Name: ______________________________ Date: ___________________
Write an Argument Essay
In an argument essay, you express an opinion and try to convince readers to agree with
you. Follow the steps below to write a strong argument essay.
READING AND WRITING
POWER FOR TEENS
MAGAZINE
Argument Writing HL
“Is It OK to Sneak Food Into the Movies?,” pages 30-31
November 2017
©2017 BY SCHOLASTIC INC. TEACHERS MAY MAKE COPIES OF THIS PAGE TO DISTRIBUTE TO THEIR STUDENTS.
Continued on next page
STEP 1: DECIDE WHAT YOU THINK
Consider the debate question: Is it OK to sneak food into the movies?
STEP 2: WRITE A TOPIC SENTENCE
The topic sentence tells readers what your essay will be about. It should clearly and strongly state the
opinion you expressed in Step 1.
STEP 3: SUMMARIZE THE ISSUE
Tell readers a bit about the issue. Don’t focus on your point of view. Explain the issue as a whole.
Check the box next to the point of view you will support in your essay.
Yes! Movie theater snacks are unhealthy and expensive.
No! It’s rude to break the theater’s rules.
Your topic sentence:
Your summary of the issue:
©2017 BY SCHOLASTIC INC. TEACHERS MAY MAKE COPIES OF THIS PAGE TO DISTRIBUTE TO THEIR STUDENTS.
Name: ______________________________ Date: ___________________
Write an Argument Essay
(continued)
READING AND WRITING
POWER FOR TEENS
MAGAZINE
Argument Writing HL
“Is It OK to Sneak Food Into the Movies?,” pages 30-31
November 2017
STEP 6: WRITE A CONCLUSION
This is the last paragraph of your essay. Write a few sentences that remind readers of your main points.
STEP 4: SUPPORT YOUR OPINION
Write three reasons or pieces of evidence that help make your point.
STEP 5: MENTION THE OTHER SIDE
Why might someone disagree with you on this issue? Write one reason someone might give to support
the other side of the argument. Then explain why you think that reason is weak or wrong.
1.
2.
3.
Argument for the other side:
Reason that argument is weak or wrong: