Argumentative writing

Background: The class is made up of ESL students in the high school grade at high intermediate level. Most of the students are Hispanic, but there are many Asian students.

Materials: Newspapers, old magazines, sheet explaining writing process toward argumentative writing.

Objective: The student will be able to write an argumentative paper taking the stand, and explain why is it that they believe the way they do.

Lesson:

1) To introduce the topic the students will be ask the following question: Should parents have a curfew for the children? The students will be divide it in two groups: Group A the ones who are in favor of having a curfew, and group B the ones who are not in favor of having a curfew. The students get together, and discuss the topic, and write down a few ideas. After having done this, they will try to convince me whether if there should or should not be a curfew.

2) After having done this activity the students will be told the reason of why they did this activity which is argumentative writing. And it is here where the teacher does the presentation about the process of writing and techniques to convince people or argue that something is better.

3) The teacher gives examples of argumentative writing from newspaper, and other specific examples

1. The newspaper: The student will be arrange in groups, and they have to look for techniques that are use for argumentative writing whether it is on an article that they pick to read from the newspaper or propaganda of business, and products.

2.The students look will for more technique use the magazines.

4) The student will be ask to find an article of argumentative writing, and read it before they come to class.

In class:

1. The students will be to ask to skim the article

unknown for vocabulary.

2. The students are ask to scan the article to find

techniques of argumentative writing

3. The students get in groups of five, and each has to

present to each other the technique that they encounter in their articles.

4. The students are ask to write a short response to the argument of the author of the article, and the proof and techniques use to convince the audience.

5) The students are divide in groups and they have to write a two-page paper of argumentative writing on controversial issues. For each topic there will be there will be a group how agrees, and who disagrees.

1. The students have to do some research to find evidence to try to argue their point. (The students will be given time is class to work in the papers)

2. To assist them with the papers will use the K-W-L to help them develop their topic.

A. K- know, what they know about the topic

B. W- Want , what they want to know or perhaps what they want to argue that point, and convince the audience.

C. L- What they learn about the topic which they will have

to present . They will present at the end of the lesson plan in the form of a debate with the group who disagrees with them.

6) Another thing to help the students with the develop of the paper is that the paper will be broken down. One day set apart they will be ask to start writing their paper without having to worry about spelling or grammar. On another day bring a draft paper to revise, and edited in class.

7) Finally they hand in paper and present their argument against the other group.