Composition: Composing Multi Paragraph Argumentative Texts With Evidence And Counterclaims (TEKS.ELA.6.11.C)
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Texas 6th Grade ELA › Composition: Composing Multi Paragraph Argumentative Texts With Evidence And Counterclaims (TEKS.ELA.6.11.C)
Students at our school should probably have a little more recess because breaks are nice and people like them. When we rush from class to class, it feels tiring, so a longer recess would help somehow. I think if we went outside a bit more, students might be happier, and happy students could maybe learn better. Also, exercise is good, and recess is a kind of exercise, so that seems helpful. Sometimes kids argue less after a break, I've noticed. If teachers had a few more minutes to set up lessons, that could be useful too. Overall, more recess just seems like a good idea, and there aren't many reasons not to try it soon. It would probably make our days smoother and less stressful.
Which revision best strengthens the argument?
Replace the thesis with: Recess is super fun, and everyone loves it, so we should have way more of it!
Add: According to a 2019 study of elementary schools, classes that received 20 extra minutes of daily recess showed higher on-task behavior and fewer discipline referrals.
Repeat the claim again in the conclusion to emphasize it.
Insert an example about favorite video games students play at home.
Explanation
Choice B adds credible evidence that links more recess to improved behavior, directly supporting the claim. The others rely on emotion, irrelevance, or repetition.
School uniforms might be sort of helpful, though I'm not completely sure. Some people say they make mornings easier, and that could be true for some families. If everyone wore the same thing, maybe students would worry less about outfits, which seems fine. Uniforms can look neat, and neat is good, I guess. I have heard that rules are simpler when clothes are similar, but that is just something I heard. Still, uniforms might reduce distractions a little, and teachers like fewer distractions. It is not the biggest issue ever, yet it could be worth thinking about sometime. Overall, uniforms could be okay, and we could try them and see what happens next year. That way, we learn if they help without changing everything first.
Which revision best strengthens the argument?
Add: Uniforms are amazing and anyone who dislikes them is wrong.
Insert a paragraph about how cafeteria food should improve.
Repeat uniforms are helpful at the end for emphasis.
Address a counterclaim by adding: Some worry uniforms limit expression, but schools can allow choices in shoes and accessories; one district's report showed fewer dress-code violations and less teasing after adopting uniforms.
Explanation
Choice D acknowledges a counterclaim and refutes it with a reasonable compromise and specific evidence, which strengthens the argument logically. The others add emotion, irrelevance, or repetition.
Homework should maybe be reduced a little because students are busy after school. Many of us do activities, and it gets hard sometimes to finish everything. If teachers assigned slightly less, we might feel less stressed and that seems better. I think free time matters, and families like to spend time together, which is nice. People say homework builds responsibility, and that could be true, but maybe too much is not great. I have noticed friends staying up late, and that is not ideal. A smaller amount would probably still help us practice without making nights so long. Overall, reducing homework a bit might be a good plan for our school. Then students could rest more and arrive ready to learn each day at school.
Which revision best strengthens the argument?
Add: In a survey of 120 sixth graders at our school, 68% reported sleeping less than eight hours on heavy-homework nights, and average quiz scores rose after a week with lighter homework.
Write that homework is the worst thing ever in bold.
Include an anecdote about a cousin who dislikes chores.
Repeat the phrase reduce homework in the introduction and conclusion.
Explanation
Choice A provides concrete data connecting workload to sleep and learning, which logically supports the claim. The other options rely on emotion, irrelevance, or repetition.
Starting school a bit later could be fine, I suppose. Mornings feel early to many students, and a small delay might help, but I am not totally certain. If the bell rang later, kids might be less sleepy, which sounds good. Teachers might like it too, or maybe not; I'm just guessing. Buses and practices would have to move, and that seems complicated. Still, later starts might improve attention somewhat, at least in theory. I have heard that some places tried it, and it went okay. It probably wouldn't fix everything, but it could make days feel smoother. Overall, a slightly later start time might be worth trying to see what happens. Even small changes could help students focus and participate more consistently each day.
Which revision best strengthens the argument?
Say later start times are awesome and will make everyone instantly happy.
Add a story about a weekend soccer game that started late.
Include: A pediatric association recommends middle schools start after 8:30, noting that later starts improve attendance and grades; also acknowledge scheduling concerns by proposing a pilot with athletics adjusted.
Repeat the main claim in the first and last paragraphs.
Explanation
Choice C adds authoritative evidence and addresses a counterclaim with a feasible solution, which strengthens the argument. The others rely on emotion, irrelevance, or repetition.
Schools should consider making lunch longer because it seems like a good idea. Right now, students rush through eating, and that cannot be the best way to learn. A longer lunch could improve the school day in different ways, although I am not totally sure which ones matter most. People probably would like it, and happier students could help the school atmosphere be nicer overall.
Also, longer lunch might give students time for things they need, like talking to friends or getting help. I think this change would be positive. It just feels like more minutes would fix problems. Some people might disagree, but I believe they would get used to it. In conclusion, lunch should be a little longer because that sounds truly reasonable.
Which revision best strengthens the argument?
Add: Research from the state health department found that schools with 30-minute lunches saw fewer nurse visits and higher afternoon assignment completion.
Add: Longer lunch would be awesome and make everyone super happy!
Add: For example, our soccer team sometimes practices late, so we should change practice days.
Add: Lunch should be longer; lunch should be longer.
Explanation
A strengthens the argument by adding concrete evidence that longer lunches improve student health and productivity, which logically supports the claim. B relies on emotional appeal only. C is irrelevant to lunch length. D repeats the claim without support. Extension: Write a counterclaim and rebuttal in 3–4 sentences. Scaffold: Use frames like "Some people say ___, but this is wrong because ___." and "Another view is ___; however, ___." Enrichment: Compare this argument's persuasiveness to a real-world editorial and evaluate which uses stronger evidence and reasoning.
Schools might want to require uniforms because it could make things simpler. When everyone looks similar, it seems like there would be fewer distractions. I have noticed that mornings are already stressful, and choosing outfits probably does not help. Uniforms sound like a plan that might make school feel calmer, though I cannot say for certain. It just seems like a path that could reduce problems.
Some people would be fine with uniforms, and others would not. I think the idea deserves a try. Buying a couple of outfits might be easier than finding clothes all the time. If the school started this, we could see what happens and adjust later. Uniforms could be useful for reasons, and we should consider them as a choice.
Which revision best strengthens the argument?
Add: Uniforms are amazing and will make us all best friends!
Add: Some worry uniforms cost too much, but schools can run swap days and provide assistance, keeping family expenses similar to ordinary clothes.
Add: For example, the cafeteria could serve tacos on Fridays.
Add: We should have uniforms because we should have uniforms.
Explanation
B addresses a likely counterclaim (cost) and offers a practical solution, which strengthens the logic of the argument. A is an emotional appeal. C is irrelevant to uniforms. D merely repeats the claim. Extension: Write a counterclaim and rebuttal in 3–4 sentences. Scaffold: Use frames like "Some people say ___, but this is wrong because ___." and "Another view is ___; however, ___." Enrichment: Compare persuasiveness with a real-world editorial, noting which uses stronger evidence and addresses counterclaims effectively.
Our school should start a community garden, which seems like it would be nice. A garden could add color and maybe improve the campus. Students might enjoy seeing plants grow, and it could make people smile. I think having one would show we care about the environment, although I do not have specific facts. Still, a garden sounds like a pleasant addition that could help.
It could give students time outside, and perhaps classes could visit. I believe the garden would inspire everyone to work together. We could put it near the courtyard and see how it goes. Some people might worry it would be too much work, but maybe volunteers would step in. Overall, the garden idea appears truly reasonable and worth a try.
Which revision best strengthens the argument?
Add: A garden would be super pretty and magical!
Add: For example, our basketball scoreboard is very old.
Add: Last year, a nearby middle school harvested 200 pounds of produce from its garden and donated it to a food pantry.
Add: We should build a garden, a garden should be built.
Explanation
C provides specific evidence that a school garden can produce real community benefits, logically supporting the proposal. A is an emotional appeal. B is irrelevant. D repeats the claim. Extension: Write a counterclaim and rebuttal in 3–4 sentences. Scaffold: Use frames like "Some people say ___, but this is wrong because ___." and "Another view is ___; however, ___." Enrichment: Compare this argument's persuasiveness to a real-world editorial on community projects, focusing on evidence and reasoning.
School should start later in the morning because that seems better for students. Waking up early is tough, and many of us feel tired. If the day started a bit later, classes might feel calmer and more focused, although I am not completely sure. It just looks like a smart change that could help people feel less rushed and maybe improve the mood.
Some families could have schedule concerns, and the bus routes might need changes. Still, I think a later start would turn out fine. We could test it for a quarter and see. Students would probably adapt, and teachers could adjust plans. This could make mornings feel more manageable overall. In the end, starting later sounds like a workable idea that deserves consideration.
Which revision best strengthens the argument?
Add: Later mornings would be amazing and comfy!
Add: For example, our art room needs more paintbrushes.
Add: Start later so we can start later.
Add: Some worry about buses and activities; districts that moved start times staggered routes and adjusted practices so programs continued successfully.
Explanation
D directly addresses a key counterclaim (transportation and activities) with a realistic solution, strengthening the reasoning. A is emotional. B is irrelevant. C repeats the claim. Extension: Write a counterclaim and rebuttal in 3–4 sentences. Scaffold: Use frames like "Some people say ___, but this is wrong because ___." and "Another view is ___; however, ___." Enrichment: Evaluate this argument against a real-world editorial on school start times, judging which is more persuasive and why.