7.11.C
The Standard
compose multi-paragraph argumentative texts using genre characteristics and craft
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for English Language Arts and Reading · Composition: listening, speaking, reading, writing, and thinking using multiple texts
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students take a clear position on a debatable issue. They support it with logical reasons, relevant evidence, and explanations. They organize ideas across connected paragraphs and respond to an opposing view.
What Mastery Looks Like
- The student writes a clear, debatable claim and builds each paragraph around a focused reason. Evidence is relevant and explained. Transitions connect ideas, an opposing view is answered, and the conclusion reinforces the argument.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may state a strong opinion but provide no facts or examples. They may list evidence without explaining how it supports the claim. Some ignore opposing views or treat a counterclaim as another supporting reason.
How to Assess It
- Exit ticket: Using two provided sources, write three connected paragraphs answering, “Should schools limit homework?” Include a claim, evidence, explanation, and one opposing view.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Cut apart a sample argument, then have pairs arrange the paragraphs and label the claim, reasons, evidence, counterclaim, rebuttal, and conclusion.
Discuss whether seventh graders should have homework-free weekends, then write a claim and two reasons drawn from the class discussion.
Run an evidence match game where teams pair claim cards with strong evidence cards and explain why weak matches fail.
Have students write a letter to the principal proposing one school change, supported by facts, examples, and a response to one objection.
Keep exploring
Related Standards
- 6.11.C
compose multi-paragraph argumentative texts using genre characteristics and craft; and
- 4.12.C
compose argumentative texts, including opinion essays, using genre characteristics and craft; and
- 3.12.C
compose argumentative texts, including opinion essays, using genre characteristics and craft; and
- 8.11.C
compose multi-paragraph argumentative texts using genre characteristics and craft; and
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