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Lesson 2

For each of our claims and counterclaims, we will draft one or more paragraphs that present and explain the claim and then develop and support it by citing evidence from our research or other arguments.

Lesson Goals

  • Can I draft a set of claims and counterclaims in a sequence of paragraphs that clearly present, explain, and support the position with evidence, considering my purpose and audience?

Texts

There are no texts for this Lesson.

Materials

Tools

Reference Guides

Editable Google Docs

Activity 1: Discuss – Write

We will review and finalize our claims and counterclaims in light of the position paragraphs we have drafted.

Participate in a class discussion about unity and coherence in an argument, and how connections and transitions among ideas contribute to those desired characteristics.

Reread and review the sequence of claims and counterclaims you have previously developed, thinking about their relationship to your position paragraph.

Consider one or more of the arguments you have read, and think about how that argument has connected and unified its claims.

Revise claims and their sequence, thinking about connections and transitions among ideas and the overall unity and coherence of your argument.

Activity 2: Write

For each claim or counterclaim, we will write one or more paragraphs that present and explain the claim and develop and support it by citing evidence from our research.

Using your Organizing Evidence Tool as an outline, draft one or more paragraphs for each of the claims and counterclaims you will develop in your argument. For each claim, consider the following:

  • how you will explain what your claim means and how it connects to your issue and position

  • what information, examples, or statistics you will use and cite to support your claim

  • any quotations from other writers you want to integrate directly or paraphrase within your writing

Be sure to provide parenthetical citations for the sources and quotes you use.

Activity 3: Read – Discuss

Students will learn how to provide parenthetical citations for the sources of information and quotations they use.

Step 1

Individually, read through pages 1-3 of the Integrating Quotations Reference Guide and then respond to the following questions in a whole-class discussion.

  1. What are the two ways in which you can cite evidence in a sentence?

  2. Why is citing evidence important? How does it support your credibility as a writer?

  3. What is included in the parenthesis after you cite your evidence? What is that information linked to?

Step 2

Now, look through the rest of the reference guide. As you draft your body paragraphs for your argument, you will want to think strategically about how you want to present your evidence through either quoting or paraphrasing. It will be important to cite all your evidence with parenthetical citations no matter how you include the evidence. Use the Integrating Quotations Reference Guide for support.

Activity 4: Read – Write

Reread and revise your embedded evidence after reviewing the integrating quotations guide.

Review the Integrating Quotations Guide and discuss the different methods of embedding quotes.

Reread and revise your paragraph to add transitions as needed.

Activity 5: Read – Discuss

With an editing partner, we will read, review, and discuss our draft paragraphs, again considering our purpose and audience.

Review the writing criteria for the unit and the Culminating Task Checklist to get into clear focus what each of your paragraphs needs to accomplish.

Using those criteria as an organizer, engage in a peer review with a writing partner.

Activity 6: Write

We will complete the drafting process for the body of our arguments.

Based on feedback from your editing partner and your own reflection on the criteria for the Culminating Task, revise the body paragraphs of your argument, including the paragraph that presents and explains your position.