#10 A podcast on Argumentative writing.

A Step-by-Step Plan for Teaching Argumentative Writing.

By Jennifer Gonzalez

Jennifer Gonzales is a certified English language art teacher, however, she has been always interested in teaching children how to write. In her podcast explains how she teaches argumentative essay writing step by step and the strategies to improve it.
According to Jennifer it is important to prepare a gradual plan for teaching argumentative or persuasive essays. This plan includes several steps to take into consideration when we ask children to write: 

 Step #1: Watch how it is done
Students are required to read model examples of essays in different genres. The teacher should expose students to different real world writing, which are appealing to their interests, and make them compare diverse pieces of writings to spot the differences between them.
Step #2: Freestyle, Verbal arguing
In order for students to write a persuasive piece of writing, they need to be aware of how to state their ideas clearly. For this reason, teachers should encourage students to make verbal arguments of a certain topic through activities such as ice breakers in which students are told a statement and they should decide whether they agree or disagree on it. By doing this, they are supposed to support and defend their position. 
 Step #3: Formal Argument
Students will be provide with reliable research material in order to give them the opportunity to back up their arguments in a new topic. By the end of the discussion, students will be ask to write down three important reasons which will support their position on the topic, this implies writing a thesis statement.
Step #4: Assignment
 The teacher should state clear instructions for the assignment. It is necessary to present more than one topic so that students can choose what they are more comfortable with. Bringing material related to the topic and limiting students chooses when selecting supporting material will save a lot of time for them.
Step #5: Writing process (building the base)
A pre-writing process should be carried out so that all students will feel prepared when they are face to the writing task. The teacher will present different strategies such as graphic organizers or models of essays to show what the process of writing involves.
Step #6: Workshop (writing the essay)
Throughout several lessons students will work on how to choose the best evidence for their arguments, how to include it in their writings properly, how to cite sources correctly and writing skills. The teacher should monitor the students' performance and give feedback at all stages of the assignment. Collaborative work among students is a key aspect to make students pay attention to.
Step #7: Final assessment
By the end of the writing process, students will be ask to submit their writing work if they are sure about it. They should be given the opportunity to revise their assignment and resubmit when necessary.