Best-of-Smekens Writing Conference:
Writing Remix 2019
SECRET SITE
Modes & Genres
SESSION 1
Meet the Argumentative Writing Standard
Opinion Scale | Persuasive Scale | Argumentative Scale
Collect details for all perspectives
Identify details, facts, pros/cons, strengths/weaknesses, etc. for all sides.
Eventually, reveal multiple perspectives within informational texts. The Perspectives Flipbook series offers two major positions on historical events and hot topics.
Several websites offer excellent informative text that reveals hot topics, current trends, and kid-friendly issues.
Infer a commercial’s claim
Choose a position in 4 steps
Teach students to first chart the perspectives before choosing a position.
Review this video clip explaining the four steps to align with the strongest position, not personal opinion.
List many good reasons
Collect details to infer reasons
Teach students how to collect, cut, group, and rank their details. Download a list of statements for/pro and against/con genetic engineering.
Observe a 30-minute lesson and activity executed in a Concord Junior High science class.
Order reasons for maximum effect
Present both sides
A more sophisticated organization is the They say… I say… rhythm. This organization creates an interior debate where the writer juggles both perspectives throughout the body. (Taylor Swift’s letter to Apple demonstrates this organization.)
Clinch it with a clever statement
Download student writing samples with strong introductions and conclusions
- Dear Ms. Talish (Persuasive)
- Dear Peter Rabbit (Opinion/Lit Response)
- Dear Santa (Persuasive)
- Fishing is Fun (Opinion)
- Dear Lost-and-Found Department (Persuasive)
- Little Red Hen (Opinion/Lit Response)
- Nail Polish (Opinion)
- Dear Principal Hobbs (Persuasive)
- Chocolate Milk (Persuasive)
- Dear Litterers (Persuasive)
- Talk Card (Persuasive)
- Camp Letter (Persuasive)
- Library Checkout Rule (Persuasive)
- Odd Jobs (Persuasive)
- Teacher Made a Difference (Persuasive)
- Story of Survival (Opinion/Lit Response)
- Wow! I am Glad We Have Zoos! (Persuasive)
- Global Warning (Argumentative)
- Babysitting (Argumentative)
- Dick’s Sporting Goods letter (Persuasive Letter) ABC News Brief
- League of Nations (Argumentative Speech)
- Shut Down Your Screen (Argumentative Letter)
- Chocolate Milk (Argumentative)
- Do Not Shut Down Your Screen (Argumentative Letter)
- The True Meaning of Friendship (Argument/Lit Response)
- Smoking Ban (Argumentative Research)
- The Day Dreamers (Argumentative Research)
- Puerto Rico Walks Away from Commonwealth (Argument)