Argumentative Essay: Narrow Your Research Topic

Learning Resource Type

Classroom Resource

Subject Area

English Language Arts

Grade(s)

6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

Overview

A strong argumentative essay starts with a clear and concise topic that you care about and can research. Get tips for forming and developing an argument that will hook your audience and set the platform for a convincing essay.

This tool will assist students in selecting and narrowing a topic.

English Language Arts (2021) Grade(s): 6

ELA21.6.7

Produce clear, coherent narrative, argument, and informative/explanatory writing in which the development, organization, style, and tone are relevant to task, purpose, and audience, using an appropriate command of language.

UP:ELA21.6.7

Vocabulary

  • Narrative writing
  • Argument writing
  • Informative/explanatory writing
  • Writing development
  • Writing organization
  • Style
  • Tone
  • Task
  • Purpose
  • Audience
  • Command of language

Knowledge

Students know:
  • A narrative is a piece of writing that tells a story.
  • Informative or explanatory text is a piece of writing that provides factual information that was gathered from multiple research sources.
  • The purpose of argumentative writing is to convince the reader to take action or adopt a particular position.
  • The development, organization, style, and tone of writing will change depending on the writing task, the purpose of the writing, and the intended audience.
  • Formal academic writing should demonstrate an appropriate command of language.

    Skills

    Students are able to:
    • Produce clear, coherent narrative, argument, and informative/explanatory writings.
    • Identify the writing task, the purpose of writing, and the intended audience in order to appropriately adapt the development, organization, style, and tone of the writing.
    • Demonstrate command of the written language.

    Understanding

    Students understand that:
    • There are different genres of writing that serve various purposes.
    • The writing task, purpose, and audience should be considered in the development, organization, style, and tone of the writing.
    • Formal academic writing should display their command of the English language.
    English Language Arts (2021) Grade(s): 7

    ELA21.7.7

    Produce clear, coherent narrative, argument, and informative/explanatory writing in which the development, organization, style, and tone are relevant to task, purpose, and audience, using an appropriate command of language.

    UP:ELA21.7.7

    Vocabulary

    • Narrative writing
    • Argument writing
    • Informative/explanatory writing
    • Writing development
    • Writing organization
    • Style
    • Tone
    • Task
    • Purpose
    • Audience
    • Command of language

    Knowledge

    Students know:
    • A narrative is a piece of writing that tells a story.
    • The purpose of argumentative writing is to convince the reader to take action or adopt a particular position.
    • Informative or explanatory text is a piece of writing that provides factual information that was gathered from multiple research sources.
    • The development, organization, style, and tone of writing will change depending on the writing task, the purpose of the writing, and the intended audience.
    • Formal academic writing should demonstrate an appropriate command of language.

    Skills

    Students are able to:
    • Produce clear, coherent narrative, argument, and informative/explanatory writings.
    • Identify the writing task, the purpose of writing, and the intended audience in order to appropriately adapt the development, organization, style, and tone of the writing.
    • Demonstrate command of the written language.

    Understanding

    Students understand that:
    • There are different genres of writing that serve various purposes.
    • The writing task, purpose, and audience should be considered in the development, organization, style, and tone of the writing.
    • Formal academic writing should display their command of the English language.
    English Language Arts (2021) Grade(s): 8

    ELA21.8.8

    Produce clear, coherent narrative, argument, and informative/explanatory writing in which the development, organization, style, and tone are relevant to task, purpose, and audience, using an appropriate command of language.

    UP:ELA21.8.8

    Vocabulary

    • Narrative writing
    • Argument writing
    • Informative/explanatory writing
    • Writing development
    • Writing organization
    • Style
    • Tone
    • Task
    • Purpose
    • Audience
    • Command of language

    Knowledge

    Students know:
    • A narrative is a piece of writing that tells a story.
    • The purpose of argumentative writing is to convince the reader to take action or adopt a particular position.
    • Informative or explanatory text is a piece of writing that provides factual information that was gathered from multiple research sources.
    • The development, organization, style, and tone of writing will change depending on the writing task, the purpose of the writing, and the intended audience.
    • Formal academic writing should demonstrate an appropriate command of language.

      Skills

      Students are able to:
      • Produce clear, coherent narrative, argument, and informative/explanatory writings.
      • Identify the writing task, the purpose of writing, and the intended audience in order to appropriately adapt the development, organization, style, and tone of the writing.
      • Demonstrate command of the written language.

      Understanding

      Students understand that:
      • There are different genres of writing that serve various purposes.
      • The writing task, purpose, and audience should be considered in the development, organization, style, and tone of the writing.
      • Formal academic writing should display their command of the English language.
      English Language Arts (2021) Grade(s): 9

      ELA21.9.9

      Compose both short and extended narrative, informative/explanatory, and argumentative writings that are clear and coherent, use an appropriate command of language, and demonstrate development, organization, style, and tone that are relevant to task, purpose, and audience.

      UP:ELA21.9.9

      Vocabulary

      • Short writings
      • Extended writings
      • Narrative writing
      • Argumentative writing
      • Informative/explanatory writing
      • Writing development
      • Writing organization
      • Style
      • Tone
      • Task
      • Purpose
      • Audience
      • Command of language

      Knowledge

      Students know:
      • Writing pieces can be short, such as a paragraph, or extended, such as constructed responses and essays.
      • A narrative is a piece of writing that tells a story.
      • The purpose of argumentative writing is to convince the reader to take action or adopt a particular position.
      • Informative or explanatory text is a piece of writing that provides factual information that was gathered from multiple research sources.
      • The development, organization, style, and tone of writing will change depending on the writing task, the purpose of the writing, and the intended audience.
      • Formal academic writing should demonstrate an appropriate command of language.

      Skills

      Students are able to:
      • Compose short and extended clear, coherent narrative, argument, and informative/explanatory writings.
      • Identify the writing task, the purpose of writing, and the intended audience in order to appropriately adapt the development, organization, style, and tone of the writing.
      • Demonstrate command of the written language.

      Understanding

      Students understand that:
      • There are different genres of writing that serve various purposes.
      • The writing task, purpose, and audience should be considered in the development, organization, style, and tone of the writing.
      • Formal academic writing should display their command of the English language.
      English Language Arts (2021) Grade(s): 10

      ELA21.10.9

      Compose both short and extended narrative, informative/explanatory, and argumentative writings that are clear and coherent, use an appropriate command of language, and demonstrate development, organization, style, and tone that are relevant to task, purpose, and audience.

      UP:ELA21.10.9

      Vocabulary

      • Short writings
      • Extended writings
      • Narrative writing
      • Argumentative writing
      • Informative/explanatory writing
      • Writing development
      • Writing organization
      • Style
      • Tone
      • Task
      • Purpose
      • Audience
      • Command of language

      Knowledge

      Students know:
      • Writing pieces can be short, such as a paragraph, or extended, such as constructed responses and essays.
      • A narrative is a piece of writing that tells a story.
      • The purpose of argumentative writing is to convince the reader to take action or adopt a particular position.
      • Informative or explanatory text is a piece of writing that provides factual information that was gathered from multiple research sources.
      • The development, organization, style, and tone of writing will change depending on the writing task, the purpose of the writing, and the intended audience.
      • Formal academic writing should demonstrate an appropriate command of language.

      Skills

      Students are able to:
      • Compose short and extended clear, coherent narrative, argument, and informative/explanatory writings.
      • Identify the writing task, the purpose of writing, and the intended audience in order to appropriately adapt the development, organization, style, and tone of the writing.
      • Demonstrate command of the written language.

      Understanding

      Students understand that:
      • There are different genres of writing that serve various purposes.
      • The writing task, purpose, and audience should be considered in the development, organization, style, and tone of the writing.
      • Formal academic writing should display their command of the English language.
      English Language Arts (2021) Grade(s): 11

      ELA21.11.11

      Compose and edit both short and extended products in which the development and organization are relevant and suitable to task, purpose, and audience, using an appropriate command of language.

      UP:ELA21.11.11

      Vocabulary

      • Compose
      • Edit
      • Short products
      • Extended products
      • Writing development
      • Writing organization
      • Task
      • Purpose
      • Audience
      • Command of language

      Knowledge

      Students know:
      • Writing products can be short, such as a paragraph, or extended, such as constructed responses and essays.
      • The skills required by the writing process.
      • The development and organization of writing will change depending on the writing task, the purpose of the writing, and the intended audience.
      • Formal academic writing should demonstrate an appropriate command of language.

      Skills

      Students are able to:
      • Compose short and extended writing products.
      • Identify the writing task, the purpose of writing, and the intended audience in order to appropriately adapt the development and organization of the writing.
      • Demonstrate command of the written language.

      Understanding

      Students understand that:
      • There are different genres of writing that serve various purposes.
      • The writing task, purpose, and audience should be considered in the development and organization of the writing.
      • Formal academic writing should display their command of the English language.
      English Language Arts (2021) Grade(s): 12

      ELA21.12.11

      Compose, edit, and revise both short and extended products in which the development, organization, and style are relevant and suitable to task, purpose, and audience, using an appropriate command of language.

      UP:ELA21.12.11

      Vocabulary

      • Compose
      • Edit
      • Revise
      • Short products
      • Extended products
      • Writing development
      • Writing organization
      • Writing style
      • Task
      • Purpose
      • Audience
      • Command of language

      Knowledge

      Students know:
      • Writing products can be short, such as a paragraph, or extended, such as constructed responses and essays.
      • The skills required by the writing process.
      • The development, organization, and style of writing will change depending on the writing task, the purpose of the writing, and the intended audience.
      • Formal academic writing should demonstrate an appropriate command of language.

      Skills

      Students are able to:
      • Compose, edit, and revise short and extended writing products.
      • Identify the writing task, the purpose of writing, and the intended audience in order to appropriately adapt the development, organization, and style of the writing.
      • Demonstrate command of the written language.

      Understanding

      Students understand that:
      • There are different genres of writing that serve various purposes.
      • The writing process is a series of steps that improve writing over time.
      • The writing task, purpose, and audience should be considered in the development, organization, and style of the writing.
      • Formal academic writing should display their command of the English language.

      CR Resource Type

      Audio/Video

      Resource Provider

      PBS

      License Type

      Custom
      https://aptv.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/66491289-4532-454d-980b-4954b87f6b04…

      Custom License Type (URL)

      https://aptv.pbslearningmedia.org/help/terms-of-use/#restrictions

      Comments or Notes

      Handouts and additional materials are located to the right of the video. 

      Approved Date

      ALSDE LOGO

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