Middle School English Language Arts Instructional Guide

●​ arguments ●​ claims ●​ reasons ●​ evidence ●​ organizational structure ●​ writer’s purpose ●​ conventions ●​ style

●​ write ●​ support ●​ clarify ●​ cite

and evidence. ●​ I can use appropriate conventions and style for my audience and purpose.

Sample Question Stems and Prompts for Discussion

●​ “What is the purpose of introducing claims in an argument?” ●​ “How can you clarify the relationships between claims and evidence?” ●​ “What conventions should you follow when writing an argument?”

Sample Formative Assessments

Claim and Evidence Graphic Organizer

●​ Activity: Students complete a graphic organizer where they identify their main claim, reasons, and evidence from credible sources.

●​ Objective: To assess students' ability to organize their arguments logically and support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.

Style and Conventions Checklist

●​ Activity: Students write a short-answer response and use a checklist to ensure they have used appropriate language, style, and conventions.

●​ Objective: To assess students' ability to use appropriate language and style for their audience and purpose.

Socratic Seminar

Last Updated June 2nd, 2026 Secondary ELA, Page 120