16 TOOLS

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.

Writing A-Z

Abundant, thorough resources help both teachers and students

Bottom Line: This full-service program can help teachers easily weave writing into their curriculum.

Grades: K–6
Price:
Free to try

ThinkCERCA

Structured literacy program inspires deep analysis, thoughtful writing

Bottom Line: This is an expertly scaffolded and pedagogically sound resource for developing critical reading and writing skills.

Grades: 3–12
Price:
Paid

Writable

Stellar program scaffolds the writing process with peer review and feedback

Bottom Line: This is an intelligently structured tool for teaching writing and review that focuses on process as much as product.

Grades: 3–12
Price:
Free to try

Quandary

Slick ethics game teaches students to make tough decisions

Bottom Line: This versatile game that can teach ethics, argumentation, and civics is light on interactivity but will come alive through discussion.

Grades: 5–8
Price:
Free

Argument Wars

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.

Grades: 6–10
Price:
Free

AllSides for Schools

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.

Grades: 6–12
Price:
Free, Paid

NoodleTools

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.

Grades: 6–12
Price:
Free to try

ProCon.org

Comprehensive, nonpartisan resource navigates controversial issues

Bottom Line: The balanced pro/con format makes this a go-to source for online research on controversial issues.

Grades: 6–12
Price:
Free

Race to Ratify

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.

Grades: 6–12
Price:
Free

Room for Debate

Experts examine, dissect, and discuss critical issues

Bottom Line: A helpful site for exploring multiple perspectives on key current events and hot topics.

Grades: 6–12
Price:
Free

StudySync

Superb ELA resource features engaging activities, stellar support

Bottom Line: An exceptional, ever-growing resource for helping your students become close readers, careful writers, and critical thinkers.

Grades: 6–12
Price:
Free to try

Kialo Edu

A terrific, troll-free zone for structuring student discussion and debate

Bottom Line: A valuable platform for students to learn about social and political issues while practicing digital citizenship and argumentation.

Grades: 7–12
Price:
Free

The Learning Network

High-powered news site offers daily resource to process current events

Bottom Line: Backed by a world-class news team, this stunning free resource can fuel daily topical discussions.

Grades: 7–12
Price:
Free

Weava

Chrome extension helps organize web-based research

Bottom Line: For Chrome users and mostly digital classrooms, this is a fairly intuitive tool that'll help students wrangle their research.

Grades: 7–12
Price:
Free, Paid

YourCommonwealth

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.

Grades: 7–12
Price:
Free

iSideWith

Easy-to-use political quiz provides instant results, provokes debate

Bottom Line: A great tool to help students determine and compare political views; especially useful during the election cycle.

Grades: 9–12
Price:
Free

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