CD_Checklists_ARGUMENT_G5.

indd 3

Grade 5 Opinion Writing

Argument

The writer’s The writer states his

introduction provides Until two weeks ago, recess was really fun. But since the recess claim clearly and
a claim/thesis and ladies said football was too dangerous and the school banned it, forecasts the reasons
helps get the reader now kids just sit around on the grass. We’re too old for the swings he will provide to
to care about the support it.
topic. He has engaged and there is nothing else to do. Football is not dangerous. It is
the reader not just great for kids! We should have football at recess because it is good
The writer used
by including a jazzy exercise, because everyone can play, and because it will help us learn
fact or question, transition words and
important things. phrases to connect
but by considering
what is important
First of all, there should be football during recess because it is evidence back to
about the topic and great exercise. When you play football, you get to run, throw, and his reasons, such as
writing to reveal that catch. The quarterback throws the ball and everyone else runs to this shows that. He
significance. also helps readers
catch it and tries to get a touchdown. Without football, everyone follow his thinking
just sits. “Football is great exercise,” says Sam Rapoport, a senior (with phrases such
The writer grouped as another reason,
manager for USA Football. Teachers and kids could play and
information and the most important
related ideas into everyone would get more exercise. Mrs. Obama says that kids aren’t
reason), to show
paragraphs. He put getting enough exercise and we are getting obese. All of this shows what happened
these paragraphs in that we need football so we don’t grow up to be unhealthy and get (using words like
an order that feels consequently or
diseases.
logical and best because of ) and
supports his claim. Another reason why we should have football is because
to be more precise
everyone can play. You don’t need to spend money on fancy (with words such as
The writer gave equipment or uniforms. Football will not cost the school any money. specifically and in
reasons to support Football has big teams so it doesn’t leave anyone out like other particular ).
his opinion. These games. Some people think football is only for boys, but that’s not
reasons are parallel true. I sometimes play with my sisters and even my mom plays! The writer seems to
and they don’t have made deliberate
overlap. The writer Everyone in our class wants to play. Out of 25 kids, all 25 said they
word choices to affect
included evidence wanted football. Everyone can play. the reader. He may
(facts, examples, The most important reason why we should have football is have used metaphors
quotations, micro- because it will help us learn important things. For example, we can or conjured images to
stories, information) to convey ideas.
support his claim. learn to solve problems. Like when a play is made and everyone
argues because you aren’t sure what team gets the point. In an
The writer used
The writer discussed article a parent named Christine McAndrews says that football is a scholarly voice
and unpacked the good for kids. She says that “It’s great for their social skills and they throughout. His
ways his evidence resolve things on their own. It’s good for them.” She’s a parent and sentence structure
supports his claim. is varied to create a
she thinks football is great! Football can teach us a lot.
pace and tone for the
There should be football at recess. We will get more exercise,
The writer used different sections of
commas to set off we will play more, and we will learn important skills. I’m starting to the piece.
introductory parts of realize that when we were little we could get hurt on the swings or
sentences. He also slide. Football is just like the slides and the swings. As long as we are
used punctuation to careful, we can be safe. Please take the football ban away and let us
avoid fragmented
or run-on sentences play again.
and used punctuation Sources:
correctly when citing • “First Lady Fights Fat in Kids.” TIME for Kids (2010)
sources. • “Flag Football: It’s the Girls’ Turn to Play.” Washington Post (2011)

May be photocopied for classroom use. © 2013 by Lucy Calkins and Colleagues from the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project from Units of Study in Opinion, Information, and Narrative Writing
(firsthand: Portsmouth, NH). use. © 2014 by Lucy Calkins and Colleagues from the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project from Units of Study in Argument, Information, and Narrative Writing,
4/29/14 2:59 PM

May be photocopied for classroom

Grades 6–8 (firsthand, Portsmouth, NH).