Opinion Writing Educational Resources

Parents and teachers may not want to teach kids to be better arguers, but doing so instills logical, thoughtful thinking. In order to debate a point, students must defend their opinion, provide evidence, and be quick on their feet in order to make a counter-claim. These argument writing resources train kids to do just that.

The word "argue" has a negative connotation, but arguing a point means one has an opinion they care enough about to defend. There are resources in the Learning Library that teach students how to craft a strong argument. The printable worksheets make for engaging class lessons. Some worksheets provide students with information on how to frame an argument—how to state a claim, begin a counterpoint, and finish with a credible conclusion. Other printouts instruct students to balance the pros and cons of specific subjects like homework or snakes. There is a variety of lesson plans on arguing found in the resource center, too. The It's Okay to Argue lesson plan teaches kids how to support their argument with evidence. Literary Argument: Drafting Your Essay is an extensive look at formatting a claim through thoughtful pre-writing. There is also a printable workbook for fifth graders, Writers' Building Blocks, that includes assignments on transitions, adding unexpected details, and other tips on effective writing. Education.com's sources on argument writing transform students into opinionated learners who are prepared to debate with evidence.