This document provides guidance for a 5th grade persuasive writing project. It explains that students will be assigned a proposition to argue either for or against, such as whether dogs are better than cats. It lists several potential propositions and instructs students to write a thesis statement stating their position. The document outlines what a good persuasive essay should include, such as understanding both sides of an issue and developing at least two well-supported reasons for their argument. It also provides tips for research, note taking, and presenting opposing arguments.

1. Persuade & Debate
A 5th Grade Persuasive Writing Project

2. What’s a Proposition?
A proposition is a statement. In this persuasive
writing project you will be assigned a position either
for or against a specific proposition.
For example, if you are assigned to be against the
proposition that “Dogs are better than cats.” Then
you would be arguing that the proposition is wrong
and that cats are actually better than dogs.
If you are assigned to be for the proposition that
“Dogs are better than cats” then you would be
arguing that the proposition is right and that dogs
are actually better than cats.

3. Propositions
1. Zoos do more harm than good.
2. Medical testing on animals does
more harm than good.
3. The United States of America
should rely on alternative energy
sources instead of fossil fuels
4. Television is a bad influence on
children
5. Schools should ban junk food
6. It is unethical to eat meat

4. Once you have your
proposition you’re ready to
write your Thesis Statement.
This is basically 1-2
sentences stating your
position.

5. Setting the Stage
What should we see in a good persuasive essay?

6. To write a
good
persuasive
essay, you
need to. . .

7. Step 1: Study both sides of an issue
 The first thing you need to do is a little research
so that you understand an issue.
 Make sure to use reliable references:
 Who wrote it?
 Why did they write it?
 Is it supported by facts & evidence?
 Does it come from a reputable organization?
 .edu & .gov = reputable
 .org = usually reputable, but could have an agenda
 .com = sometimes reputable, but be careful
 Once you understand an issue you can come
up with arguments to support your position.

8. How to take Notes
Research Writing

9. Organizing notes for research
 Label your notes with the specific date and class in
which the research is being conducted
 Create a heading that explains your topic. Note that it is
not the topic that you are researching that should go
here, but an aspect of your topic that the notes you are
recording are specifically about (i.e., battles of WWII,
foreign policies of President Obama, state bird of Texas)
 Think of specific questions that you have before you
research to guide you in your searching. (i.e., Which
battles of WWII had the most civilian casualties? What
effect do uniforms have on student performance on
tests? Where kind of climate does the Texas state bird
prefer for living conditions? )

10. How to record information
 Only copy necessary information to your subtopic in your notes.
Necessary information are details that pertain to the purpose of your
writing. For example, if your goal for writing a research paper on World
War II is to show the unification of the allied forces, then notes on
Germany’s specific alliances and war tactics may not be as relevant.
Fight the urge to write down all information.
 DO NOT WRITE IN COMPLETE SENTENCES! Notes should be short,
incomplete sentences that provide details not sentences.
 Paraphrase or summarize information. Read pages or an article and
paraphrase (put it into your own words) or summarize (identify the
main ideas). Be accurate.
 Identify direct quotations with quotation marks and the author of the
quotation.

11. Tips for Easy Note Taking
 Use different color pens/pencils/highlighters to signal
different information
 Summarize your notes when you finish so that you
remember what information is on that notes page
without having to re-read your notes in their entirety.
 Spend at least 15 minutes at the end of each
research day to collect your notes, organize them,
and evaluate your strategy based on the new
material you gathered.

12. Note Taking Strategies
Three different ways to take research notes.

13. Method 1: Index Cards
Taking notes on index cards gives you the flexibility to change the
order of your notes and group them together easily.
• Write the subtopic heading of the note at the top of each
note card.
• Write only one main point on a note card.
• Cite (or make a note of) the source of the information
immediately to save time later!

14. Method 2: Cornell Notes
Divide a piece of paper into three sections. The large box to the
right is for writing notes. Your key points can be translated into the
main ideas of each of your body paragraphs. Skip a line between
ideas and topics. Use point form. Use abbreviations whenever
possible.

15. Method 3: Patterning
This method could include mind maps, flowcharts or diagrams.

16. Step #2: Develop Logical Reasons
As you research your issue and
take your research notes, you
should also be developing at
least two logical, well-supported
reasons why people should
either be for or against the
proposition.
Once you’ve completed your
research, you should be able to
support each of your reasons with
facts & examples.

17. Step 3: Present Both Sides
You also need to be thinking about
what your opponents might use to
argue against you. Think about one
argument they might use and
present a counter-example:
My opponents might argue that
cats make better companions
because they are quiet. However,
many breeds of dog make very little
noise at all. For example. . .
You’ll use this counter-example as
your “Main Reason #3”

18. Step 4: Conclude the argument
Write a quick, 1-2 sentence
conclusion that summarizes
your position.