Week 6

Best Practices in Writing Instruction

By: Steve Graham
Chapters 6 and 7

Chapter 6 of The Writing Thief delves into the intricacies of argumentative writing as a
communicative and interactive act that aims to resolve differences of opinion. The author's
description of this type of writing emphasizes the importance of considering diverse perspectives
and exchanging views. The chapter stresses the importance of teachers introducing
argumentative writing using topics that students are interested in and invested in. This
encourages students to consider and appreciate differing perspectives, making argumentative
writing more dialogic in nature.
On the other hand, Chapter 7 of Best Practices in Writing Instruction discusses five
principles for effective writing instruction. These principles include choosing a genre that
supports the educational purpose, providing writing prompts that elicit learning strategies,
teaching writing strategies, incorporating brief, frequent writing activities, and considering
differentiation. Both chapters provide crucial insights into the effective teaching of writing and
are especially relevant for argumentative writing, which can be a challenging topic to teach.
As a teacher, I believe that the tips given in Chapter 6 can be particularly helpful for
students who may find argumentative writing difficult or intimidating. In order to ensure that
students are comfortable and confident in their writing, I would choose topics that are relevant
and relatable to their interests. This would encourage them to develop their arguments and
research the topic further, ultimately leading to a more well-rounded understanding of the topic
at hand.
Furthermore, to make argumentative writing more interactive, I would encourage
students to share their work and engage in debates. This would give them the opportunity to
exchange views and consider opposing perspectives, which is an essential aspect of
argumentative writing. Ultimately, teaching argumentative writing can be a fun and engaging
experience for both students and teachers, as it encourages critical thinking and helps students
develop their own unique perspectives. Additionally, by incorporating argumentative writing in
various subjects, students can see the real-world relevance of this type of writing and how it can
be used to communicate ideas and persuade others in different areas of their lives.

Graham, Steve, et al. Best Practices in Writing Instruction. Guilford Press, 2019.