Remember the Five Paragraph Essay from English class? If not, it's a commonly used argumentative essay framework, where a student states a claim in an introductory paragraph, supports it with three points in body paragraphs, and then concludes.
The process of making a structured and supported argument is a great way for students to synthesize and bring personal meaning to their studies. While the format is used extensively in English classes, it is hardly being used at all in other subjects, but I think it's time that changes. For example, what if we asked students to write an essay reflecting on why a topic matters? Examples:
What might the world be like today if the American Revolution hadn't happened?
What are the three most egregious grammar mistakes that a writer can make?
What is the value in studying Algebra?
Why is Potassium an important element in human life?
The process of making a structured and supported argument is a great way for students to synthesize and bring personal meaning to their studies. While the format is used extensively in English classes, it is hardly being used at all in other subjects, but I think it's time that changes. For example, what if we asked students to write an essay reflecting on why a topic matters? Examples:
What might the world be like today if the American Revolution hadn't happened?
What are the three most egregious grammar mistakes that a writer can make?
What is the value in studying Algebra?
Why is Potassium an important element in human life?
Prompts like these are perfect moments for students to deliver arguments using a Five-Paragraph Essay format, and they benefit learning by:
Assignments like these could be incredible summative teaching tools, and I think should be used more often. Would love to hear whether you agree or not, and if you have any thoughts that might make these assignments better!
- Asking students to draw from prior knowledge, research, and synthesize information to determine what is most important and why,
- Promoting long-term retention as students need to grapple with the material as they develop and support their thesis,
- Being more motivating than studying for a test, as the assignment honors student voice, allows for choice, and relates the learned information to their lives (cog. science article).
Assignments like these could be incredible summative teaching tools, and I think should be used more often. Would love to hear whether you agree or not, and if you have any thoughts that might make these assignments better!