Argumentative Essay Introduction – Middle School Lesson

Students write a hook sentence that summarizes background information for an argumentative essay.

Students write an arch/bridge sentence that states both sides of an argument.

Students write a thesis sentence that restates the prompt, states a position, and gives supporting reasons.

Students evaluate multiple-choice options to select the strongest hook, arch, and thesis for a given passage.

Work through the printable notes page as a class before assigning any of the three practice days, since each day's prompt assumes students already know the hook/arch/thesis terms.

Use the model answers in the answer key as mentor examples, since they show a full three-sentence introduction for each of the three practice passages.

If using the digital version, make one extra copy of each file to keep as an untouched original before sharing an editable copy with students, per the resource's own setup instructions.

Argumentative introduction writing — students draft a hook, arch, and thesis sentence for a debatable nonfiction topic.

Nonfiction reading for argument — students read short passages on historical and scientific topics and identify a defensible position.

Multiple-choice text analysis — students evaluate several introduction options against a passage to identify the strongest one.