Few questions divide a class of Paper Towns readers like whether Margo is responsible for the worry and confusion she leaves behind. Some students see her as selfish, others as someone trapped by the expectations of those around her. This disagreement makes an ideal foundation for an argumentative essay, since students have real stakes in the answer. The assignment teaches them to defend a position with evidence and to engage with opposing views.

A good prompt makes the argument debatable and text-based, such as "To what extent is Margo responsible for the actions Quentin takes in pursuit of her?" It should invite students to weigh evidence rather than assert opinion. Encourage them to consider what Margo says and does, as well as how Quentin interprets her. Prompts that ask for degrees of responsibility tend to produce more nuanced essays than yes-or-no questions.

Before drafting, hold a structured debate or a four-corners activity where students move to a position and explain their reasoning with textual support. The physical act of choosing a side often reveals how strongly students feel. It also surfaces counterarguments they will need to address in writing. Students who hear thoughtful opposing points tend to write stronger, more balanced essays.

Teaching Counterargument

Counterargument is the hardest part of argumentative writing for many students. They either ignore the opposing view or mention it so briefly that it does not affect the argument. Teach them to state the strongest opposing point fairly, then respond with evidence that explains why their position still holds. A concession such as "Some readers might argue that Margo's secrecy is cruel" followed by a specific rebuttal demonstrates sophistication.

• A claim that takes a clear stand on the degree of Margo's responsibility
• At least two pieces of textual evidence supporting the claim
• A fair statement of the strongest opposing view
• A rebuttal grounded in the text instead of personal opinion
• A conclusion that explains what the question reveals about the novel

Scoring Arguments Fairly

It is important to grade the quality of the argument rather than agreement with your own view. A student who defends Margo and a student who criticizes her can both earn top marks if their reasoning and evidence are strong. State this explicitly in your rubric and in class. Students are more willing to take intellectual risks when they know they will not be penalized for their position.

Watch for essays that rely on personal opinion without textual support. Phrases like "I think Margo is selfish" need to be paired with specific scenes and analysis. Feedback can ask, "Which moment in the novel makes you believe this, and what exactly does it show?" This pushes students back to the text. Over time, they learn to anchor opinions in evidence.

Handling the Volume of Argument Essays

Argumentative essays can be lengthy and challenging to grade, especially when evaluating counterarguments. A rubric that clearly separates claim, evidence, reasoning, and counterargument helps you assign scores consistently. You can scan for each element and annotate accordingly. This approach cuts down on rereading and gives students clear information about their strengths.

AI grading assistance can perform an initial pass on these criteria, noting where a counterargument is missing or evidence lacks explanation. You then focus on the quality of reasoning and any nuances the tool might miss. This partnership helps you keep feedback timely, which matters for revision. Students benefit when feedback arrives while the essay is still fresh in their minds.

Extending the Thinking Beyond the Essay

After students submit their essays, hold a reflective discussion on how their views changed during the writing process. Many will report that considering the opposing side shifted their thinking. This is a valuable lesson about intellectual humility. It also shows that writing is a tool for thinking, not merely for reporting conclusions.

You can connect the skills to other contexts by asking students to identify arguments in the news, public debates, or school policy discussions. The ability to weigh claims and respond to counterarguments is central to civic life. A single novel and a single question about Margo can open that door. Argumentative writing becomes more meaningful when students see its relevance beyond the classroom.