Writing II Module 12

Monday

Instruction

Bookmark and begin reviewing Writing II: Unit III - Argumentative Essay.
Review A Claim.
1. An initial claim is the main position of the writer. The writer is for or against something or they agree or disagree with something.
2. A counterclaim is to state what is wrong or weak about the initial claim.
3. A rebuttal is to state what is wrong or weak about the counterclaim.

Action Steps - For a Grade

Write your name and date at the top of a clean sheet of paper.
Below your name and date, write your assigned prompt either as an initial claim or a counterclaim (not both). Choose a position or take stance either for something or against something, etc. After you write your initial claim or counterclaim, label your position as either an “initial claim” or “counterclaim”.
Below your initial or counterclaim, list three to five specific examples - from personal experience - that support your position. Do not look up any information online.
Below your brainstorming list of specific examples, develop one five-sentence paragraph, writing in the third person and avoid subjective tone like saying, “it is good/better/worse”, etc.
1. Create a topic sentence (main idea) of your point, your position, or one that supports the side you are taking.
2. Describe the examples you listed in two (evidence) sentences and state what, how, why, when, where, with whom, etc. Again, examples should be specific and should be based on your experiences, so no citations and avoid looking anything up.
3. Create one analysis sentence where you comment, explain, analyze, etc. that links the evidence to the main idea (topic sentence).
4. Conclude your paragraph with a linking sentence that would segue into another paragraph or you may include a summarizing sentence.
Once you have completed your five-sentence paragraph, write below your paragraph the three parts of an introduction paragraph.
Hand in your work in class today - there is nothing to submit to Microsoft Teams.

Tuesday

Instruction

💡

For those who missed class April 13, 2026 and anyone who wishes to redo the assignment, you may do so in Writing II Lesson 12.5.

Review Block Method vs. Point-by-Point (Argumentative Essays).
Bookmark and begin reviewing Writing II: Unit III - Argumentative Essay.
Review A Claim.
1. An initial claim is the main position of the writer. The writer is for or against something or they agree or disagree with something.
2. A counterclaim is to state what is wrong or weak about the initial claim.
3. A rebuttal is to state what is wrong or weak about the counterclaim.

Possible School-Related Topics
1. Schools should ban student cell phones during instructional time.
2. Schools should allow cell phones in class if they are used only for learning activities.
3. Schools should require uniforms for all students.
4. Schools should ban uniforms and allow full freedom of dress (within safety limits).
5. Schools should enforce a stricter dress code (e.g., no hoodies, hats, or certain slogans).
6. Schools should loosen dress codes because they unfairly police students.
7. Homework should be limited to a maximum number of minutes per night.
8. Homework should be eliminated in favor of in-class practice and feedback.
9. Late work should be accepted without penalties as long as students eventually submit it.
10. Late work should receive strong penalties to build responsibility and fairness.
11. Attendance should count as part of a student’s grade.
12. Attendance should not be graded because it penalizes students with difficult circumstances.
13. Schools should start later in the morning for teens.
14. Schools should keep early start times to match parent/work schedules and transportation.
15. Schools should adopt a four-day school week.
16. Schools should keep a five-day week because it improves learning consistency.
17. Schools should allow “mental health days” as excused absences.
18. Schools should limit excused absences to prevent abuse of the system.
19. Schools should require community service for graduation.
20. Community service should be optional, not a graduation requirement.
21. Schools should require a personal finance course to graduate.
22. Schools should prioritize more core academic courses instead of adding graduation requirements.
23. Schools should require a digital citizenship / media literacy course.
24. Schools should require a career-readiness course (CV, interviews, workplace skills).
25. Schools should ban energy drinks on campus.
26. Schools should restrict or ban junk food sales on campus.
27. Schools should provide free breakfast and lunch for all students.
28. Schools should remove vending machines to promote healthier choices.
29. Schools should increase PE requirements to improve student health.
30. Schools should reduce PE requirements to give more time to academics.
31. Schools should adopt restorative justice practices instead of suspensions for most offenses.
32. Schools should use suspensions/expulsions more often to protect learning and safety.
33. Schools should require clear, consistent consequences for disruptive behavior across all teachers.
34. Schools should limit or ban detention because it is ineffective and inequitable.
35. Schools should require students to take standardized tests for promotion/graduation.
36. Schools should reduce standardized testing and use projects/portfolios instead.
37. Schools should allow test retakes for mastery-based grading.
38. Schools should ban test retakes because they reduce accountability and fairness.
39. Schools should allow students to use AI tools (with disclosure) for brainstorming and outlining.
40. Schools should ban AI tools for any graded writing assignments.
Example - without a thesis statement

Topic sentences (claim → counterclaim → rebuttal):
1. Initial claim support: A year-round calendar helps students retain skills by shortening the long summer break when many learners forget key content.
2. Counterclaim support (However…): Switching to year-round schooling can disrupt family schedules and limit traditional summer childcare and vacation plans.
3. Rebuttal support (Even so…): Schools can reduce these disruptions by offering intersession programs and publishing schedules far in advance so families can plan.
Example - with a thesis statement

Thesis statement: Schools should adopt a year-round calendar because it reduces summer learning loss, supports consistent routines, and uses school facilities more efficiently.

Topic sentences (claim → counterclaim → rebuttal):
1. Initial claim support: A year-round calendar helps students retain skills by shortening the long summer break when many learners forget key content.
2. Counterclaim support (However…): Switching to year-round schooling can disrupt family schedules and limit traditional summer childcare and vacation plans.
3. Rebuttal support (Even so…): Schools can reduce these disruptions by offering intersession programs and publishing schedules far in advance so families can plan.

Action Steps

💡

During this activity, check each other’s work and make sure each is using proper grammar, punctuation, and capitalization.

Form groups of three.
Each group member should select one of the school-related topics so that each member has a different topic.
With your chosen topic, write your initial claim (whether you are for or against something) on a piece of paper and include a subordinating clause with, “because”. For example, Schools should/should not… because…
Hand your initial claim to a different group member where they will provide a counterclaim to your initial claim with, “because”.
Pass the counterclaim to a different group member where they will provide a rebuttal to the counterclaim using, “because”.

Wednesday

Argumentative Essay
Argumentative Essay - Notes

Instruction

Bookmark and begin reviewing Writing II: Unit III - Argumentative Essay.

💡

I will be in CAADI April 16, 2026 2:00 PM to meet with any students to discuss 1) what causes a low originality score and 2) how to improve your originality score: ELT Cast 126: How to increase one’s originality score when writing an academic text.

Randomly Assigned Topics for Argumentative Essay

Student	Assigned topic
Alejandro	Schools should ban student cell phones during instructional time.
Alexa	Schools should start later in the morning for teens.
Alondra	Homework should be limited to a maximum number of minutes per night.
Anahi	Schools should require uniforms for all students.
Andrea E	Schools should loosen dress codes because they unfairly police students.
Andrea J	Schools should require clear, consistent consequences for disruptive behavior across all teachers.
Angel	Schools should adopt restorative justice practices instead of suspensions for most offenses.
Angeles	Schools should ban AI tools for any graded writing assignments.
Carlos	Schools should allow students to use AI tools (with disclosure) for brainstorming and outlining.
Caro	Schools should provide free breakfast and lunch for all students.
Dani	Schools should require a personal finance course to graduate.
Dayned	Schools should allow cell phones in class if they are used only for learning activities.
Diana	Schools should require students to take standardized tests for promotion/graduation.
Eduardo	Attendance should not be graded because it penalizes students with difficult circumstances.
Itzel	Schools should keep early start times to match parent/work schedules and transportation.
Jesus	Schools should allow “mental health days” as excused absences.
Karla	Schools should require community service for graduation.
Karol	Schools should ban energy drinks on campus.
Kateryn	Schools should enforce a stricter dress code (e.g., no hoodies, hats, or certain slogans).
Massiel	Schools should restrict or ban junk food sales on campus.
Monste	Schools should adopt a four-day school week.
Naomi	Schools should reduce standardized testing and use projects/portfolios instead.
Natalia	Schools should reduce PE requirements to give more time to academics.
Nubia	Late work should receive strong penalties to build responsibility and fairness.
Perla	Schools should ban uniforms and allow full freedom of dress (within safety limits).
Renata	Schools should require students to learn basic personal finance (budgeting, credit, taxes).
Rubi	Community service should be optional, not a graduation requirement.
Samanta	Schools should limit excused absences to prevent abuse of the system.
Selena	Homework should be eliminated in favor of in-class practice and feedback.

Examples

Example 1 (New topic: Year-round school calendar)

Thesis statement:

Schools should adopt a year-round calendar because it reduces summer learning loss, supports consistent routines, and uses school facilities more efficiently.

Topic sentences (claim → counterclaim → rebuttal):
1. Initial claim support: (I believe that) A year-round calendar helps students retain skills by shortening the long summer break when many learners forget key content.
2. Counterclaim support: (Some people say) switching to year-round schooling can disrupt family schedules and limit traditional summer childcare and vacation plans.
3. Rebuttal support: (Even so/however), schools can reduce these disruptions by offering intersession programs and publishing schedules far in advance so families can plan.
Example 2 (New topic: Anonymous reporting systems for bullying and threats)

Thesis statement:

Schools should implement anonymous reporting systems because they increase student safety, encourage earlier intervention, and reduce fear of retaliation.

Topic sentences (claim → counterclaim → rebuttal):
1. Initial claim support: Anonymous reporting makes it more likely that students will report bullying or threats when they are afraid of being targeted for speaking up.
2. Counterclaim support: Critics argue that anonymous systems can lead to false reports that waste administrators’ time and unfairly accuse students.
3. Rebuttal support: Nevertheless, clear investigation procedures and consequences for deliberate misuse can limit false claims while still protecting students who report real concerns.
Example 3 (New topic: Later start time for extracurricular activities (sports/clubs))

Thesis statement:

Schools should start extracurricular activities later in the afternoon because it improves academic focus, reduces student stress, and makes participation more equitable for students with transportation or family responsibilities.

Topic sentences (claim → counterclaim → rebuttal):
1. Initial claim support: When practices and club meetings begin later, students have more time to complete homework and attend tutoring before activities.
2. Counterclaim support: Opponents claim that later activities would end too late, increasing safety risks and interfering with dinner, work, and family schedules.
3. Rebuttal support: Still, schools can address timing concerns by shortening practice sessions on weekdays and coordinating shared transportation so students get home safely and predictably.
Common misconception

Many ELL essays fail because the counterclaim is shallow. Flip the order:
1. Topic:
2. Best argument AGAINST my position:
3. My rebuttal:
4. Now my initial claim + reason:
Why it works: if they can’t think of a real counterclaim, the topic is probably not arguable or is too obvious.
Possible School-Related Topics
1. Schools should ban student cell phones during instructional time.
2. Schools should allow cell phones in class if they are used only for learning activities.
3. Schools should require uniforms for all students.
4. Schools should ban uniforms and allow full freedom of dress (within safety limits).
5. Schools should enforce a stricter dress code (e.g., no hoodies, hats, or certain slogans).
6. Schools should loosen dress codes because they unfairly police students.
7. Homework should be limited to a maximum number of minutes per night.
8. Homework should be eliminated in favor of in-class practice and feedback.
9. Late work should be accepted without penalties as long as students eventually submit it.
10. Late work should receive strong penalties to build responsibility and fairness.
11. Attendance should count as part of a student’s grade.
12. Attendance should not be graded because it penalizes students with difficult circumstances.
13. Schools should start later in the morning for teens.
14. Schools should keep early start times to match parent/work schedules and transportation.
15. Schools should adopt a four-day school week.
16. Schools should keep a five-day week because it improves learning consistency.
17. Schools should allow “mental health days” as excused absences.
18. Schools should limit excused absences to prevent abuse of the system.
19. Schools should require community service for graduation.
20. Community service should be optional, not a graduation requirement.
21. Schools should require a personal finance course to graduate.
22. Schools should prioritize more core academic courses instead of adding graduation requirements.
23. Schools should require a digital citizenship / media literacy course.
24. Schools should require a career-readiness course (CV, interviews, workplace skills).
25. Schools should ban energy drinks on campus.
26. Schools should restrict or ban junk food sales on campus.
27. Schools should provide free breakfast and lunch for all students.
28. Schools should remove vending machines to promote healthier choices.
29. Schools should increase PE requirements to improve student health.
30. Schools should reduce PE requirements to give more time to academics.
31. Schools should adopt restorative justice practices instead of suspensions for most offenses.
32. Schools should use suspensions/expulsions more often to protect learning and safety.
33. Schools should require clear, consistent consequences for disruptive behavior across all teachers.
34. Schools should limit or ban detention because it is ineffective and inequitable.
35. Schools should require students to take standardized tests for promotion/graduation.
36. Schools should reduce standardized testing and use projects/portfolios instead.
37. Schools should allow test retakes for mastery-based grading.
38. Schools should ban test retakes because they reduce accountability and fairness.
39. Schools should allow students to use AI tools (with disclosure) for brainstorming and outlining.
40. Schools should ban AI tools for any graded writing assignments.

Follow the block method of writing a five-paragraph essay where your first body paragraph supports an initial claim, your second body paragraph supports a counterclaim, and your third body paragraph supports a rebuttal. Review Block Method vs. Point-by-Point (Argumentative Essays).
Review A Claim.
1. An initial claim is the main position of the writer. The writer is for or against something or they agree or disagree with something.
2. A counterclaim is to state what is wrong or weak about the initial claim.
3. A rebuttal is to state what is wrong or weak about the counterclaim.

Action Steps

Brainstorming activity

Topic Initial claim (I believe…) Counterclaim (Some people say…) Rebuttal (However…)

Sentence frames:

💡 A sentence frame is designed to help you think about the relationship between the initial claim, counterclaim, and rebuttal. Phrases like, “I believe…”, “Some people disagree…”, and “However…” will be avoided later when we begin writing our argumentative essay.
- Initial claim: I believe schools should/shouldn’t because .
- Counterclaim: Some people disagree because ___.
- Rebuttal: However, that is not completely true because ___.
Decision rule: pick the topic where they can write the strongest rebuttal (usually the easiest to develop into body paragraph 3).

Review the randomly assigned topics above and decide whether you want to keep the assigned topic (Randomly Assigned Topics for Argumentative Essay) or change for another topic that has not already been assigned (from Possible School-Related Topics).
Complete the file, Assigned Argumentative Topics.xlsx in Teams:
1. Decide if you are for or against the main topic (i.e., add “for” or “against” to the spreadsheet
2. Complete your initial claim, counterclaim, and rebuttal
3. Develop your thesis statement.

Thursday

Argumentative Essay
Argumentative Essay - Notes

Instruction

💡

Bookmark and begin reviewing Writing II: Unit III - Argumentative Essay.

Randomly Assigned Topics for Argumentative Essay

Student	Assigned topic
Alejandro	Schools should ban student cell phones during instructional time.
Alexa	Schools should start later in the morning for teens.
Alondra	Homework should be limited to a maximum number of minutes per night.
Anahi	Schools should require uniforms for all students.
Andrea E	Schools should loosen dress codes because they unfairly police students.
Andrea J	Schools should require clear, consistent consequences for disruptive behavior across all teachers.
Angel	Schools should adopt restorative justice practices instead of suspensions for most offenses.
Angeles	Schools should ban AI tools for any graded writing assignments.
Carlos	Schools should allow students to use AI tools (with disclosure) for brainstorming and outlining.
Caro	Schools should provide free breakfast and lunch for all students.
Dani	Schools should require a personal finance course to graduate.
Dayned	Schools should allow cell phones in class if they are used only for learning activities.
Diana	Schools should require students to take standardized tests for promotion/graduation.
Eduardo	Attendance should not be graded because it penalizes students with difficult circumstances.
Itzel	Schools should keep early start times to match parent/work schedules and transportation.
Jesus	Schools should allow “mental health days” as excused absences.
Karla	Schools should require community service for graduation.
Karol	Schools should ban energy drinks on campus.
Kateryn	Schools should enforce a stricter dress code (e.g., no hoodies, hats, or certain slogans).
Massiel	Schools should restrict or ban junk food sales on campus.
Monste	Schools should adopt a four-day school week.
Naomi	Schools should reduce standardized testing and use projects/portfolios instead.
Natalia	Schools should reduce PE requirements to give more time to academics.
Nubia	Late work should receive strong penalties to build responsibility and fairness.
Perla	Schools should ban uniforms and allow full freedom of dress (within safety limits).
Renata	Schools should require students to learn basic personal finance (budgeting, credit, taxes).
Rubi	Community service should be optional, not a graduation requirement.
Samanta	Schools should limit excused absences to prevent abuse of the system.
Selena	Homework should be eliminated in favor of in-class practice and feedback.

Examples

Example 1 (New topic: Year-round school calendar)

Thesis statement:

Schools should adopt a year-round calendar because it reduces summer learning loss, supports consistent routines, and uses school facilities more efficiently.

Topic sentences (claim → counterclaim → rebuttal):
1. Initial claim support: (I believe that) A year-round calendar helps students retain skills by shortening the long summer break when many learners forget key content.
2. Counterclaim support: (Some people say) switching to year-round schooling can disrupt family schedules and limit traditional summer childcare and vacation plans.
3. Rebuttal support: (Even so/however), schools can reduce these disruptions by offering intersession programs and publishing schedules far in advance so families can plan.
Example 2 (New topic: Anonymous reporting systems for bullying and threats)

Thesis statement:

Schools should implement anonymous reporting systems because they increase student safety, encourage earlier intervention, and reduce fear of retaliation.

Topic sentences (claim → counterclaim → rebuttal):
1. Initial claim support: Anonymous reporting makes it more likely that students will report bullying or threats when they are afraid of being targeted for speaking up.
2. Counterclaim support: ~~Critics argue that~~ anonymous systems can lead to false reports that waste administrators’ time and unfairly accuse students.
3. Rebuttal support: ~~Nevertheless~~, clear investigation procedures and consequences for deliberate misuse can limit false claims while still protecting students who report real concerns.
Example 3 (New topic: Later start time for extracurricular activities (sports/clubs))

Thesis statement:

Schools should start extracurricular activities later in the afternoon because it improves academic focus, reduces student stress, and makes participation more equitable for students with transportation or family responsibilities.

Topic sentences (claim → counterclaim → rebuttal):
1. Initial claim support: Students have more time to complete homework and attend tutoring before activities when practices and club meetings begin later.
2. Counterclaim support: ~~Opponents claim that~~ Later activities would end too late, increasing safety risks and interfering with dinner, work, and family schedules.
3. Rebuttal support: ~~Still~~, Schools can address timing concerns by shortening practice sessions on weekdays and coordinating shared transportation so students get home safely and predictably.
Compare a thesis statement to an initial claim (examples)
1. Thesis statement: Cities should expand public parks because they improve mental health, strengthen community connections, and reduce urban heat.
Initial claim (Body Paragraph 1 topic sentence): Public parks improve mental health because they provide nearby spaces for exercise, relaxation, and stress reduction.
1. Thesis statement: Parents should limit screen time before bed because it improves sleep quality, reduces anxiety, and increases daytime focus for their children.
Initial claim (Body Paragraph 1 topic sentence): Limiting screen time improves sleep quality because blue light and constant stimulation make it harder to fall asleep.
1. Thesis statement: Governments should invest more in renewable energy because it reduces pollution, increases energy security, and creates long-term jobs.
Initial claim (Body Paragraph 1 topic sentence): Investing in renewable energy reduces pollution because solar and wind power produce electricity without burning fossil fuels.
1. Thesis statement: Communities should promote carpooling because it reduces traffic, lowers transportation costs, and decreases carbon emissions.
Initial claim (Body Paragraph 1 topic sentence): Carpooling reduces traffic because fewer cars on the road means less congestion during peak hours.
1. Thesis statement: Restaurants should reduce food waste because it saves money, helps address hunger, and protects the environment.
Initial claim (Body Paragraph 1 topic sentence): Reducing food waste saves money because restaurants can lower purchasing costs when they plan portions and inventory more carefully.
1. Thesis statement: People should drink more water each day because it improves physical performance, supports concentration, and prevents common health problems.
Initial claim (Body Paragraph 1 topic sentence): Drinking more water improves physical performance because hydration helps regulate body temperature and supports muscle function.
1. Thesis statement: Cities should improve public transportation because it increases access to jobs, reduces congestion, and lowers air pollution.
Initial claim (Body Paragraph 1 topic sentence): Better public transportation increases access to jobs because reliable, affordable routes allow more people to commute without a car.
1. Thesis statement: Social media companies should strengthen privacy settings by default because it protects users’ data, reduces online harassment, and builds public trust.
Initial claim (Body Paragraph 1 topic sentence): Stronger default privacy settings protect users’ data because fewer personal details are exposed to strangers and advertisers.
1. Thesis statement: Governments should regulate misleading advertising because it protects consumers, encourages fair competition, and reduces financial harm.
Initial claim (Body Paragraph 1 topic sentence): Regulating misleading advertising protects consumers because people can make purchasing decisions based on accurate information.
1. Thesis statement: People should learn basic financial literacy because it helps them avoid debt, plan for emergencies, and make smarter long-term choices.
Initial claim (Body Paragraph 1 topic sentence): Financial literacy helps people avoid debt because understanding interest and budgeting prevents overspending and high-cost loans.
Common misconception

Many ELL essays fail because the counterclaim is shallow. Flip the order:
1. Topic:
2. Best argument AGAINST my position:
3. My rebuttal:
4. Now my initial claim + reason:
Why it works: if they can’t think of a real counterclaim, the topic is probably not arguable or is too obvious.
Possible School-Related Topics
1. Schools should ban student cell phones during instructional time.
2. Schools should allow cell phones in class if they are used only for learning activities.
3. Schools should require uniforms for all students.
4. Schools should ban uniforms and allow full freedom of dress (within safety limits).
5. Schools should enforce a stricter dress code (e.g., no hoodies, hats, or certain slogans).
6. Schools should loosen dress codes because they unfairly police students.
7. Homework should be limited to a maximum number of minutes per night.
8. Homework should be eliminated in favor of in-class practice and feedback.
9. Late work should be accepted without penalties as long as students eventually submit it.
10. Late work should receive strong penalties to build responsibility and fairness.
11. Attendance should count as part of a student’s grade.
12. Attendance should not be graded because it penalizes students with difficult circumstances.
13. Schools should start later in the morning for teens.
14. Schools should keep early start times to match parent/work schedules and transportation.
15. Schools should adopt a four-day school week.
16. Schools should keep a five-day week because it improves learning consistency.
17. Schools should allow “mental health days” as excused absences.
18. Schools should limit excused absences to prevent abuse of the system.
19. Schools should require community service for graduation.
20. Community service should be optional, not a graduation requirement.
21. Schools should require a personal finance course to graduate.
22. Schools should prioritize more core academic courses instead of adding graduation requirements.
23. Schools should require a digital citizenship / media literacy course.
24. Schools should require a career-readiness course (CV, interviews, workplace skills).
25. Schools should ban energy drinks on campus.
26. Schools should restrict or ban junk food sales on campus.
27. Schools should provide free breakfast and lunch for all students.
28. Schools should remove vending machines to promote healthier choices.
29. Schools should increase PE requirements to improve student health.
30. Schools should reduce PE requirements to give more time to academics.
31. Schools should adopt restorative justice practices instead of suspensions for most offenses.
32. Schools should use suspensions/expulsions more often to protect learning and safety.
33. Schools should require clear, consistent consequences for disruptive behavior across all teachers.
34. Schools should limit or ban detention because it is ineffective and inequitable.
35. Schools should require students to take standardized tests for promotion/graduation.
36. Schools should reduce standardized testing and use projects/portfolios instead.
37. Schools should allow test retakes for mastery-based grading.
38. Schools should ban test retakes because they reduce accountability and fairness.
39. Schools should allow students to use AI tools (with disclosure) for brainstorming and outlining.
40. Schools should ban AI tools for any graded writing assignments.

Follow the block method of writing a five-paragraph essay where your first body paragraph supports an initial claim, your second body paragraph supports a counterclaim, and your third body paragraph supports a rebuttal. Review Block Method vs. Point-by-Point (Argumentative Essays).
Review A Claim.
1. An initial claim is the main position of the writer. The writer is for or against something or they agree or disagree with something.
2. A counterclaim is to state what is wrong or weak about the initial claim.
3. A rebuttal is to state what is wrong or weak about the counterclaim.

Action Steps

Complete the Assigned Argumentative Topics.xlsx in Teams that includes completing a Thesis statement: transition, topic, main claim, connector like “because” or preposition “by”, and (a) key point(s).
Choose one of the Word documents in Argumentative Essays and rename the document with your full name, first name first.
Add your first name to the title page of your Word document.
Complete the brainstorming page (in this order).
1. Write at least five examples that support your initial claim, counterclaim, and rebuttal.
2. Begin adding a list of examples, facts, details, and/or statistics to the “Examples…” column and create separate URLs (as hypertext).
3. Replace “initial claim”, “Counterclaim”, and “Rebuttal” with your topic sentences for each (that later will begin each of your three body paragraphs.

Friday

Instruction

Complete View assignment: “Thesis statement, claims, and evidence” assignment in teams (what we completed in class Wednesday and Thursday of this week in excel spreadsheet and brainstorming activity in your Word document:

initial claim, counterclaim, and rebuttal
thesis statement
brainstorming activity: personal examples and examples, facts, statistics, details from outside sources (as hypertext).

Action Steps - For a Grade (or Redo)

💡

Today’s class is designed for those who either missed class on April 13, 2026 or would like to redo the graded assignment; otherwise, you do not need to attend class today. No phones may be used to complete the assignment.

Write your name and date at the top of a clean sheet of paper.
Below your name and date, write your assigned prompt either as an initial claim or a counterclaim (not both). Choose a position or take stance either for something or against something, etc. After you write your initial claim or counterclaim, label your position as either an “initial claim” or “counterclaim”.
Below your initial or counterclaim, list three to five specific examples - from personal experience - that support your position. Do not look up any information online.
Below your brainstorming list of specific examples, develop one five-sentence paragraph, writing in the third person and avoid subjective tone like saying, “it is good/better/worse”, etc.
1. Create a topic sentence (main idea) of your point, your position, or one that supports the side you are taking.
2. Describe the examples you listed in two (evidence) sentences and state what, how, why, when, where, with whom, etc. Again, examples should be specific and should be based on your experiences, so no citations and avoid looking anything up.
3. Create one analysis sentence where you comment, explain, analyze, etc. that links the evidence to the main idea (topic sentence).
Instruction

Complete View assignment: “Thesis statement, claims, and evidence” assignment in teams (what we completed in class Wednesday and Thursday of this week in excel spreadsheet and brainstorming activity in your Word document:
1. initial claim, counterclaim, and rebuttal
2. thesis statement
3. brainstorming activity: personal examples and examples, facts, statistics, details from outside sources (as hypertext).
Action Steps - For a Grade (or Redo)

💡

Today’s class is designed for those who either missed class on April 13, 2026 or would like to redo the graded assignment; otherwise, you do not need to attend class today. No phones may be used to complete the assignment.
1. Write your name and date at the top of a clean sheet of paper.
2. Below your name and date, write your assigned prompt either as an initial claim or a counterclaim (not both). Choose a position or take stance either for something or against something, etc. After you write your initial claim or counterclaim, label your position as either an “initial claim” or “counterclaim”.
3. Below your initial or counterclaim, list three to five specific examples - from personal experience - that support your position. Do not look up any information online.
4. Below your brainstorming list of specific examples, develop one five-sentence paragraph, writing in the third person and avoid subjective tone like saying, “it is good/better/worse”, etc.
  1. Create a topic sentence (main idea) of your point, your position, or one that supports the side you are taking.
  2. Describe the examples you listed in two (evidence) sentences and state what, how, why, when, where, with whom, etc. Again, examples should be specific and should be based on your experiences, so no citations and avoid looking anything up.
  3. Create one analysis sentence where you comment, explain, analyze, etc. that links the evidence to the main idea (topic sentence).
  4. Conclude your paragraph with a linking sentence that would segue into another paragraph or you may include a summarizing sentence.
5. Once you have completed your five-sentence paragraph, write below your paragraph the three parts of an introduction paragraph.
6. Hand in your work in class today - there is nothing to submit to Microsoft Teams.
7. Conclude your paragraph with a linking sentence that would segue into another paragraph or you may include a summarizing sentence.
Once you have completed your five-sentence paragraph, write below your paragraph the three parts of an introduction paragraph.
Hand in your work in class today - there is nothing to submit to Microsoft Teams.

Benjamin L. Stewart

Explorer

Writing II Module 12

Monday

Instruction

Action Steps - For a Grade

Tuesday

Instruction

Action Steps

Wednesday

Instruction

Example 1 (New topic: Year-round school calendar)

Example 2 (New topic: Anonymous reporting systems for bullying and threats)

Example 3 (New topic: Later start time for extracurricular activities (sports/clubs))

Action Steps

Thursday

Instruction

Example 1 (New topic: Year-round school calendar)

Example 2 (New topic: Anonymous reporting systems for bullying and threats)

Example 3 (New topic: Later start time for extracurricular activities (sports/clubs))

Action Steps

Friday

Instruction

Action Steps - For a Grade (or Redo)

Instruction

Action Steps - For a Grade (or Redo)

Graph View

Table of Contents

Backlinks

tags	module, archive
subject	Writing II