Few novels hand teachers an argument prompt as cleanly as Before The Sunrise. Jasaiah has a plan to leave town with her best friend, Crisstiana disappears, and Jasaiah must choose between following the future she imagined and investigating what happened. Students can take either side and defend it with evidence from the book, which makes this an excellent vehicle for teaching argument writing.

The difference between an argumentative essay and an opinion piece is that argument requires reasons, evidence, and acknowledgment of other views. Many students will begin with a gut reaction, such as she should obviously stay and help her friend, and need guidance turning that reaction into a structured case. Your rubric and your feedback are the main tools for helping them make that transition.

Because the prompt has no single correct answer, it is a good opportunity to emphasize that grades depend on the quality of reasoning, not agreement with the teacher. Say this explicitly at the start of the assignment. Students write more freely, and more persuasively, when they understand that their position is not being tested.

Building the Case: Claim, Reasons, Evidence

A well-organized argument essay moves from a clear claim to two or three distinct reasons, each supported by evidence from the text. Students often blur their reasons together, repeating the same idea in different words and calling it three points. Teaching them to test each reason by asking whether it could stand alone as a separate paragraph helps them build a stronger structure.

• A precise claim that states what Jasaiah should do and why
• Two or three separate reasons rather than one idea repeated
• Evidence from the novel that supports each reason directly
• A counterargument that is described fairly and answered with reasoning
• A conclusion that says why the question matters beyond one character

Grading Reasoning, Not Just Structure

It is easy to reward papers that follow the five-paragraph form and overlook those with weak reasoning inside it. A student can have a claim, three reasons, and a counterargument, yet still make logical leaps that the evidence does not support. Reading for the strength of the connections between ideas, not only their presence, keeps your grading honest.

One practical technique is to ask yourself, as you read each reason, whether a skeptical classmate would be convinced. If the answer is no, the comment should explain what is missing, whether that is a stronger example, a clearer link, or an acknowledgment of a complication. This kind of feedback teaches students to anticipate objections, which is the core skill of argument.

Dealing With Similar Arguments at Scale

When an entire grade level writes on the same prompt, many essays will reach the same conclusion using similar evidence. This can make grading tedious and increases the risk of inconsistency, since you may find yourself comparing papers against each other rather than against the rubric. Returning to the rubric descriptors repeatedly, especially after breaks, keeps scoring anchored.

AI essay grading support can help by applying rubric criteria uniformly across every paper and drafting comments that reference specific sections. Teachers still decide final scores, particularly where a student takes an unusual position or makes an original connection. That balance gives students faster feedback while preserving the judgment that comes from knowing the class.

Debate as a Companion Activity

A short in-class debate before the writing begins can strengthen the essays considerably. Students who have defended a position aloud and heard strong objections tend to write more complete counterarguments, because they have felt the pressure of real opposition. It also gives reluctant writers a chance to rehearse their ideas before committing them to paper.

Afterward, ask students to write a brief reflection on how the discussion changed their thinking. Some will have switched sides, others will have refined their reasons, and either outcome is evidence of growth. These reflections can also be scored lightly, giving credit for intellectual flexibility alongside the final essay.