The Great Experiment in Collaborative Writing

Aim: How do we begin our argument essays?

Quick Write (emphasis on QUICK): Why do you think selective schools for "smart" kids is an important topic?


Today's Task: Draft your introductory paragraph to your argument essay. This is the all important paragraph that tells your reader why this topic is significant: what's at stake. It also provides a quick road map explaining to the reader where you are going to take them in order to argue your claim.

Why is this topic important? Here are two articles reviewing a book about selective public high schools that might provide some information as to why this topic is important. 


"New Book Offers Window into Selective Public High Schools"

Another article about the same book.


If you would like, we can write this first paragraph collaboratively using Google Drive. We can do this by sharing editing privileges with each other.

For your convenience, the challenge is re-posted below. You may tweak the question if you want. Just make sure that you take a strong position. Don't sit on the fence!

Question: Do you believe "smart" kids should have their own schools such as Stuyvesant and Bronx Science?

Take a position and support it with evidence from the facts and studies about mindset that we have read and discussed in class. You of course may use your own independent research as well. Use the claims-counterclaims graphic organizer and/or post-its to take notes on the relevant evidence and facts you will use to support your claims.

Here are some critical questions you should think about as you plan your essay:

• Would money spent on public selective high schools be better spent on programs for struggling students?
• How might tracking benefit students’ intellectual growth?
• How might tracking harm students’ intellectual growth?
• How do you identify and support a strong claim?
• How do you evaluate the strength of supporting evidence?
• How do you effectively dismiss a counterclaim?

Argument Essay Guidelines

Write a 750 word essay in which you:

•  Explain what's at stake. Why is this question important?
•  Develop and state your own position.
•  Defend your position with a range of different types of evidence, facts, and information from       the first three chapters of Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, articles, and videos we  watched and discussed in class.
•  Include any other research that you may have conducted independently.
•  ADDRESS AND RESPOND TO COUNTERCLAIMS TO YOUR POSITION.
•  Draw your own conclusions.

Start with an outline. You may choose to use this graphic organizer to outline your essay.

Here is the rubric by which it will be graded. You will be expected to complete final drafts, including peer editing, by Friday. The essay should be uploaded to Google Drive and linked to your blog. Essays also should be emailed to msbecker4@gmail.com