About this example
We made a few small changes before publishing it: framing two statistics as hypothetical examples and tightening one true or false item about counterclaims. The structure and the writing frames were already strong.
It works as the first lesson of an argument unit or as a refresher before a timed essay.
Curriculum alignment: Common Core W.9-10.1 (write arguments to support claims using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence), including 1a (introduce precise claims and distinguish them from counterclaims) and 1b (develop claims and counterclaims fairly).
What's in the pack
- 12 editable slidesTitle, vocabulary, teaching slides, a true or false check and a closing slide, in one theme.
- Lesson planA 60-minute plan with timed phases, differentiation and assessment for learning.
- Worksheet with answer key3 questions worth 12 marks, with full answers.
- Warm-up5 questions with answers to open the lesson.
- Reading passageA short text with 4 questions and answers.
- Exit ticket3 questions with model answers.
- Study guideKey vocabulary, facts and concepts on one page.
- Teacher notesMisconceptions, IEP/504 and ELL supports, and homework.
The slide deck (12 slides)
Every slide below is rendered live from the generated pack, in the Sunset theme the generator picked. In your account each one is editable, and the deck exports to PowerPoint or Google Slides as real text boxes, not flat pictures. The faint LessonHQ watermark only appears on public previews.
The printable documents
The lesson plan, worksheet and its mark scheme, starter, exit ticket and teacher notes come with the slides. Pick a tab to read each one in full. They print on US Letter and download as Word, PDF or Google Docs.
Timed phases with teacher and student activity, assessment for learning, differentiation and resources.
Why this pack works in the classroom
A complete frame
The pack gives students the full claim, evidence, reasoning frame plus a rebuttal step ('reason why your claim still holds'), so they learn that strong arguments take on the other side.
A misconception about counterclaims
The notes tackle the belief that including a counterclaim makes your argument look weak, which is exactly why many ninth graders leave them out.
Debatable and specific
The study guide insists that a claim must be debatable and specific, a simple test students can apply to their own thesis before they start drafting.
How the lesson runs
The 60-minute lesson plan splits the lesson into 5 timed phases. This is the plan exactly as it was generated.
- 1. Starter8 minTeacher: Display retrieval quiz on board, give time cues, circulate to support reading.Students: Complete retrieval questions independently, then self‑mark.
- 2. Main Teaching13 minTeacher: Explain claim, evidence, reasoning and counterclaim using real examples; model linking sentences.Students: Listen, answer hook questions, note key points on sticky notes.
- 3. Active Learning11 minTeacher: Facilitate paired analysis of a sample paragraph; circulate to prompt deeper thinking.Students: Identify claim, evidence and reasoning; add a counterclaim in pairs.
- 4. Independent Task8 minTeacher: Provide a brief prompt; circulate to support lower ability, offer extension prompts to higher ability.Students: Write a short argumentative paragraph using claim, evidence, reasoning and a counterclaim.
- 5. Plenary10 minTeacher: Collect exit tickets, read a few aloud, highlight good use of terminology.Students: Complete 3 exit‑ticket questions independently.
Straight from the pack
A few pieces copied word for word from the generated documents, so you can see the level of detail.
Learning objective
I can analyze how claim, evidence, reasoning and counterclaim work together to build a persuasive argument.
Learning targets
- I can define claim, evidence, reasoning and counterclaim accurately
- I can identify claim, evidence and reasoning in a sample paragraph
- I can write a short paragraph that includes a clear claim and supporting evidence
- I can evaluate the impact of a counterclaim on the overall argument
Differentiation
- Support: Provide a sentence starter frame for claim and evidence; use color‑coded cue cards.
- Core: Task all students with analyzing a short paragraph and adding a counterclaim.
- Extension: Challenge higher ability students to evaluate the effectiveness of persuasive language in a supplied extract.
Warm-up questions
- What are the three main parts of a standard essay?
- Give one example of a factual statement you could use as evidence.
- What does the word ‘claim’ mean in an argument?
- Why is it important to link evidence to a claim?
- Name one reason a writer might include a counterclaim.
Worksheet questions
- What is a claim and why is it important?
- Explain how evidence and reasoning work together to support a claim.
- Read this paragraph: "Schools should start later in the morning. Teenagers need more sleep, and many students arrive tired. A later start would help them learn." Analyze it and suggest how adding a counterclaim and rebuttal could make it more persuasive.
Misconceptions it tackles
- Evidence can be a personal opinion.: Explain that evidence must be factual, sourced or statistical, not a personal belief.
- A counterclaim makes my argument look weak.: Show how addressing an opposing view demonstrates confidence and improves credibility.
Making it fit your class
Give students three colors of sticky notes for claim, evidence and reasoning and have them color-code a model paragraph. For a speaking task, run a quick four-corners debate on the lesson's prompt before students write.
This pack took about a minute to generate. Yours will not be a copy of it: type the same topic and grade and you get a fresh pack, then you can change the length, the ability level and the theme before you press Generate.
Make your own on this topic
The form opens with “Argumentative writing: claim, evidence, reasoning” and Grade 9 filled in. The free plan includes 2 full lesson packs with no card needed.
Make your own on this topic →Get the editable files
This pack is in the LessonHQ marketplace, where you can download the editable slides and documents.
View it in the marketplace →Frequently asked questions
Is this a real LessonHQ lesson pack?
Yes. It was generated by LessonHQ from the topic "Argumentative writing: claim, evidence, reasoning" and grade Grade 9, in about a minute, and saved to our library. We read it and checked the facts and answers before showing it here; any small corrections are noted on this page.
Can I use it with my own prompt?
Yes. The frame works with any debatable question. When you generate your own lesson, type your prompt or the text students are responding to, and the examples are built around it.
Will I get exactly this pack if I make my own?
No, you get a fresh pack written for your request. Type the same topic and LessonHQ writes a new set of slides and documents, so you can make several versions and keep the best. You can also change the length, ability level and theme first.
Can I edit the slides and documents?
Yes. Every slide is editable in LessonHQ and exports to PowerPoint or Google Slides as real text boxes and shapes. The documents download as Word, PDF or Google Docs on US Letter paper.
How much does it cost?
The free plan includes 2 full lesson packs with no card needed, and the slide generator lets you make 3 decks without signing up. Paid plans add more packs each month.