Argument Writing Lesson: Strengthening Claims | CER Grades 6–8

Help students turn basic ideas into strong, debatable claims.

This ready-to-use argument writing lesson for grades 6–8 teaches students how to evaluate weak and vague claims, identify what makes a claim effective, and revise their ideas into clear, focused, debatable statements.

Building directly on the concepts introduced in Lesson 1, students begin to understand what makes a claim worth arguing, and how stronger claims lead to stronger arguments.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

• Teacher Guide with step-by-step lesson directions

• Slide deck lesson

• Claim Glow-Up student activity

• Reflection prompts and exit ticket

• Differentiation suggestions

• Suggested pacing for a 45–60 minute class

• Hands-on activity for pairs or small groups

• Opportunities to revise weak claims into stronger statements

STUDENTS WILL PRACTICE

• Identifying what makes a claim strong and effective

• Revising weak or vague claims

• Writing clear, focused, debatable statements

• Connecting claims to evidence and reasoning

• Evaluating and discussing different examples of arguments

WHY TEACHERS LOVE IT

✔ Low prep — Everything is ready to print and teach
✔ Engaging — Includes a hands-on revision activity
✔ Clear structure — Easy to follow and implement
✔ Builds on prior learning — Designed to follow the introductory CER lesson
✔ Standards-aligned — Supports CCSS W.6.1, W.7.1, and W.8.1

PERFECT FOR

• Continuing an argument writing unit

• Writing workshop

• Small-group instruction

• Review or test prep

• A standalone claims lesson

• Building toward CER writing

PART OF THE COMPLETE CER UNIT

This lesson is Lesson 2 of the complete Middle School CER Argument Writing Unit. Use it on its own or combine it with the full unit for a complete, step-by-step argument writing sequence.

One focused lesson to help students move from “I have an idea” to “I can make a strong argument.”