New Writing Course: Position Argument
Looking for a good argument? Most of us like to avoid heated conflicts, but an effective argument — the kind that offers a reasoned defense and shows awareness of other views — can actually draw people together in constructive ways. Over at Across the Page Courses, I’ve added a 4-week writing course on developing a position argument. It’s the fourth module in Academic Writing I, released here as an independent writing unit, without the discussion forums included in the longer course.
Writing a Position Argument is for homeschoolers in 11th or 12th grade who are ready to begin writing from research. It focuses on an entry-level research project asking students to gather information on a current issue, take a position, and write an argument in support. Over the course of the project, students are introduced to:
- A database of current controversies with background information and a rundown of the major arguments on different sides
- Basics of MLA Style documentation
- The logical components of a written argument
Video lessons, links to resources, and supporting materials set students up to complete the coursework independently, with parents providing feedback on the first draft and grading the final essay. Rubrics are provided. As with my other writing courses, I ask students to purchase The Little Seagull Handbook (4E ebook & learning tools), a low-cost writing handbook with online access to instructional videos, sample papers, and an interactive practice tool called InQuizitive. All in all it’s a useful resource for any budding writer.
Curious? You can check out the course here.
