Argument, Informative & Research Writing
Aligned to W.8.1 — Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts.
What this lesson teaches
A strong argument clearly distinguishes your claim from the opposing counterclaim and organizes both logically. You support your points with credible, cited sources and avoid plagiarism by paraphrasing and quoting properly.
Worked examples
Example 1
Claim: 'Schools should start later.' Counterclaim: 'Some say it disrupts schedules.' You answer it: 'But studies show later starts improve grades,' citing the source.
Example 2
Claim: 'Our district should fund a late bus.' Counterclaim: 'It is expensive.' Answer: the cost per student is lower than the tutoring it replaces, and cite the figure.
Example 3
Answering a counterclaim with 'but that is not true' is not answering it. You need a reason the objection does not decide the question.
Practice questions
- State a claim and a counterclaim on one issue.
- Support a claim with one cited, credible source.
- Organize an essay so claim and counterclaim are clearly separated.
Watch the lesson
Every lesson comes with a video taught in English and Spanish — the same video the QR code in the printed workbook opens.
▶ Watch this lessonEn español
Escritura argumentativa, informativa e investigación
Un argumento sólido distingue claramente tu postura de la postura contraria y organiza ambas de manera lógica. Apoyas tus puntos con fuentes confiables y citadas, y evitas el plagio parafraseando y citando correctamente.
Ejemplo 1: Postura: 'Las escuelas deberían comenzar más tarde.' Contraargumento: 'Algunos dicen que esto altera los horarios.' Tú respondes: 'Pero los estudios demuestran que comenzar más tarde mejora las calificaciones,' citando la fuente.
Ejemplo 2: Afirmación: 'Nuestro distrito debería pagar un autobús tardío.' Contraargumento: 'Es caro.' Respuesta: el costo por estudiante es menor que la tutoría que reemplaza, y cita la cifra.
Ejemplo 3: Responder a un contraargumento con 'pero eso no es cierto' no es responderlo. Necesitas una razón por la que la objeción no decide la cuestión.
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