2cuteclassroom: Using Fairytales to Teach Argumentative Writing

Engaging Students in Debate and Critical Thinking

One of my favorite memories was of my mother reading fairytales to me on stormy nights when the lights went out. This help to inspire my love of reading. And, fairytales are more than just bedtime stories. They contain deep themes, powerful messages, and controversial ideas that make them perfect for teaching argumentative writing. From whether “happily ever after” is realistic to whether villains are truly evil, you can use them to get your students can explore complex topics while developing critical thinking and persuasive writing skills. And, writing is my jam!

So, let’s explore how to use fairytales to teach argumentative writing. Whether you’re a teacher looking for a new way to engage your students or a homeschool parent searching for creative writing activities, I got you. We’ll discuss why fairytales work well for argumentative writing, key debate topics, and strategies for making learning fun .

Why Use Fairytales to Teach Argumentative Writing?

Argumentative writing is a skill that students need for academic and “real world” success. It teaches them how to express their opinions clearly, support their arguments with evidence, and engage in respectful debates. However, traditional argument topics—such as school uniforms or later start times—can feel repetitive. Fairytales provide fresh, engaging material that sparks creativity and deeper analysis.

Fairytales are an excellent tool for teaching argumentative writing because they contain:

1. Clear Moral Lessons – Students can analyze and debate whether these lessons hold up in real life. (And, trust me, they have some strong opinions about this,)

2. Well-Defined Characters – Heroes and villains provide excellent material for discussing motivations and morality.

3. Cultural Significance – Many fairytales have been passed down for centuries. This gives your students a chance to explore historical perspectives of the fairytale.

4. Ambiguous Endings – While fairytales often conclude with a “happily ever after,” students can challenge whether this is realistic or even deserved.

5. Engaging and Familiar Stories – Most students already know most classic fairytales. This makes them idea for a starting point to a deeper conversation among your students.

Key Argumentative Writing Topics Using Fairytales

Here are some debate topics that can be explored through argumentative writing:

1. Is “happily ever after” realistic?

o Do fairytales create false expectations about life and relationships?

o Can people truly achieve a “happily ever after” in real life?

(In my opinion, “happily ever after” isn’t realistic, but I digress.)

2. Are villains truly evil, or are they misunderstood?

o Should we examine a villain’s backstory before judging them?

o Are characters like the Big Bad Wolf or Maleficent actually victims of circumstance? Here you can have your students think about the newer versions of these tales or the alternate versions and let them share their thoughts.

3. Should fairytales be updated to reflect modern values?

o Are traditional gender roles in fairytales outdated?

o Should new fairytales teach lessons about diversity and inclusion?

4. Are princesses good role models for young girls?

o Do princesses promote unrealistic beauty standards?

o Are characters like Belle and Mulan strong role models?

5. Is magic helpful or harmful in fairytales?

o Does magic promote unrealistic problem-solving?

o Should fairytales focus more on hard work and less on magical solutions?

Step-by-Step Lesson Plan for Using Fairytales to teach Argumentative Writing

Are you not sure how to get this done? There, here’s a sample of a structured lesson plan to help students develop their argumentative writing skills using fairytales:

Step 1: Introduce Argumentative Writing

Explain the elements of an argumentative essay: claim, evidence, counterargument, and conclusion.
Provide examples of strong and weak arguments.
Discuss the importance of using evidence to support claims.

Step 2: Choose a Fairytale and Debate Topic

Select a popular fairytale such as Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, or Beauty and the Beast.
Present a debate topic related to the fairytale.
Divide students into two groups: one supporting the argument and one opposing it.

Step 3: Gather Evidence

Have students re-read the fairytale and identify key points that support their side.
Encourage students to use direct quotes and examples from the text.
Introduce outside sources, such as modern retellings or cultural interpretations.

Step 4: Write a Thesis Statement

Guide students in forming a clear and concise thesis statement that states their argument.
Example: “Villains in fairytales are often misunderstood and deserve more sympathy than they receive.”

Step 5: Draft the Argumentative Essay

Students write an introduction that presents the topic and their thesis.
Body paragraphs should include:

1. A claim supporting their thesis.

2. Evidence from the fairytale.

3. A counterargument and rebuttal.

Conclusion restates the thesis and summarizes the argument.

Step 6: Peer Review and Revision

Pair students for peer reviews.
Have them check for strong evidence, clear arguments, and logical flow.
Allow time for revisions based on feedback.

Step 7: Present Arguments in a Classroom Debate

Students present their arguments to the class.
Encourage respectful discussion and rebuttals.
Conclude with a reflection on the strengths of each argument.

Making Argumentative Writing Fun and Interactive

Do you still want some ways to make using fairytales to teach argumentative writing pop? Here are some ways to make this lesson more engaging for your students:

Use Multimedia: Show clips from fairytale movies and analyze their messages.
Creative Twists: Have students rewrite fairytales from the villain’s perspective.
Real-World Connections: Compare fairytales to real-life situations and historical events. (Be sure to check out my post on using Pop Culture in the Classroom.)
Interactive Games: Who doesn’t love to play games? My students love them, and now, this is a great time to add some game time to your lesson. Play debate-style games like “Fairytale Courtroom,” where students act as lawyers defending or prosecuting fairytale characters.

I did this with the Big Bad Wolf and my students love it. It was fun watching them go at each other as lawyers. Plus, they brought up some perspectives of the fairytale that even I hadn’t thought of.

Using fairytales to teach argumentative writing can be just what you need to get your students’ creative juices flowing. This method of teaching argumentative writing encourages your students to think critically, analyze different perspectives, and support their opinions with actual evidence.

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