TOP PICKS | 18 TOOLS
Resources for Persuasive and Argumentative Essay Writing
Top Picks
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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.
ThinkCERCA
Well-structured lessons encourage deep analysis, thoughtful writing
Bottom line: This is a ready-to-go, research-backed resource that focuses intently on CCSS-aligned and AP-level critical reading and writing skills.
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.
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.
Community in Crisis
Game shows real-world uses for literacy and decision-making skills
Bottom line: A clever, real-world, and civic-minded context to learn and practice ELA skills.
Vital Signs
ELA game set in a medical clinic shows the value of literacy skills
Bottom line: Great ELA lessons that realistically integrate literacy skills into the simulated day-to-day of a medical clinic.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Learning Network
Process current events through engaging NYT-style lens
Bottom line: From 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.
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.
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.
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.