Hook & Introduction
This part of the introduction grabs the reader’s attention.
What is a hook?
This sentence states your claim and two reasons.
What is a thesis statement?
This supports your claim with facts, examples, or quotations.
What is evidence?
This explains how your evidence proves your claim.
What is reasoning?
This presents the opposing side of your argument.
What is a counterclaim?
Give one example of a strong hook for an argumentative essay about school uniforms.
What is “Imagine walking into school and seeing every student dressed exactly the same”?
Identify the claim in this thesis: "Schools should start later because students need more sleep and perform better academically."
What is "Schools should start later"?
Which is stronger evidence: a personal opinion or a statistic from research?
What is a statistic from research?
What is missing: "According to research, students focus better. This is why school should change."
What is explanation of HOW the research connects to the claim?
This explains why the counterclaim is weak or incorrect.
What is a rebuttal?
This section explains the topic and provides context before the thesis.
What is background information?
What are the two reasons in this thesis: "Homework should be limited because it reduces stress and improves family time"?
What are "reduces stress" and "improves family time"?
Provide one example of textual evidence for an essay about longer recess.
(Example) What is "According to a 2022 study, students who had 30 minutes of recess showed improved focus"?
Complete the reasoning: "This evidence shows that __________ because __________."
(Teacher evaluates logical explanation.)
Provide one counterclaim for an essay arguing against homework.
(Example) What is "Homework helps students practice skills"?
Identify the problem in this introduction and explain what is missing: "School uniforms are important. They help students."
What is the thesis statement and clear reasons?
Revise this thesis to include two clear reasons: "Students should have phones."
(Example) What is "Students should have phones because they improve communication and increase safety"?
Identify the error: "I think uniforms are good because they look nice."
What is it lacks strong evidence and relies on opinion?
Why is reasoning sometimes called the ‘so what’ part of the paragraph?
What is it explains why the evidence matters?
Why does including a counterargument strengthen your essay?
What is it shows you considered multiple perspectives and strengthens credibility?
Rewrite this weak hook to make it more engaging: "School is important."
Tips: A strong hook must grab attention with a question, statistic, or vivid statement.
Explain why this is NOT a strong thesis: "There are many opinions about school lunches."
What is it does not take a clear position or provide reasons?
Explain why evidence must be cited or introduced properly.
What is to show credibility and connect it clearly to the claim?
Identify the weak reasoning: "This proves my claim because I said so."
What is it lacks logical explanation and connection?
Rewrite this rebuttal to make it stronger: "That idea is wrong."
(Example) What is "Although homework provides practice, excessive homework increases stress and reduces meaningful learning time"?