Need an effective way to help students choose an argumentative writing topic? After witnessing topic struggle issues too many times, I created scaffolded graphic organizers to help students choose a research topic, turn it into a question, and funnel it from broad to narrow. RESOURCE CONTENTS: This teaching resource contains four graphic organizers. One is a funnel that will help students sift their broad topic (like sports or video games) to make it more specific. An example is included that you can use to model for students. The second graphic organizer helps students analyze the strength of research questions that will lead to powerful thesis statements. A third graphic organizer can be used in conjunction with the funnel or by itself. It helps students to create research questions based upon their broad topic of interest. After creating research questions, you can ask students to write possible thesis statements. Again, examples are included so that you can model expectations for students. A fourth graphic organizer is included to help students start generating topics. It's helpful to use when conferring with students who haven't chosen a writing topic yet. Included, you'll also have a link to a video mini lesson you can use for your own reference or share with students. This video models the reflective why process for narrowing a topic and turning it into a thesis statement. Also, you will find an editable list of argumentative writing topics. Struggling writers and those who lack confidence sometimes appreciate having a list from which to choose. You can give the list to all students or provide it upon request. The second editable list features some example research questions students can use while brainstorming. Finally, you'll have a creative topic brainstorming page that you can use to generate a class list of topics your students might be interested in. FORMAT? This resource is included as both a secure PDF and Google Slides™ activities. The content is not editable, but the Slides are interactive for student use. You can read about how I use all of the resources in this teaching tool on my blog: How to Help Teens Choose Research Topics: A Scaffolded Approach. Use these argumentative topic choice and research question resources with your secondary level students to set them up for success. THIS RESOURCE IS ALSO INCLUDED IN A LARGER ARGUMENTATIVE WRITING BUNDLE FOR GRADES 7-12. Looking for additional writing tools to add to your repertoire? Find these in my store: Argumentative Thesis Statement Activities Argumentative Writing Introduction Paragraph Mini Unit Argumentative Writing Body Paragraph Mini Unit Argumentative Writing Conclusion Paragraph Lesson Writing Pre-Assessment Color-Coded Essay Graphic Organizer Plagiarism Mini Unit And more here! Stay in touch: Facebook Pinterest Blog Instagram ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A Couple Tips: * Be sure to click the "follow" button that is located next to my picture so that you can hear about sales and new products! * By providing feedback on your purchased products, you can earn points, which ultimately translate into cash toward future purchases...bonus! Plus, I'd love to hear from you. ©Reading & Writing Haven All rights reserved by author. Duplication limited to single classroom use only. Electronic distribution limited to single classroom use only.
