Activity title: Scaffolded Practice: Formulating an Argument

Introduction screen:

• Screen title: Thesis
• Overview or introduction: At first, writing an argument may seem overwhelming or complicated. But if you break your argument into distinct pieces and complete them in order, drafting an entire argument will feel more manageable.
• Text entry:
  • Instruction for student text entry: Begin by writing a draft of your thesis statement.
  • Student text-entry placeholder: In this paper, I argue that…
• Tip or student support: Strong Thesis Statements: A good thesis statement presents your topic and claim about that topic in a single sentence.
  • Make sure your topic is neither too broad nor too narrow.
  • To develop your claim, choose a position that you will be able to support with evidence.

Assignment screen:

• Screen title: Add Evidence
• Overview or introduction: Once you’ve established your claim, the next step is to support your position with evidence.
• Text entry:
  • Instruction for student text entry: Add a piece of evidence (a fact, a statistic, a quotation, or an example) that supports your claim.
  • Student text-entry placeholder: The fact is…
• Text entry:
  • Instruction for student text entry: Add a second piece of evidence that supports your claim.
  • Student text-entry placeholder: Four out of five experts agree that…
• Text entry:
  • Instruction for student text entry: Add a third piece of evidence that supports your claim.
  • Student text-entry placeholder: This expert says…
• Tip or student support: Strong Evidence: To support your argument, use objective evidence that can be checked and verified. To gather your facts, statistics, examples, or quotations, check in reputable sources like encyclopedias or academic journals.