Unit Plan 12 (Grade 6 ELA): Cohesion, Counterclaims & Conclusions
Grade 6 argument writing unit: students use precise transitions, add formal counterarguments, and craft logical conclusions while revising for clarity, cohesion, and correct conventions.

Focus: Transitions, counterarguments, concluding statements; revision cycles
Grade Level: 6
Subject Area: English Language Arts (Writing—Argument; Language)
Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 45–60 minutes per session
I. Introduction
This week strengthens argument writing by focusing on how ideas connect and how writers end well. Students will build cohesion with targeted transitions, practice counterarguments (concession + rebuttal) in a formal style, craft concluding statements that truly follow from the argument, and run quick revision cycles to improve clarity and conventions.
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to…
- Use words, phrases, and clauses to clarify relationships among claims, reasons, and evidence (W.6.1c).
- Maintain a formal style/voice while introducing counterarguments and rebuttals (W.6.1d).
- Write concluding statements/sections that follow from the argument (W.6.1e).
- Plan, revise, edit, and rewrite to strengthen organization and clarity (W.6.5).
- Edit for capitalization, punctuation, and spelling to support meaning (L.6.2).
Standards Alignment — CCSS Grade 6
- Writing 6.1c (W.6.1c): Use words, phrases, and clauses to clarify the relationships among claim(s) and reasons.
- Writing 6.1d (W.6.1d): Establish and maintain a formal style.
- Writing 6.1e (W.6.1e): Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from the argument presented.
- Writing 6.5 (W.6.5): With some guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach.
- Language 6.2 (L.6.2): Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing (e.g., commas, parentheses, dashes to set off nonrestrictive/parenthetical elements; correct spelling).
Success Criteria — student language
- I can use precise transitions so readers always know how ideas connect.
- I can present a counterargument fairly, then rebut it respectfully in a formal tone.
- My conclusion follows from my reasons and answers “So what?”
- I can revise for clarity and edit for conventions so my writing reads smoothly.