Worksheet

Argumentative Writing Practice — Evidence and Elaboration

Read the passage below, then answer the questions.

A Garden That Grows More Than Vegetables

Lincoln Middle School started a garden last year. The garden club planted tomatoes, peppers, and herbs in raised beds behind the cafeteria. According to the school newsletter, "Students who worked in the garden reported feeling more connected to their school." The garden also donated over fifty pounds of fresh vegetables to a local food bank. Ms. Rivera, the garden club advisor, said the program cost the school less than two hundred dollars to start. However, some parents worried that garden time took away from classroom instruction.

A colorful school garden with raised beds, tomato plants, and students working together in the sunshine

Amelia's Argumentative Writing Practice

Directions: Read "A Garden That Grows More Than Vegetables" above. Answer each question in complete sentences. After you cite evidence, explain what it means and why it supports your argument.

1. Should other schools start a garden program? Write a body paragraph that includes evidence from the passage and explains what the evidence means.

2. A student writes: "The garden donated fifty pounds of vegetables to a food bank. Ms. Rivera said the program cost less than two hundred dollars." Is this an argument, or just a list of facts? Explain.

3. Take the evidence about the garden's cost (less than two hundred dollars). Write two to three sentences that explain what this evidence means and why it supports the argument that schools should start gardens.

Finished Early? Think about a program at YOUR school that you think is worth keeping. In three to four sentences, write a mini-argument: state your claim, cite one piece of evidence, and explain what it means.

Elijah's Argumentative Writing Practice

Directions: Read "A Garden That Grows More Than Vegetables" above. Answer each question in complete sentences. After you cite evidence, explain what it means and why it supports your argument.

1. Should other schools start a garden program? Write a body paragraph that includes evidence from the passage and explains what the evidence means.

2. A student writes: "The garden donated fifty pounds of vegetables to a food bank. Ms. Rivera said the program cost less than two hundred dollars." Is this an argument, or just a list of facts? Explain.

3. Take the evidence about the garden's cost (less than two hundred dollars). Write two to three sentences that explain what this evidence means and why it supports the argument that schools should start gardens.

Finished Early? Think about a program at YOUR school that you think is worth keeping. In three to four sentences, write a mini-argument: state your claim, cite one piece of evidence, and explain what it means.

Henry's Argumentative Writing Practice

Directions: Read "A Garden That Grows More Than Vegetables" above. Answer each question in complete sentences. After you cite evidence, explain what it means and why it supports your argument.

1. Should other schools start a garden program? Write a body paragraph that includes evidence from the passage and explains what the evidence means.

2. A student writes: "The garden donated fifty pounds of vegetables to a food bank. Ms. Rivera said the program cost less than two hundred dollars." Is this an argument, or just a list of facts? Explain.

3. Take the evidence about the garden's cost (less than two hundred dollars). Write two to three sentences that explain what this evidence means and why it supports the argument that schools should start gardens.

Finished Early? Think about a program at YOUR school that you think is worth keeping. In three to four sentences, write a mini-argument: state your claim, cite one piece of evidence, and explain what it means.

Isabella's Argumentative Writing Practice

Directions: Read "A Garden That Grows More Than Vegetables" above. Answer each question in complete sentences. After you cite evidence, explain what it means and why it supports your argument.

1. Should other schools start a garden program? Write a body paragraph that includes evidence from the passage and explains what the evidence means.

2. A student writes: "The garden donated fifty pounds of vegetables to a food bank. Ms. Rivera said the program cost less than two hundred dollars." Is this an argument, or just a list of facts? Explain.

3. Take the evidence about the garden's cost (less than two hundred dollars). Write two to three sentences that explain what this evidence means and why it supports the argument that schools should start gardens.

Finished Early? Think about a program at YOUR school that you think is worth keeping. In three to four sentences, write a mini-argument: state your claim, cite one piece of evidence, and explain what it means.

Luna's Argumentative Writing Practice

Directions: Read "A Garden That Grows More Than Vegetables" above. Answer each question in complete sentences. After you cite evidence, explain what it means and why it supports your argument.

1. Should other schools start a garden program? Write a body paragraph that includes evidence from the passage and explains what the evidence means.

2. A student writes: "The garden donated fifty pounds of vegetables to a food bank. Ms. Rivera said the program cost less than two hundred dollars." Is this an argument, or just a list of facts? Explain.

3. Take the evidence about the garden's cost (less than two hundred dollars). Write two to three sentences that explain what this evidence means and why it supports the argument that schools should start gardens.

Finished Early? Think about a program at YOUR school that you think is worth keeping. In three to four sentences, write a mini-argument: state your claim, cite one piece of evidence, and explain what it means.

Mia's Argumentative Writing Practice

Directions: Read "A Garden That Grows More Than Vegetables" above. Answer each question in complete sentences. After you cite evidence, explain what it means and why it supports your argument.

1. Should other schools start a garden program? Write a body paragraph that includes evidence from the passage and explains what the evidence means.

2. A student writes: "The garden donated fifty pounds of vegetables to a food bank. Ms. Rivera said the program cost less than two hundred dollars." Is this an argument, or just a list of facts? Explain.

3. Take the evidence about the garden's cost (less than two hundred dollars). Write two to three sentences that explain what this evidence means and why it supports the argument that schools should start gardens.

Finished Early? Think about a program at YOUR school that you think is worth keeping. In three to four sentences, write a mini-argument: state your claim, cite one piece of evidence, and explain what it means.

Oliver's Argumentative Writing Practice

Directions: Read "A Garden That Grows More Than Vegetables" above. Answer each question in complete sentences. After you cite evidence, explain what it means and why it supports your argument.

1. Should other schools start a garden program? Write a body paragraph that includes evidence from the passage and explains what the evidence means.

2. A student writes: "The garden donated fifty pounds of vegetables to a food bank. Ms. Rivera said the program cost less than two hundred dollars." Is this an argument, or just a list of facts? Explain.

3. Take the evidence about the garden's cost (less than two hundred dollars). Write two to three sentences that explain what this evidence means and why it supports the argument that schools should start gardens.

Finished Early? Think about a program at YOUR school that you think is worth keeping. In three to four sentences, write a mini-argument: state your claim, cite one piece of evidence, and explain what it means.

Sophia's Argumentative Writing Practice

Directions: Read "A Garden That Grows More Than Vegetables" above. Answer each question in complete sentences. After you cite evidence, explain what it means and why it supports your argument.

1. Should other schools start a garden program? Write a body paragraph that includes evidence from the passage and explains what the evidence means.

2. A student writes: "The garden donated fifty pounds of vegetables to a food bank. Ms. Rivera said the program cost less than two hundred dollars." Is this an argument, or just a list of facts? Explain.

3. Take the evidence about the garden's cost (less than two hundred dollars). Write two to three sentences that explain what this evidence means and why it supports the argument that schools should start gardens.

Finished Early? Think about a program at YOUR school that you think is worth keeping. In three to four sentences, write a mini-argument: state your claim, cite one piece of evidence, and explain what it means.