Grade 6 Argumentative Writing word search, scramble and crossword puzz

Grade 6 Argumentative Writing word search, scramble and crossword puzzle

I made this argumentative writing puzzle set for my 6th graders during our writing unit. The kids could state a position but had no idea what words like claim, counterargument, or rebuttal meant when we started learning how to write an argument essay. They also kept mixing up "argument" and "persuasion." So I put together a word search, a word scramble, and a crossword using words like claim, evidence, reasoning, counterargument, rebuttal, audience, thesis, support, conclusion, fact, opinion, and call to action . I also threw in a few like "credible" and "source" because they kept coming up when we talked about finding good evidence . Nothing fancy — just puzzles to help the vocabulary finally stick.

The PDF is four pages. Three puzzles plus one answer key page. The word search works well for quiet time after recess or independent practice. The scramble gets them talking because they argue about the spelling of "counterargument" (it's a tricky one) or whether a claim is the same as an opinion (it's not—they always have opinions about it) . The crossword I use for partners or as a review, and I usually have an argumentative writing anchor chart nearby for the kids who need the visual support to see the structure of an argument . I added a couple simple speech bubble and scale drawings but nothing too busy.

Works for 6th through 7th grade. Print and go. Sometimes I have early finishers write a claim about a school topic and one reason to support it on the back. The kids actually ask for these now.