Labor Day Writing Activity (Grades 6–8): Choose ONE prompt (A, B, or E). Research your own sources. Write an argument/opinion response with a clear claim, evidence from at least 2 credible sources, explanation of how the evidence supports your claim, a counterclaim with rebuttal, and a short conclusion. Include a simple Works Cited.
Choose the prompt you will answer for this Labor Day writing task.
Prompt A — Fairness then vs. now Labor Day began during a time of long hours, low pay, and unsafe workplaces. Value question: Is it fair to judge the leaders and business owners of the late 1800s by today’s standards for workplace safety and pay?
Prompt B — Role of government Labor Day grew out of labor activism and conflict over working conditions. Value question: How much responsibility should the government have had (and should it have now) to protect workers from unsafe conditions and extremely long hours?
Prompt E — “What Labor Day should mean” Labor Day was created to honor workers and the labor movement. Value question: What should Labor Day represent today: celebration, protest, remembrance, or something else? Defend your position using history.
Select ONE prompt to focus your essay.
Write your one-sentence claim for the prompt you chose.
Your claim should:
Take a clear position that someone could disagree with
Be specific (not just “Labor Day is important”)
Preview your main reasons (at least 2)
Example frame: “Because __ and __, __ should/should not __.”
Which of the following would count as strong evidence for this Labor Day history argument? (Select 2)
Assume you will cite where you found the evidence.
Write a counterclaim someone might make against your claim.
Requirements:
It must be reasonable (not a silly “straw man”)
It should connect to the same historical issue (working conditions, policy, Labor Day’s purpose)
Sentence starter: “Some people might argue that …”
Draft your argument paragraph(s).
Include:
Your claim (restate it clearly)
At least 2 pieces of evidence from at least 2 different sources
For each piece of evidence: explain how it supports your claim (reasoning)
Proper citations (simple in-text: source name + year is fine)
Tip: Use the pattern Claim → Evidence → Reasoning at least twice.
Write your counterclaim + rebuttal section.
Include:
Counterclaim (state the opposing view fairly)
Evidence or reasoning that the counterclaim might use
Rebuttal: explain why your claim is still stronger using evidence and values
Tip: Don’t just say “That’s wrong.” Explain why and connect back to history and your evidence.
Match each term to the best description (helps with historical context for your research).
| Draggable item | arrow_right_alt | Corresponding Item |
|---|---|---|
Strike | arrow_right_alt | Workers organized to protect rights |
Eight-hour day | arrow_right_alt | Workers stop work to demand change |
Working conditions | arrow_right_alt | Limit workday length to 8 hours |
Labor union | arrow_right_alt | Safety, hours, and workplace treatment |