TA Complaints About Student Writing 3

“My students don’t know how to make an argument.”

Some high schools equate “essay” with “personal reflection.” Your students may never have learned the difference between an assertion and an unsubstantiated opinion, between an analysis and a summary. It is possible, however, to facilitate the shift from anecdotal to analytical thinking. Show them what an argument looks like and let them practice writing their own. Do this by explaining the assignment’s main intellectual task (“what does it mean to ‘examine’ this issue?”) and pointing out examples of argumentation in the course readings. You might also present exemplary student thesis statements with supporting evidence, and then have students consider one another’s work-in-progress.

We’ll discuss how to help your students make an argument in Preparing Students to Write the Assignment (By Writing) and Responding to Student Writing.