Skip to content
PlayOwl

English · Grade 8

Write a Sustained Argument

Learners build an evidence-based argument about a fictional town's decision to turn an old rail line into a trail. They model claim, evidence and reasoning from four short original sources, compare a strong and a weak paragraph against criteria, answer a counterclaim fairly, then draft and revise after criteria-based feedback. The course ends with a mixed quiz and a teacher-reviewed argument on a new issue.

  • 4 lessons
  • About 120 minutes
  • Sustained argument check: 10 questions
  • Ways to answer: fill in the blanks, choose an answer, highlight a text, match pairs, put in order and sort into groups
See plans Included with Family, Teacher and School plans. Open in PlayOwl

What learners will discover

  • Write an arguable, specific claim and distinguish it from a fact, a topic or a vague opinion.
  • Support a claim with relevant, specific evidence from sources and explain it with reasoning that connects the evidence to the claim.
  • Evaluate the strength of an argument paragraph using criteria: focus, relevant and sourced evidence, reasoning and cohesion.
  • Acknowledge a counterclaim fairly and respond with a concession and an evidence-based rebuttal.
  • Draft a sustained, multi-paragraph argument and revise it in response to criteria-based feedback.

Lessons

  1. Claim, evidence and reasoning 8 steps4 practiceabout 30 min
  2. Strong and weak paragraphs 8 steps5 practiceabout 28 min
  3. Counterclaims and rebuttals 9 steps6 practiceabout 30 min
  4. Draft, get feedback, revise 9 steps5 practiceabout 32 min
  5. Sustained argument check 10 questions at the end

Keep exploring

Games to practice with

More 8th grade reading

Guide for grown-ups