Developing Writers of Argument
Tools and Rules That Sharpen Student Reasoning
1st Edition
Published on 20. April 2018
Book
Paperback/Softback
184 pages
978-1-5063-5433-0 (ISBN)
Description
The ability to make effective arguments is not only necessary in students' academic lives, it's a transferable skill that's essential to students' future success as critical thinkers and contributing members of society.
But in the here and now, how do we engage students and ensure they understand argument writing's fundamental components? How do we take them from "Here's what I think" to "Here's what I think. Here's what makes me think that. And here's why it matters"?
This stunning, full-color book by Michael Smith and Jon-Philip Imbrenda shows the way, with ready-to-implement lessons that make argument writing topical and relevant. Students are first asked to form arguments about subjects that matter to them, and then to reflect on the structure of those arguments, a process that provides learners with valuable, reusable structural models.
Throughout the book, the authors provide helpful instructional tools, including
Literary, nonfiction, and author-created simulated texts that inspire different points of view
Essential questions to create a context that rewards argumentation
Lessons introducing students to the three essential elements of an argument-claim, data, and warrant-and how to make each effective
Questioning probes, semantic differential scales, and other innovative instructional approaches
Samples of writing from the authors' own students, and enlightening details on how this work informed the authors' subsequent teaching approach
Complete with guidance on applying the lessons' techniques in a broader, unit-wide context, Developing Writers of Argument offers a practical approach for instructing students in this crucial aspect of their lifelong development.
But in the here and now, how do we engage students and ensure they understand argument writing's fundamental components? How do we take them from "Here's what I think" to "Here's what I think. Here's what makes me think that. And here's why it matters"?
This stunning, full-color book by Michael Smith and Jon-Philip Imbrenda shows the way, with ready-to-implement lessons that make argument writing topical and relevant. Students are first asked to form arguments about subjects that matter to them, and then to reflect on the structure of those arguments, a process that provides learners with valuable, reusable structural models.
Throughout the book, the authors provide helpful instructional tools, including
Literary, nonfiction, and author-created simulated texts that inspire different points of view
Essential questions to create a context that rewards argumentation
Lessons introducing students to the three essential elements of an argument-claim, data, and warrant-and how to make each effective
Questioning probes, semantic differential scales, and other innovative instructional approaches
Samples of writing from the authors' own students, and enlightening details on how this work informed the authors' subsequent teaching approach
Complete with guidance on applying the lessons' techniques in a broader, unit-wide context, Developing Writers of Argument offers a practical approach for instructing students in this crucial aspect of their lifelong development.
Reviews / Votes
"Smith and Imbrenda care about deep and meaningful learning. In this book, they show how argument can be taught in ways that develop tremendous engagement and deep understanding through a process that is in service of critical literacy and social imagination and responsibility. There are a lot of books about argument out there. I'd argue that this one is the best and most transformative I've ever read. The 'so what' lessons on reasoning/warranting alone will transform your teaching of argument and of much else." -- Jeffrey D. Wilhelm, Distinguished Professor of English Education "I was impressed with how Smith and Imbrenda's approach helped students who are usually passive learners become so engaged in discussions about readings. Our test scores reflected that passion." -- Matthew Record, Principal "In just a few weeks, Smith and Imbrenda's approach to instruction transformed my classroom. My students and I became passionate about our reading, writing, and discussions; our state assessment scores went up. This stuff works. I wish I had known about it my whole career." -- Hanna Poist, Language Arts Teacher "Developing Writers of Argument is not only a practical guide for teaching students, but also a practical guide for educating teachers in the art of argument made simple. Instead of throwing the baby out with the bathwater, the authors draw upon years of research-based strategies and methodologies to make lessons real and relevant for today's learner. Reading the lessons provided me that 'ah ha' moment and helped me to internalize the need for the three Rs (relevance, responsibility, and respect) in teaching and learning." -- Kym Sheehan, Teacher/Curriculum SpecialistMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Thousand Oaks
United States
Publishing group
SAGE Publications Inc
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 279 mm
Width: 216 mm
Weight
523 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-5063-5433-0 (9781506354330)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Michael W. Smith, a professor in Temple University's College of Education, joined the ranks of college teachers after eleven years of teaching high school English. His research focuses on understanding both how adolescents and adults engage with texts outside school and how teachers can use those understandings to devise more motivating and effective instruction inside schools. Jon-Philip Imbrenda, a visiting assistant professor in the Department of Instruction and Learning at the University of Pittsburgh, has taught reading and writing to high school and college students for over 15 years. He is a recipient of the Sigol Award from the International Society for Technology in Education and the Dr. Rita Wolotkiewicz award for outstanding professional achievement in education. His scholarly work has appeared in Written Communication and Research in the Teaching of English.
Content
Foreword by Jim Burke
Acknowledgments
PART I. THE ARGUMENT FOR ARGUMENT
Chapter 1. Introduction
Argument Cultivates Critical Thinking
Argument Fosters Collaborative Reasoning
Argument Promotes a Sense of Social Responsibility
What This Book Can Offer
Chapter 2. A Classroom Culture of Argumentation
Revisiting the Three R's
Conversation as a Metaphor for Learning
Staging Conversations in Your Classroom
So What, Exactly, Is an Argument, Anyway?
Chapter 3. Our Instructional Approach
Transferable Classroom Tools
So Do They Work?
PART II. LESSONS
Chapter 4. Everyday Arguments
Introducing the Elements of Argument
Lesson 1: Apple Music vs. Spotify
Lesson 2: Taco Bell vs. Chipotle
Lesson 3: Who Is the Better Superhero?
Lesson 4: Which Video Streaming Service Is the Best?
Lesson 5: Heinz's Dilemma
Lesson 6: To What Extent Am I Responsible to Others?
Chapter 5. Practicing Three Elements of Argument
Lesson 7: Crafting Controversial Claims
Lesson 8: What Makes an Effective Claim?
Lesson 9: What Makes Effective Data? Part 1
Lesson 10: What Makes Effective Data? Part 2
Lesson 11: How Do Warrants Relate to Claims and Data?
Lesson 12: Practice Writing Warrants
Chapter 6. Applying What They've Learned About Argument to Texts
Lesson 13: Who Is Going to Bounce Back?
Lesson 14: Using Three Key Questions to Understand a Poem
Lesson 15: Applying What We've Learned to a Literary Argument
Lesson 16: Learning the Reader's Rule of Rupture
Lesson 17: Applying Argumentative Strategies to Respond to a Well-Known Theory
Lesson 18: Bringing Together All of the Elements of Argument: The Minnesota Twins Study
Chapter 7. Putting It All Together: Applying Argument to Life Choices
Lesson 19: Should I Choose a 2-Year or 4-Year College?
Lesson 20: What Career Has the Best Potential for Me?
Chapter 8. How to Use This Book
Using the Lessons Directly
Using the Tools
Using Our Lessons as Templates
References
Index
Acknowledgments
PART I. THE ARGUMENT FOR ARGUMENT
Chapter 1. Introduction
Argument Cultivates Critical Thinking
Argument Fosters Collaborative Reasoning
Argument Promotes a Sense of Social Responsibility
What This Book Can Offer
Chapter 2. A Classroom Culture of Argumentation
Revisiting the Three R's
Conversation as a Metaphor for Learning
Staging Conversations in Your Classroom
So What, Exactly, Is an Argument, Anyway?
Chapter 3. Our Instructional Approach
Transferable Classroom Tools
So Do They Work?
PART II. LESSONS
Chapter 4. Everyday Arguments
Introducing the Elements of Argument
Lesson 1: Apple Music vs. Spotify
Lesson 2: Taco Bell vs. Chipotle
Lesson 3: Who Is the Better Superhero?
Lesson 4: Which Video Streaming Service Is the Best?
Lesson 5: Heinz's Dilemma
Lesson 6: To What Extent Am I Responsible to Others?
Chapter 5. Practicing Three Elements of Argument
Lesson 7: Crafting Controversial Claims
Lesson 8: What Makes an Effective Claim?
Lesson 9: What Makes Effective Data? Part 1
Lesson 10: What Makes Effective Data? Part 2
Lesson 11: How Do Warrants Relate to Claims and Data?
Lesson 12: Practice Writing Warrants
Chapter 6. Applying What They've Learned About Argument to Texts
Lesson 13: Who Is Going to Bounce Back?
Lesson 14: Using Three Key Questions to Understand a Poem
Lesson 15: Applying What We've Learned to a Literary Argument
Lesson 16: Learning the Reader's Rule of Rupture
Lesson 17: Applying Argumentative Strategies to Respond to a Well-Known Theory
Lesson 18: Bringing Together All of the Elements of Argument: The Minnesota Twins Study
Chapter 7. Putting It All Together: Applying Argument to Life Choices
Lesson 19: Should I Choose a 2-Year or 4-Year College?
Lesson 20: What Career Has the Best Potential for Me?
Chapter 8. How to Use This Book
Using the Lessons Directly
Using the Tools
Using Our Lessons as Templates
References
Index