Argument Writing: Key
Elements for 9th Graders
What is Argument Writing?
At its core, argument writing is the art of using evidence and logic to persuade a reader
that a specific claim is valid. It isn't about "winning a fight" or shouting the loudest; it’s about
building a sturdy bridge of reasoning that leads the reader to your conclusion.
While it shares similarities with persuasive writing, argument writing is more formal and
relies heavily on data, facts, and logic rather than just emotional appeals.
The Argument: Key Components
The Claim: Your Main Point
● This is your thesis. It is a clear, debatable
statement that takes a stand on an issue.
The Claim: Example
Many parents worry about how exposure to technology
might affect toddlers developmentally. We know our
preschoolers are picking up new social and cognitive skills
The main claim of this text is
at a stunning pace, and we don’t want hours spent glued to that
an iPad to impede that. But adolescence is an equally
we are failing to pay enough
important period of rapid development, and too few of us
attention to the negative
are paying attention to how our teenagers’ use of impact of intense technology
technology — much more intense and intimate than a 3- and social media use on the
developmental health of
year-old playing with dad’s iPhone — is affecting them. In
teenagers.
fact, experts worry that the social media and text messages
that have become so integral to teenage life are promoting
anxiety and lowering self-esteem.
The Claim: Example
At Alpha School, students complete all their academic work
in just two hours. They spend 30 minutes a day on each of
four core subjects — math, reading, language, and science.
Oh, and there are no teachers, either. Instead, artificial
intelligence leads the way. The main claim of this text is that
The learning at Alpha School looks like something you’d see AI-driven, personalized learning
on “The Jetsons.” With the help of AI, kids learn math from is a superior educational model
Albert Einstein and civil rights from Martin Luther King. that can outperform traditional
They learn at their own pace, with one-on-one instruction
from AI tutors.
schooling while significantly
increasing efficiency.
And the students are thriving — outperforming their peers
in traditional schools by leaps and bounds.
It’s a groundbreaking approach to personalized learning
that could redefine education, giving children extra hours
each day to pursue their true passions.
The Claim: Types & Examples
The Claim: Types & Examples
The Claim: Types & Examples
EVIDENCE
The "bricks" of your bridge. This includes statistics, expert opinions, historical facts, and
primary sources.
Warrants (Reasoning)
This explains how your evidence proves your claim. It connects the dots for the reader so
they don't have to guess your logic.
Warrants (Reasoning): EXAMPLE
Is a hotdog a sandwich?
Choose a side and
come up with 3 reasons
why?
Counterclaims & Rebuttals
A sophisticated writer acknowledges the "other side." By identifying a common opposing
view (the counterclaim) and explaining why it is flawed (the rebuttal), you make your own
position look even stronger.
Counterclaims & Rebuttals: EXAMPLES
No
Explain
why?
The Basic Structure
Most academic arguments follow a standard flow to ensure the logic is easy to track:
1. Introduction: Hook the reader, provide context on the issue, and end with a clear claim.
1. Body Paragraphs: Each should focus on one supporting reason, backed by evidence and explained
with warrants.
1. The Counter-Argument: Address the opposition to show you’ve done your homework and aren't biased.
1. Conclusion: Restate the claim in a new way, summarize the main points, and leave the reader with a
"so what?"—the broader significance of the topic.
Why It Matters
In the real world, argument writing is everywhere. It’s in legal briefs, scientific
journals, op-eds, and even business proposals. It teaches you how to think
critically, evaluate the quality of information, and communicate your ideas
without relying on "because I said so."