Argument Essay Writing Practice
A Grade 11 ELA worksheet focused on developing argument essay writing skills, including identifying claims, evidence, and counterarguments.
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Argument Essay Writing Practice
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Read each question carefully and provide thoughtful responses. This worksheet will help you practice key components of argument essay writing.
Understanding Claims
Read the following statements and identify whether they are a strong claim for an argument essay. Explain your reasoning.
1. Social media can be bad for teenagers.
Is this a strong claim?
Explain why or why not:
2. To mitigate the negative effects of social media on adolescent mental health, schools should implement mandatory digital literacy courses.
Is this a strong claim?
Explain why or why not:
Identifying Evidence Types
Fill in the blank with the correct type of evidence (e.g., statistical, anecdotal, expert testimony, historical, scientific).
1. A study found that students who read for at least 30 minutes daily score 15% higher on standardized reading tests. This is an example of evidence.
2. Dr. Jane Goodall, a renowned primatologist, states that chimpanzees exhibit complex social behaviors. This is an example of evidence.
3. My friend lost 20 pounds by consistently exercising and eating a balanced diet. This is an example of evidence.
4. During the Great Depression, many families struggled to find work and food, leading to significant social reforms. This is an example of evidence.
Developing a Counterargument
Consider the following claim: 'All high school students should be required to complete at least 50 hours of community service before graduation.'
1. What is a potential counterargument to this claim?
2. How could you acknowledge and refute this counterargument in your essay?
Identifying Logical Fallacies
Read each statement and identify the logical fallacy present.
1. 'If we allow students to use their phones in class, soon they'll be watching movies and ignoring all their lessons, and then no one will ever learn anything!'
Ad Hominem
Slippery Slope
Straw Man
Red Herring
Argument Essay Prompt
Write a thesis statement and an outline for an argument essay responding to the following prompt:
Prompt: Should standardized testing be eliminated as a requirement for college admissions?
Thesis Statement:
Outline:
I. Introduction
A. Hook:
B. Background Information:
C. Thesis Statement: (Copy from above)
II. Body Paragraph 1 (Claim 1)
A. Topic Sentence:
B. Evidence 1:
C. Explanation/Analysis:
III. Body Paragraph 2 (Claim 2)
A. Topic Sentence:
B. Evidence 1:
C. Explanation/Analysis:
IV. Counterargument and Refutation
A. Counterargument:
B. Refutation:
V. Conclusion
A. Restate Thesis:
B. Summarize Main Points:
C. Concluding Thought/Call to Action: