A student engaged in an argumentative writing activity is most likely doing which of the following?

• A. Presenting a policy recommendation with data
• B. Articulating a personal position after learning that the school board recommends more homework
• C. Writing a descriptive essay about a school day
• D. Summarizing a news article

Answer: (B)

Taking a stance on a debatable issue and backing it up with reasons and evidence is what argumentative writing asks a student to do. In this scenario, the student is responding to the school board’s recommendation for more homework by articulating a personal position on that recommendation and explaining why they hold that view. That direct focus on a claim and supporting it with reasons is the hallmark of argumentative writing, aiming to persuade the reader through logical arguments and evidence.

Descriptive essays describe what something looks or feels like, not argue a position. Summarizing a news article condenses information, not present a personal argument. Presenting a policy recommendation with data can be persuasive, but it centers on proposing a solution with evidence, whereas here the emphasis is on the student’s own stance about the stated recommendation.