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Writing an Argumentative Research Essay

Completed by 46 learners
Ages 11-14
Self-Paced Course
In this six week asynchronous writing course, middle school students learn to write an argumentative research essay with easy to follow steps. Students complete an argumentative essay on a topic of their own choosing with teacher feedback.
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:
(595 reviews)
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6 pre-recorded lessons
6 weeks of teacher support
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1 year of access to the content

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Your learner can start learning when they want and progress at the speed that works best for them.
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What's included

6 pre-recorded lessons
6 weeks
of teacher support
1 year access
to the content
Homework
1-2 hours per week. As students are writing papers in this class, homework will be assigned that is specific to the task that was covered in the week's videos. Students can generally expect to spend about an hour a week on homework (in addition to watching the videos and completing optional activities), some assignments will require less of the student. Some students may want to spend more than an hour each week on assignments, but it is not required or expected. Homework assignments are focused on learner's own essays, and each week is broken down into specific, manageable tasks.
Assessment
All submitted work will receive personalized feedback before students move on to the next task, specifically the outline and rough draft. There are no set deadlines for this class. I am happy to provide feedback on work whenever it is completed. Learners and parents have the option of receiving a letter grade at the end of the class on their final paper. A grading rubric will be provided at the beginning of class for these students.
Grading
Learners and parents have the option of receiving a letter grade at the end of the class on their final paper. A grading rubric will be provided for these students. Grades will be given to any student who requests them.

Class Experience

US Grade 6 - 8
Intermediate Level
This comprehensive self-paced writing class will take learners through the entire argumentative essay-writing process.  At the end of the course, students will have completed a polished final draft of an argumentative research essay on a topic of their choosing.  This is an asynchronous class-- there are no live meetings, but students will receive direct feedback on their own essay throughout the course

Each lesson focuses on a different element of writing an argumentative research paper, and contains a video explaining and demonstrating the skill for the week along with student handouts and the assignment.  Assignments walk students through writing their own essay. Students will complete homework and receive regular feedback from me before moving on to the next step (specifically on the outline and rough and final drafts.)  Students can expect feedback from me within three business days (usually it will be quicker).


Week 1: Research (how to select credible sources, annotating, etc); selecting a topic; logical fallacies (spotting and avoiding them in research and writing), 

Week 2: Planning / Prewriting: Bubble Maps, Thesis Statements and Outlines

Week 3: Using Text Evidence in Paragraphs (explaining and analyzing research in paragraphs), Active Verbs vs Passive Verbs, Transition Sentences, In-text citations (parenthetical references)

Week 4: Strengthening Your Argument: Word Choice, Avoiding Second Person, Dealing with the Counterargument

Week 5: Writing Introductions, Conclusions, and Works Cited Pages

Week 6: Revising and Editing Strategies

Students with a wide variety of background knowledge will do well in this class, but at a minimum students should be familiar with writing essays (any type) before taking this class.  Students who are not familiar with research essays are welcome to write a four or five paragraph essay (two or three body paragraphs), and students with a more advanced background in essay writing will be challenged to write longer essays or work on fine-tuning skills they already possess.  This class works well for students with a variety of skill levels, and success in this class depends more on the learner's desire to complete the work and follow the assignments rather than the writing level of the learner when beginning this course.

Learning Goals

Over this course students will learn how to write an argumentative research paper, from selecting a topic to correctly formatting a works cited page.  Students will learn how to spot logical fallacies and bias, and will apply this knowledge to their writing. A complete paper will be written during the course, and students will learn skills that can be applied to any future essay writing.

Syllabus

Curriculum
Follows Teacher-Created Curriculum
Standards
Aligned with Common Core State Standards (CCSS)
6 Lessons
over 6 Weeks
Lesson 1:
Prewriting
 Research (how to select credible sources, annotating, etc); selecting a topic; logical fallacies (spotting and avoiding them in research and writing) 
Lesson 2:
Prewriting
 Planning / Prewriting: Bubble Maps, Thesis Statements and Outlines; submit outline for feedback 
Lesson 3:
Rough Draft
 Using Text Evidence in Paragraphs (explaining and analyzing research in paragraphs), Active Verbs vs Passive Verbs, Transition Sentences, In-text citations (parenthetical references) 
Lesson 4:
Rough Draft
 Strengthening Your Argument: Word Choice, Avoiding Second Person, Dealing with the Counterargument 

Other Details

Learning Needs
This class is easily adaptable to students with dyslexia, ADHD, ASD, dysgraphia, etc. Students can use any adaptive technologies including, but not limited to, talk to type. Lessons are broken down in manageable sections.
Parental Guidance
None. However, because students are able to select their own topic for their research essay, parents / guardians should ensure that it fits within what they feel is appropriate for their learner.
Pre-Requisites
Students should be able to write a basic essay on their own to do well in this class.
Supply List
-- a non-black ink pen (blue, red, green) (for weeks 1 and 6)
-- pencil and paper
-- a folder to keep track of handouts and work
-- handouts will be provided before each class and will need to be printed before class begins. 

-- learners will need internet / library access to complete research on a topic of their choosing, as well as to view videos for this course
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Sources
none

Meet the teacher

5.0
595reviews
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Popular
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
Bachelor's Degree in English from University of Mississippi
I have a Bachelor of Arts in English, and held a Professional Teaching Certificate in Florida to teach English in grades 6-12.  I have experience teaching writing in public middle and high schools. For the past several years I have taught small group homeschool classes on essay writing, including how to write argumentative essays.  

Reviews

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