Argument Writing
More than any other time in history, our globalized, diverse, and information-rich society demands students be skilled in constructing an argument.
“An argument is a reasoned, logical way of demonstrating that the writer’s position, belief, or conclusion is valid.”
Common Core Standards, English Language Arts Appendix A, pg. 23
Not isolated to the academic setting, professional and career bound students must be able to research, think, formulate conclusions, anticipate counterarguments, and explain decisions to others.
The recent popularity of curriculum, conferences, and literature focusing on Christian apologetics highlights the value that many homeschool families place on this skill.
Of the three types of writing, argument writing receives a much greater priority in more recent educational standards, and is suggested to comprise at least forty percent of eleventh and twelfth grade writing. People wrongly assume that argument writing and persuasive writing are the same thing.
"Argument...is mainly about logical appeals and involves claims, evidence, warrants, backing, and rebuttals...Argument is at the heart of critical thinking and academic discourse."
Teaching Argument Writing
George Hillocks, Jr.
Since argument writing requires critical thinking and logic stills, there should be a heavier emphasis on developing this skill in the adolescent years. See Adolescent Writing - Arugment Writing for a fuller explanation of argument writing.
However, argument is not just reserved for advanced writers. Primary students, offering an opinion of a book they read in a written book report, are formulating the skills needed for argument writing. Students of all grades, across subjects of history, science, and literature can be exposed to the process of defending their judgments with evidence from sources.
