Resources for Persuasive and Argumentative Essay Writing
You could make the argument that all writing is persuasive. That's why it's so important for students to understand the building blocks of a well-grounded and well-argued persuasive essay. This list collects some helpful resources for building these argumentative and persuasive writing skills. Each of these tools can help students learn to develop a claim, substantiate it with evidence, acknowledge opposing claims, and utilize relevant, logical reasoning to develop a sound and coherent argument. What's more, these skills pay dividends beyond academic writing. By practicing persuasive writing, students also build a solid foundation in the kind of critical thinking and reading necessary for them to be well-informed citizens.
Supreme Court sim covers constitutional history, the art of argument
Bottom Line: Social studies and civics teachers will find this game valuable for introducing major court cases -- and their influences -- and it includes plenty of extension activities for larger lessons or units.
Civics site offers building blocks for meaningful dialogue
Bottom Line: This site meaningfully promotes dialogue rather than argument, and collects a lot of resources you might normally have to curate yourself.
Expansive research tool uniquely melds learning and productivity
Bottom Line: While the complex, old-school design isn't ideal, NoodleTools gives students specific assistance where they need it the most -- with citations, paraphrasing, elaboration, and organization.
Great history game offers cool constitutional spin on persuasion
Bottom Line: This super smart game will get students digging into and understanding the federalist and anti-federalist sides of the U.S. Constitution ratification debate.
High-powered news site offers daily resource to process current events
Bottom Line: Driven by a trusted news organization with its finger on the pulse of the world, this free resource can be a reliable source of activities and ideas for current event discussions.
Engage with passionate international perspectives from youth
Bottom Line: Offers a rich variety of news and opinion stories on global issues, and its young writers will get U.S. students hooked on civic engagement.
