Triple Q

Argument Writing for Middle School

These three units were developed by the Triple Q project at Pennsylvania State University and University of Pittsburgh.

The goal of this sequence of units is to help students deveop argument writing skills. Each unit begins by engaging students in  content-focused discussions of model argument texts. Next, students examine features and quality of the arguments in the texts. Quickwrites that elicit written responses to the texts are included in many lessons, and each unit culminates in students writing their own argument essay supported by evidence in the model texts.

The approach to questioning and discussion in these units is called Questioning the Author. The project name, Triple Q, refers to three types of queries that are used to guide classroom discussions and support students as they are planning, drafting, and revising their essays:

• Gist Queries help students develop deep-level comprehension of text.

• Argument Queries help students examine and assess the quality of argument elements.

• Language Choice Queries help students examine how authors use specific words to influence the reader's reaction.

Student Book • Teacher Edition