Argumentative Essay

Overview
The final goal of our unit on rivalry and The Outsiders is for you to write an argumentative
essay. There will be five phases to this assignment which will take place throughout the unit.
Please do not work ahead – all work for this assignment must be done in class or in tutorials.
Please note: ALL phases of the essay will count for marks!

Phase One: Class Creation of Essay Prompts (In-Class)

As a class we wil brainstorm several prompts for the argumentative essay. These prompts will
be related to The Outsiders and/or our unit theme: Rivalry. I will then compile these prompts
(and a few of my own) into a list that you may choose from.

Phase Two: Topic Choice and Outline (In-class)

From the list of prompts we create as a class, you will choose one to inspire your
argumentative essay. Using the outline worksheet, you will create an outline of your essay.
Please use The Outsiders and/or additional resources to provide evidence for your
argument(s). Include this evidence in your outline.

Phase Three: Rough Draft (In-class)

You will be given time during class to work on your rough draft. If you do not finish your
rough draft in class, you must finish it in tutorials.

Phase Four: Peer Edit (In-class)

In class, we will complete a peer editing activity in which you will receive constructive
feedback from your peers.

Phase Five: Final Draft Submission (In class)

Utilizing feedback received from the peer edit activity, you will create a final draft of your
argumentative essay. This final draft should be approximately 350-500 words. Please hand-in
your final draft with your self-assessment checklist attached.
 Final Draft Rubric
Further
Satisfactory Approaching Development
40-50 30-40 Needed
Below 30
Argument Thesis is clear. Thesis is somewhat Thesis is not clear.
Argument is clear. Argument is Argument is not
/20 compelling. Both somewhat convincing. Only one
sides of the convincing. Only one side of the argument
argument are side of the argument is addressed.
addressed. Argument is addressed. Argument is not
is supported with Argument is weakly supported by textual,
textual, media, supported by textual, media and/or
and/or cultural media and/or cultural evidence.
evidence. cultural evidence
Structure The essay follows the The essay attempts The essay does not
5-paragraph format to follow the 5- attempt to follow the
/10 detailed in the paragraph format 5-paragraph format
outline worksheet. detailed in the detailed in the
Paragraph and outline worksheet outline worksheet.
sentence structure but one paragraph Many paragraphs are
are appropriate. may be too missing or too short.
Paragraphs flow short/missing. Paragraph and
smoothly from one Paragraph and sentence structure
to the next sentence structure are not appropriate.
are somewhat
appropriate.
Quality of Writing Writing is clear and Writing is somewhat Writing is not clear or
concise. Vocabulary clear and/or concise. concise. Vocabulary
/10 and sentence Vocabulary may be is basic and sentence
structure are varied somewhat varied but structure is not
and make the text sentence structure varied.
interesting to read. may lack variety.
Mechanics Virtually no errors in Few errors in Many errors in
spelling, grammar or spelling, grammar or spelling, grammar,
/10 punctuation. punctuation. and punctuation.