Nonfiction Reading & Argumentative Essay: "Why Grammar?" 1-Week Unit

NOW WITH GOOGLE DOCS: If you’re tired of trying to sell the importance of grammar to your students, then maybe it’s time to let them discover for themselves why we still have to learn it!

This mini-unit focuses on evaluating the arguments in articles, considering opposing viewpoints, and writing formally based on the conclusions drawn from the texts.

• First, students are introduced to the debate by reading recent, credible articles on whether or not grammar is important.

• Next, students write their own argumentative essays to state and defend their opinions with evidence. If you want to kick things up a notch, you can further engage students by making the essay a CONTEST. Once essays are written, let students read each others’ finished products and then VOTE on which “side” of the argument has persuaded them better!

Use this in...

• Middle School (grades 7-8): Choose from among the provided article links to differentiate to reading levels, then use this essay to teach basic five-paragraph structure and/or beginning use of cited evidence in writing.

• High School (grades 9-11): Teach advanced structural techniques (i.e. Monroe’s Motivated Sequence, Problem-Solution, etc.) in addition to propaganda techniques, logical appeals, opposing arguments, and other advanced persuasion methods. It is also similar to the ACT's writing expectations.

This EDITABLE, 15-page download includes:

• Google Docs, Word, and PDF versions

• Teacher’s Guide with suggested Essential Questions, CCSS standards for grades 7-11, “I Can” statements, and a sample calendar.

• Introduction and directions handout, explaining the purpose of the assignment and all of the requirements for formatting and content

• Rubric, assessing CCSS standards for argumentative writing and language (grammar)

• Brainstorming graphic organizer to jumpstart writing

• Sample essay for your class to read and critique as a mentor text

• A list of 8 links to recent, credible articles that I suggest reading and using as cited evidence, all with varying points of view and difficulty levels so you can pick and choose what is best for your class!

• Reading activity to help students comprehend the articles’ content and evaluate the quality of their arguments.

• A 10-question reading comprehension quiz with text-based questions for 2 of the articles (with answer key!)

• "Final voting ballot” peer sharing activity to use once the essays are written.

NOTES:

• This product is INCLUDED in my Grammar BUNDLE AND my Essay Mega Bundle. Check them out to save!

• This project also has a TWIN! Check out the "Why Poetry?" Mini-Unit.

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You might also like…

• "Word Crimes" Lesson

• Grammar Video Project

• Interactive Editing Checklist & Task Cards

• Proofreading is like Checking your Teeth

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