Middle School Persuasive Writing Lesson Plan

Learning Objectives

• Identify claim, evidence, and reasoning in a model paragraph.
• Draft a persuasive paragraph using the CER framework.
• Provide peer feedback focused on evidence quality.

• Quick poll: 'Should students have homework on weekends? Yes or no?' Tally on the board.
• Ask 2 students to defend their position in one sentence. Note which one used evidence.
• Transition: 'Today we learn how to make our arguments convincing with evidence and reasoning.'

• Display a model persuasive paragraph about school lunch options.
• Color-code: highlight the claim in yellow, evidence in green, reasoning in blue.
• Think-aloud: explain why the reasoning connects the evidence to the claim.
• Anchor chart: post CER definitions and sentence starters.

• Students work in pairs to color-code a second model paragraph.
• Partners discuss: 'Is the evidence strong? Why or why not?'
• Share out: 2 pairs report their findings to the class.

• Students choose one of three prompts and draft a persuasive paragraph using CER.
• Sentence starters available on the anchor chart for students who need support.
• Teacher circulates and conferences with 3–4 students on evidence selection.

• Swap papers with a partner. Use the feedback form: 'I can identify the claim / I see evidence / The reasoning connects.'
• 2-minute revision window based on partner feedback.
• Exit: 'Name one thing that makes evidence convincing.' Collect on sticky notes.

Assessment

• Student product: One persuasive paragraph with labeled CER components.
• Criteria: Clear claim, relevant evidence, reasoning that connects evidence to claim.
• Success indicator: 75% of students produce a paragraph with all three CER components.