Standard: 6-8.WHST.1c – Use words, phrases, and clauses to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among claim(s), counterclaims, reasons, and evidence.
Grade level: Grade 6-8
Subject: English Language Arts
Domain: Writing: History, Science & Technical Subjects
Teacher Overview
This standard focuses on helping students create cohesive and clear relationships among claims, counterclaims, reasons, and evidence in their writing. Mastery of this standard is crucial for students to effectively communicate their arguments and ideas, which is a key skill in both academic and real-world contexts. Ensure students have a solid understanding of basic sentence structures and the role of conjunctions and transitional phrases. They should also know how to identify and use thesis statements and supporting evidence.
After mastering this standard, students will be able to write more complex and persuasive arguments. They will be able to integrate multiple sources and perspectives into their writing and use cohesive devices to enhance clarity and persuasiveness.
Common Misconception 1
Students may think that listing evidence without making explicit connections is enough to support their claims. This misconception overlooks the importance of guiding the reader through the argument and showing how each piece of evidence supports the claim.
Intervention 1
Introduce graphic organizers that help students map out their arguments and the connections between claims, evidence, and counterclaims. Encourage peer review sessions focused on identifying and improving these connections.
Common Misconception 2
Another common misconception is that using sophisticated vocabulary will automatically make their writing more cohesive. However, without logical flow and clear relationships between ideas, the writing can become confusing and disjointed.
Intervention 2
Use examples of both cohesive and non-cohesive writing to highlight the importance of logical flow. Provide exercises that focus on rewriting sentences and paragraphs to improve cohesion without necessarily using more complex vocabulary.
Prerequisite Knowledge
Students should understand basic sentence structure, including the use of conjunctions and transitional phrases. They should also be familiar with the concept of a thesis statement and supporting evidence.
Subsequent Knowledge
Students will develop the ability to write more complex arguments and research papers, integrating multiple sources and perspectives. They will also learn to refine their use of cohesive devices to enhance clarity and persuasiveness in their writing.
Instructional Activities
- Have students write a persuasive essay on a topic of their choice, focusing on using cohesive devices to connect their claims and evidence.
- Create group activities where students must collaboratively write a short report, ensuring each member contributes to the cohesion of the final piece.
- Use sentence strips with different parts of an argument (claims, evidence, counterclaims) and have students physically arrange them to create a cohesive argument.
