Improving Argumentative Writing in School

Abstract

The skills of writing clear and persuasive arguments are essential not only in school education (e.g., writing an essay or report) but also in various social situations (e.g., writing an opinion brief, request, or proposal). Therefore, the writing of lessons on argumentation in school should be planned and practiced with a focus on future uses with a broad perspective. This article mainly discusses important considerations about writing arguments lessons in school from three standing points-＂WHO to persuade: audience awareness,＂ ＂WHAT to present: reason assumption,＂ and ＂HOW to persuade: argumentative schema and construction strategy.＂ Each standing point is organized according to the following three sections: (1) overviewing previous studies related to each standing point, (2) clarifying the problems needing to be solved in writing lessons on argumentation in school, and (3) presenting instructional methods to solve the problems. On the basis of previous discussions, the future development of argumentative writing research and instructional methods of writing arguments are discussed.