Writing Arguments That Matter

A strong, well-built argument is at the heart of any good research paper or persuasive essay. Gain confidence in your ability to master high school and college writing assignments by learning how to ask compelling research questions and write effective arguments. In this course, we’ll walk through the steps of writing a persuasive argument from start to finish. You’ll learn how to choose an important, relevant topic, formulate a question and conduct research, and write an argument that contributes valuable and original insights. Along the way, you’ll learn skills that’ll help you expertly navigate academic conversations and craft complex arguments, as well as strategies to make your writing more persuasive.

What You'll Learn

• How to craft compelling research questions
• Tips for finding and evaluating useful sources that advance your argument
• How to identify differences between weak and strong arguments
• Approaches for incorporating other perspectives into your writing
• Strategies that make your writing persuasive

Who Should Register

This course is for incoming ninth to 12th graders who want to learn argumentative writing strategies. It's not for those who need remedial writing help, and all students should have a high level of English language proficiency.

If you don't feel quite ready for this course, consider enrolling in Sharpen Your Writing Skills.

Instructor

Jennie Baker
Jennifer Cuffman

More Information

The in-person section is taught on the UW Seattle campus. We recommend bringing a laptop to class if you have one. 

The online section is taught using Zoom. Classes meet in real time and are not recorded. To participate, you should have access to a computer with a high-speed internet connection and a headset and webcam. 

There’s now a nonrefundable $50 registration fee each quarter you register. See the FAQs page for more information about registration, refunds, waitlists and more. 

Earn a Digital Badge

After participating in this course, you can claim a Youth & Teen Programs digital badge that you can highlight on college and job applications and share on social media.

Details

Jul 28–Aug 8, 2025 3B	Day Mon–Fri	Time 1 p.m.–4 p.m.
	Location Online	Cost $780
	Refund Deadline Jun 1, 2025	Register

Aug 11–Aug 22, 2025 4A	Day Mon–Fri	Time 9 a.m.–12 p.m.
	Location UW Seattle	Cost $780
	Refund Deadline Jun 1, 2025	Waitlist