How do you choose an effective topic for an

argumentative essay?

In this lesson you will learn how to choose a topic for an

argumentative essay by exploring issues that affect

today’s world.

Let’s Review

Planning To Write

Drafting the Essay

Editing / Revising

Finding Supporting Evidence

Choosing a topic

A Common Mistake

Jump into a topic without giving much thought.

or

Core Lesson

Develop a list of 3-5 possible writing topics by asking: “What are some issues in the world I am concerned about?”

1

2 Free write about each topic, starting with ‘I am concerned about (topic) because . . .’

3Reread free writes and determine which topic you feel the strongest about.

Core Lesson

• Gang violence

• Clean drinking water

• Malaria

• Childhood obesity

What are some issues in the

world that I am concerned with?

Core Lesson

I am concerned with clean drinking water because I know that a lot of the world does not have enough of it to support their population. People are drinking dirty water that leads to certain types of diseases. Without clean water, this means that people struggle to maintain proper hygiene, which also leads to more health problems. I’m not sure how many people this affects, but I do know that it is a major issue in Africa and probably other parts of the world too. I have heard of efforts underway to find new ways to make more clean water available, so I know that people are trying.

Clean drinking water concerns me because. . .

What are some

possible solutions?

Core Lesson

I am concerned about gang violence because it is something that negatively affects communities. There are many murders and other crimes associated with gangs. Some gangs sell drugs that hurt people. They also recruit young people and many of them end up dead or in jail. This is a major issue in many cities across the United States. I think that some possible solutions could be more education, better options for teens and more police.

Gang violence concerns me because. . .

What are some

possible solutions?

Core Lesson

• Gang violence

• Clean drinking water

• Malaria

• Childhood obesity

Which topic do I feel most

strongly and also have more to say about?

Core Lesson

Develop a list of 3-5 possible writing topics by asking: “What are some issues in the world I am concerned about?”

1

2 Free write about each topic, starting with ‘I am concerned about (topic) because . . .’

3 Reread free writes and determine which topic you feel the strongest about.

In this lesson you learned how to choose a topic for an argumentative essay by

exploring issues that affect today’s world.

Guided Practice

Practice by free writing about each of the topics below.

• Malaria

• Childhood Obesity

Which of these topics will I

best be able to argue?

Extension Activities

Extension Activities

Watch the news and come up with a list of issues you heard talked about during the broadcast. Can you turn any of these ideas into a topic for an argumentative essay? List as many as you can. Choose ne and free write about it.

Extension Activities

Extension Activities

With a partner, look through a recent newspaper and find an article about an issue that really grabs your attention. Talk about the topic and why it concerns you, then free write about it.

Extension Activities

Extension Activities

With a partner, read an editorial from the local newspaper. Brainstorm some ways you could respond to the editorial by thinking about how the author's  argument affects the world. Then, together free write a response to the author’s view.

Let’s Review

Quick Quiz

Choose a topic for an argumentative essay by exploring issues that affect today’s world.