Resources
Annotated Bibliography - Curriculum Unit Primary Texts
Graff, Gerald, and Cathy Birkenstein. They Say, I Say: The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing, with Readings. 5th ed., W. W. Norton & Company, 2021.
I find this book to be user-friendly. The authors emphasize the importance of summarizing others’ arguments before advancing their own. This book includes models for analysis that show the importance of clarity, engagement, and critical dialogue when writing a persuasive argument essay.
Hillocks, George, Jr. Teaching Argument Writing, Grades 6–12: Supporting Claims with Relevant Evidence and Clear Reasoning. Heinemann, 2010.
Hillocks explores argument writing, drawing from a lifetime of research and classroom experience. Teachers who are advocates for developing students’ critical thinking, analytical, and persuasive skills may find this book helpful in developing concrete instructional methods.
King, Stephen. On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft. Scribner, 2000.
Combining memoir and practical advice, Stephen King’s On Writing provides a candid look into the experiences that shaped one of the world’s most prolific authors. This book has a conversational tone, realistic revelations, and solid tips on grammar and style for readers at all levels.
Klinkenborg, Verlyn. Several Short Sentences About Writing. Vintage Books, 2013.
Klinkenborg’s book offers a departure from conventional writing manuals, presenting a series of brief, meditative statements on the nature and practice of writing. Eschewing rules and formulas, Klinkenborg encourages writers to consider the construction of each sentence, to read closely, and to think deliberately about language. The unconventional structure mirrors his approach: writing is an act of attention and intent rather than compliance. Praised for its thought-provoking insights and poetic style, the book is a favorite among writers seeking to develop their voice and mastery of prose.
Woodson, Carter G. The Mis-Education of the Negro. Washington, D.C.: Associated Publishers, 1933.
Persuasive argument essay model.
Woodson’s seminal work critiques the American education system’s failure to provide Black students with empowering knowledge relevant to their history and circumstances. He argues that traditional schooling often perpetuates self-doubt and alienation among African Americans by omitting and distorting Black achievements and contributions. Woodson calls for an educational paradigm that centers on cultural heritage, critical thinking, and self-reliance. The Mis-Education of the Negro remains a foundational text in both Black studies and progressive education, continually cited for its incisive analysis and its enduring call for reform.
Bibliography for Teachers
Akerman, Rodie, and Ian Neale. “Debating the Evidence: An International Review of Current Situation and Perceptions .” CfBT Education Services. CfBT Education Trust, 2011. Last modified in 2011. Accessed May 16, 2025. cfbt.org.
Bellon, Joe. “A Research-Based Justification for Debate across the Curriculum.” Argumentation and Advocacy 36, no. 3 (January 2000): 161–175.
Billings, Laura, and Terry Roberts. Teaching Critical Thinking: Using Seminars for 21st Century Literacy. London, UK: Routledge, 2015.
Booth, Wayne C., Gregory G. Colomb, Joseph M. Williams, Joseph Bizup, and William T. FitzGerald. The Craft of Research. Chicago, IL: The University of Chicago Press, 2016.
Brooks, Jacqueline Grennon, and Martin G. Brooks. In Search of Understanding the Case for Constructivist Classrooms: With a New Introduction by the Authors. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Merrill/Prentice Hall, 2001.
Burke, Jim. The English Teacher’s Companion: A Completely New Guide to Classroom, Curriculum, and the Profession. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann, 2013.
Carnegie Corporation of New York. “Double the Work: Challenges and Solutions to Acquiring Language and Academic Literacy for Adolescent English Language Learners.” Carnegie Corporation of New York. Last modified 2017. Accessed June 18, 2025. https://www.carnegie.org/publications/double-the-work-challenges-and-solutions-to-acquiring-language-and-academic-literacy-for-adolescent-english-language-learners/.
Gibbons, Pauline. Scaffolding Language, Scaffolding Learning: Teaching English Language Learners in the Mainstream Classroom. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann, 2015.
Gonzalez, Jennifer. “A Step-by-Step Plan for Teaching Argumentative Writing.” Cult of Pedagogy. Last modified July 13, 2025. Accessed July 15, 2025. https://www.cultofpedagogy.com/persuasive-writing/.
Goodwin, Bryan, Kristin Rouleau, Cheryl Abla, Karen Baptiste, Tonia Gibson, and Michele Kimball. The New Classroom Instruction That Works: The Best Research-Based Strategies for Increasing Student Achievement. Arlington, VA: ASCD, McRel International, 2023.
Graff, Gerald, Cathy Birkenstein, and Russel K. Durst. The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing: They Say, I Say with Readings. New York, NY: W.W. Norton & Co., 2009.
Graham, Steve, and Dolores Perin. Writing Next: Effective Strategies to Improve Writing of Adolescents in Middle and High Schools. Washington, DC: Alliance for Excellent Education, 2007.
Hacker, Diana, and Nancy I. Sommers. A Writer’s Reference. New York, NY: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2018.
Harris, Joseph. Rewriting: How to Do Things with Texts. Boulder, CO: Published by Utah State University Press, an imprint of University Press of Colorado, 2017.
Heinrichs, Jay. Thank You for Arguing. New York, NY: Three Rivers Press, 2017.
Hillocks, George. Teaching Argument Writing, Grades 6-12: Supporting Claims with Relevant Evidence and Clear Reasoning. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann, 2011.
Kennedy, Ruth. “In-Class Debates: Fertile Ground for Active Learning and the Cultivation of Critical Thinking and Oral Communication Skills.” International Journal of Teaching & Learning in Higher Education 19, no. 2 (2007): 183–190.
King, Stephen. On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft. New York, NY: Scribner, 2000.
Klinkenborg, Verlyn. Several Short Sentences about Writing. New York, NY: Vintage Books, a division of Random House, Inc., 2013.
Kuhn, Deanna, and Amanda Crowell. “Dialogic Argumentation as a Vehicle for Developing Young Adolescents’ Thinking.” Psychological Science 22, no. 4 (March 21, 2011): 545–552.
Lamott, Anne. Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life. New York, NY: Anchor Books, 2019.
Lunsford, Andrea A., and John J. Ruszkiewicz. Everything’s An Argument. Boston, MA: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2019.
McCann, Clare. “Closing the Evidence Gap: Doing More of What Works in Higher Education.” New America. Last modified May 2, 2019. Accessed May 1, 2025. https://www.newamerica.org/education-policy/reports/closing-evidence-gap/.
Saddler, Bruce, and Heidi Andrade. “The Writing Rubric Instructional Rubrics Can Help Students Become Self-Regulated Writers.” Educational Leadership (October 2004): 48–52.
Shanahan, Timothy, and Shanahan, Cynthia. “Teaching Disciplinary Literacy to Adolescents: Rethinking Content-Area Literacy.” Harvard Educational Review 78, no. 1 (April 1, 2008): 40–59.
Strunk, William, and E. B. White. The Elements of Style. New York, NY: Pearson, 2020.
Sullivan, Patrick. “The Unessay: Making Room for Creativity in the Composition Classroom.” College Composition & Communication 67, no. 1 (September 1, 2015): 6–34.
“Understanding and Teaching Writing: Guiding Principles.” National Council of Teachers of English. Last modified August 25, 2021. Accessed July 3, 2025. https://ncte.org/statement/teachingcomposition/.
Woodson, Carter Godwin. The Mis-Education of the Negro. Las Vegas, NV: Lits., IAP, 2010.
Zare, P., and M. Othman. “Classroom Debate as a Systematic Teaching/Learning Approach.” World Applied Sciences Journal 28, no. 11 (2013): 1506–1513.
Zwiers, Jeff. Building Academic Language: Meeting Common Core Standards across Disciplines, Grades 5-12. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass, 2014.
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