Writing argumentative responses to quotes have worked REALLY well in my classes. First– I teach students how to qualify an argument. Next–I have students defend, challenge, or qualify a quote. After that–students are expected to defend, challenge or qualify a set of quotes on a given topic. Here are the exact activities I use. I am still developing these resources, so stay tuned. Just thought I’d share. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Fi6uDVh_xTKS3dfTPjtCFjEXn0KI-PRcrcTCQxux2ho/edit?usp=sharing

I have my students write the following prompt as a piece of creative nonfiction. I encourage students to dazzle their audience with a story. Giving students the choice to choose their prompt really helped with this writing prompt. Let students read the prompt options, reminisce, then write! These letters are often sincere and well-written. I love reading student writing when the audience is other students. I give this task with one month of school left.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GiqiQC97gbkv593qI5OGlMdHKwM0CvRZi6HluNwjd4k/edit