. Your students will thank you for it, and you'll see the results in their writing skills!

Show notes: annotatedela.com/episode28

Grab the free resource Which One? Bell Ringers

Want more support on tracing arguments? Grab the Trace an Argument Middle School resource

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