The central question of You Can't Take It With You, whether wealth or personal fulfillment matters more, is one students already think about. That makes it an ideal foundation for argumentative writing prompts that feel relevant. Students can connect the play to their own experiences while still practicing the discipline of using textual evidence.

The key is to frame prompts so that students argue from the text rather than from general opinion alone. A prompt that asks whether the play suggests happiness depends on money requires them to examine how the characters live and what each family gains or loses. This keeps the conversation anchored in the work.

Prompts can be adjusted for different time frames and skill levels. A short in-class paragraph might ask for a claim and one piece of evidence, while a longer essay could require multiple sources and a counterargument. Having a bank of options lets teachers choose what fits their schedule.

A Bank of Prompts for Different Purposes

Short prompts work well for formative assessment and quick checks. Longer prompts suit summative essays and invite deeper research. Offering students some choice increases engagement and can reveal which ideas resonate with them most.

• Short: In one paragraph, argue whether Grandpa's choices make him happier than Anthony Kirby
• Short: Defend or challenge the claim that the Sycamores are poor in money but rich in life
• Full essay: Argue whether the play offers a realistic model for balancing work and joy
• Full essay: Evaluate how the play defines success and whether it persuades you
• Extended: Compare the play's view of wealth to a contemporary article or essay

Rubric Priorities for Argument Writing

A rubric for argument should include a clear claim, logical reasoning, relevant evidence, and acknowledgment of opposing views. Tone and organization also matter, since persuasive writing depends on clarity. Assigning weights to each criterion helps students understand where to focus their efforts.

Be careful not to reward length over substance. A concise essay with a strong claim and well-chosen evidence can outperform a longer one filled with repetition. Making this explicit in the rubric helps students avoid padding.

Avoiding Common Pitfalls

Students often resort to clichés, such as money cannot buy happiness, which sound persuasive but lack substance. Feedback should encourage them to replace general statements with specific examples from the play. A comment like show me where in the play this idea appears pushes them toward evidence.

Another pitfall is ignoring the complexity of the characters. The play suggests that both Grandpa and Kirby have something to learn, so essays that treat one as simply right and the other as simply wrong often feel thin. Encouraging nuance leads to more sophisticated writing.

Giving Faster Feedback on Argument Drafts

Argumentative writing improves most through repeated revision, which depends on prompt feedback. AI tools can analyze drafts against a rubric and highlight where the claim is vague or evidence is missing. Students can then revise within the same class period or overnight.

Teachers can supplement with targeted conferences for students who need more help. This blend of immediate feedback and personal attention maximizes the value of each draft. Over time, students learn to anticipate and correct their own weaknesses.