Session 2: Flash-Drafting Arguments while Working on Specific Writing Goals Get out the plan you worked on last night, and use it to quickly talk with your partner about how your argument will go. If you have notes, get those out as well. Discuss how you will begin: What claim did you come up with? What are your main points? What evidence are you planning on including?

Today’s Teaching Point Writers do more than simply plan what they will be writing about. They also pause to set writing goals. It helps to ask yourself these questions: What should I work on this time? What specific goals can I set that I can tackle right now? Tools like checklists, anchor charts, and mentor texts can help you set goals. Create 1+ writing goals to work on for this unit using the checklist and handout provided today.

Flash-Drafting a Position Paper One goal for you today is to flash-draft, or quickly write, a complete position paper. A position paper is one form of an argument essay. Good position papers Introduce the audience to the topic State a clear claim supported by reasons and evidence Strive to be fair to other viewpoints

Other Tools to Help in the Drafting Process Another tool that may be helpful is to use mentor texts. Mentor texts will help you not just set goals, but also figure out how to work toward them. Let’s look at the article “Speech to the School Board” together Use these to aid in modeling your writing after an accomplished author if you find yourself getting stuck.

Time to Work! You are ready to begin drafting once you have a crystal clear vision of what you’re working on (outline complete from yesterday and claim written). Get the goal-setting work done. Turn your goal sheet in. Use your position as a lens to gather evidence from the articles/mentor texts you’ve been given. Pay attention to where you find your evidence (start a bibliography page). Begin drafting your position paper! 1. Write a strong introduction/lead Hook the reader (explain why your argument is significant or provide a compelling fact, statistic, or anecdote). Provide specific context (backstory) for your position and other positions. Name your position clearly (and possibly state other positions). Orient your readers to the overall line of argument you will develop. 2. Begin drafting the body of your essay if you have time. Don’t forget to include your evidence and where you found it!