Opinionated Authors: Students Publish Argumentative Articles
Inquiry Framework
Question Framework
Driving Question
The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we, as opinionated authors, create persuasive and well-structured argumentative articles for our class newspaper that effectively utilize credible sources, logical reasoning, and maintain a formal style?Essential Questions
Supporting questions that break down major concepts.- What is an argument and how is it structured?
- How can we effectively support our opinion with logical reasoning and relevant evidence?
- What makes a source credible and why is it important to use credible sources in an argument?
- How do words, phrases, and clauses help clarify relationships in an argument?
- Why is maintaining a formal style important in argumentative writing?
- How can we write a strong concluding statement that reinforces our argument?
Standards & Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this project, students will be able to:- Students will be able to write clear and coherent argumentative articles that support claims with logical reasoning and relevant evidence.
- Students will be able to identify and use credible sources in their argumentative writing.
- Students will understand how to structure an argumentative article by introducing claims, providing evidence, and concluding effectively.
- Students will learn to use words, phrases, and clauses to clarify their arguments and maintain coherence in their writing.
- Students will develop the ability to maintain a formal writing style throughout their articles.
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts (ELA)
Entry Events
Events that will be used to introduce the project to studentsBreaking News Simulation
Students are thrust into a simulated newsroom environment where a mysterious current event is unfolding. They must quickly research, form opinions, and draft preliminary articles, engaging their curiosity about the role of journalists and the immediate impact of their words.Portfolio Activities
Portfolio Activities
These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.Claim & Brainstorm Blast
Students initiate their writing process by brainstorming and crafting clear, coherent claims. This will set the foundation for their argumentative articles.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA well-defined, preliminary claim about a chosen topic.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.1.A by helping students introduce and organize claims clearly.Research Rally
Students conduct research to find and gather relevant evidence and credible sources supporting their claims, building the backbone of their arguments.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA research portfolio containing organized evidence and cited credible sources.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsSupports CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.1.B by focusing on credible sources and relevant evidence for argumentative writing.Connective Clause Clinic
In this activity, students focus on enhancing their writing by using words, phrases, and clauses to clearly connect their claims and evidence.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA revised draft of the article demonstrating clear connections between claims and evidence using connective clauses.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligned with CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.1.C by teaching students to clarify the relationship between claims and reasons.Formal Flair Workshop
Students refine their writing style to maintain a formal tone throughout their articles, a critical element in argumentative writing.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityAn article draft showcasing a maintained formal style throughout the text.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsMeets the standard CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.1.D by focusing on establishing a formal writing style.Conclusive Conclusion Lab
In this final step, students craft polished concluding statements to effectively reinforce their arguments and wrap up their articles.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA polished concluding statement that reinforces the argument presented in the article.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsFulfills CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.1.E by guiding students to write strong conclusions.Rubric & Reflection
Portfolio Rubric
Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolioOpinionated Authors: Argumentative Writing Rubric
Claim Development
Measures the clarity and strength of the initial claim and how well it's introduced and organized in the article.Clarity of Claim
Evaluates how clearly the main claim is stated and its strength in taking a clear stance.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe claim is stated clearly and takes a sophisticated stance, demonstrating deep understanding of the topic.
Proficient
3 PointsThe claim is clear and takes a definite stance, showing a good understanding of the topic.
Developing
2 PointsThe claim is somewhat clear but lacks a strong stance or clear understanding of the topic.
Beginning
1 PointsThe claim is unclear and lacks a definitive stance or understanding of the topic.
Organization of Claim
Assesses how well the claim is organized within the context of the article, setting up the argument effectively.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe claim is excellently organized with a structure that sets up the argument in a highly logical and engaging manner.
Proficient
3 PointsThe claim is well-organized and sets up the argument effectively within the article.
Developing
2 PointsThe claim is organized but lacks logical flow or coherence within the article.
Beginning
1 PointsThe organization of the claim is confusing and does not effectively set up the argument.
Use of Evidence
Measures how well students select and integrate credible sources and relevant evidence to support their claims.Selection of Evidence
Evaluates the choice and relevance of sources used to support the claim.
Exemplary
4 PointsEvidence is expertly chosen, consistently relevant, and from credible sources.
Proficient
3 PointsEvidence is well chosen, relevant, and mostly from credible sources.
Developing
2 PointsEvidence is chosen with some relevance but includes some less credible sources.
Beginning
1 PointsEvidence is poorly chosen, often irrelevant, or from non-credible sources.
Integration of Evidence
Assesses how effectively evidence is integrated into the argument to support the claim.
Exemplary
4 PointsEvidence is seamlessly integrated into the argument, enhancing clarity and persuasiveness.
Proficient
3 PointsEvidence is integrated well and supports the argument effectively.
Developing
2 PointsEvidence is integrated with some connection to the argument but lacks clear cohesion.
Beginning
1 PointsEvidence integration is weak and fails to support the claim effectively.
Coherence and Style
Evaluates the clarity and flow of writing through the use of connectives, formal style, and overall cohesion.Use of Connectives
Measures the ability to use words, phrases, and clauses to clarify relationships among claims and evidence.
Exemplary
4 PointsConnectives are used expertly to clarify complex relationships, enhancing the flow and clarity of the argument.
Proficient
3 PointsConnectives are used effectively to clarify relationships and maintain flow throughout the argument.
Developing
2 PointsConnectives are used inconsistently, somewhat clarifying relationships and maintaining flow.
Beginning
1 PointsConnectives are rarely used or improperly used, affecting flow and clarity.
Formal Style
Assesses the maintenance of a formal writing style in argumentative writing.
Exemplary
4 PointsA consistently formal writing style is maintained throughout, appropriate to the audience and purpose.
Proficient
3 PointsA formal writing style is maintained well throughout most of the article.
Developing
2 PointsA formal style is inconsistently maintained, with some lapses into informal writing.
Beginning
1 PointsA formal style is seldom used, with frequent lapses into informal writing.
Cohesion and Flow
Evaluates the overall cohesiveness and fluidity of the article, ensuring it reads logically and smoothly.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe article is highly cohesive with excellent flow, leading the reader seamlessly through the argument.
Proficient
3 PointsThe article is cohesive, generally flowing well from one idea to the next.
Developing
2 PointsThe article shows some cohesion, but the flow between ideas is often disrupted.
Beginning
1 PointsThe article lacks cohesion, with a disjointed flow that confuses the reader.
Conclusion
Assesses the strength and effectiveness of the concluding statement in reinforcing the argument.Strength of Conclusion
Evaluates how well the conclusion reinforces the argument and provides closure.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe conclusion is compelling, clearly reinforcing the argument and providing strong closure.
Proficient
3 PointsThe conclusion effectively reinforces the argument and provides closure.
Developing
2 PointsThe conclusion somewhat reinforces the argument but lacks a strong closure.
Beginning
1 PointsThe conclusion does not reinforce the argument and provides little closure.