unit 8 Text Argument and Persuasion Workshopcrismoreclassroom.weebly.com/uploads/8/7/0/2/87026758/u8_txtwkshp... · Argument and Persuasion ... and salty chips, ... overall rating

Argument and PersuasionThink about the choices and decisions that you make in a single day. You might choose to volunteer at an animal shelter, buy a new pair of shoes, or cast your vote for student-council president. Which persuasive messages influence your decisions?

Part 1: What Is an Argument?When you hear the word argument, you may think of angry people shouting heated statements. In formal speaking and writing, however, a good argument is not emotional. It is a carefully stated claim supported by reasons and evidence. An argument is made up of two important parts.

• The claim is a writer’s position on a problem or an issue.• The support is the reasons and evidence that help to prove the claim.

A writer may include many kinds of evidence, including eye-opening statistics, compelling anecdotes, or examples. Support in an argument is usually for or against an issue. Study the support for the claim stated below. What is the author’s viewpoint, or attitude toward the issue of teens using the Internet? Is the support for or against the issue?

Support

Using the Internet for research can help teens become experts at finding information. For example, looking up homework help and comparison-shop ping online both require savvy re search abilities.

Support Support Support

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1 3Support

Teens are learning how to multi-task. One study found that 30 percent of teens do more than one thing when they are on the Internet—for instance, surf the Web and e-mail friends at the same time.

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CLAIMTeens who use the Internet for different

kinds of tasks are developing important life skills.

Support

The immediate responses required by e-mails and instant messages can help teens learn to type faster and to process information quickly. These abilities are critical in school and in business.

unit 8Text

AnalysisWorkshop

936 unit 8: information, argument, and persuasion

Included in this workshop:RI 7 Integrate information presented in different media or formats to develop a coherent understanding of a topic.RI 8 Trace and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, distinguishing claims that are supported by reasons and evidence from claims that are not.

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model: parts of an argumentThis article is from Humane Teen, a Web site intended to educate students about important issues involving animal rights and the environment. As you begin reading the article, look for the author’s claim.

One person can do a lot for animals and the Earth. So, what’s the point of starting a club? That’s simple. When people work as a team, they can accomplish much more. Here’s why:

• A group has more people to make calls, write letters, hand out flyers, and get the word out about pressing issues.

• Trying to solve problems by yourself can be difficult and frustrating. But when you’re part of a club, you get support and encouragement from other club members.

• A group of people speaking with one voice often has more influence than a single person. People sit up and take notice when many individuals come together to champion an important cause.

• A club taps the wide range of skills and talents of its members. If you have a flair for art, you could design animal-protection posters or environmental T-shirts. Another member—someone who has a way with words—could write public service announcements or letters to newspaper editors. Other club members might be dynamic speakers, thorough researchers, or good organizers. Your projects will be successful because of the efforts, experience, and creativity of all your club’s members.

Close Read 1. Look at the title of this

article and reread the first paragraph. What is the author’s claim?

2. In your own words, restate two of the reasons that the author gives to support the claim.

Issues Message Board LinksMProjects

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Power in NumbersWhy Student Clubs Are So Effective

Find Clubs Near You E-mail Article Print Article

3. One of the author’s reasons has been boxed. What examples are given to back up this reason?

http://www.humaneteen.org

4. In your opinion, does the author include enough evidence to support the claim? Is the evidence for or against the effectiveness of clubs?

text analysis workshop 937


Part 2: The Power of PersuasionThe persuasive messages that have made a lasting impression on you have probably been based on specific persuasive techniques, or methods, that were used to sway your heart and mind.

The persuasive techniques shown in the chart can make strong arguments even more powerful. However, they can also disguise flaws in weak arguments because these techniques can lead to faulty reasoning. Faulty reasoning is a claim based on information that is incorrect, biased, or simply does not make sense. The examples below will help you be alert to common kinds of faulty reasoning.

Appeals by Association

“Sell” a product or an idea by linking it with something or someone positive or influential

BandwagonTaps into people’s desire to belong to a group

Don’t miss the fundraiser that everyone’s talkingabout!

Emotional Appeals

Use strong feelings, rather than facts and evidence, to persuade

Appeal to FearMakes people feel as if their safety, security, or health is in danger

If a hurricane hit tomorrow, would your family be safe?

Appeal to VanityUses flattery to win people over

We’re looking for talented athletes like you. Join our after-school running club.

Loaded Language

Relies on words with strongly positive or negative associations

Words with Positive AssociationsBring to mind something exciting, comforting, or desirable

Sparkling waters, silky sands, and breezy air all await you at Shongum Lake Park.

Words with Negative AssociationsCall up unpleasant images, experiences, or feelings

The calves were raised in cramped, filthy stalls.

As the lead singer of Destination Home, I know good sound when I hear it. That’s why I won’t go anywhere without my FX portable music player.

TestimonialRelies on the backing of a celebrity, an expert, or a satisfied customer



Text Analysis Workshop

model 1: persuasion in writingIn this editorial, the author discusses a serious problem facing your generation. What persuasive techniques does he use to win you over?

Picture this situation. You’ve just gotten home from a long day at school. You’re not ready to start your homework, so you decide to kick back and watch TV. After seeing ads for greasy French fries, sugary soft drinks, and salty chips, you head to the kitchen to fix yourself an enormous (and unhealthy) snack. With the TV blaring in the background, you then waste hours on the Web.

If you think there’s nothing wrong with this lazy lifestyle, think again. Today’s teens are the most overweight and inactive generation in history, largely because of poor eating habits, lack of exercise, and exposure to mindless media. If teens don’t break these damaging habits, they will increase their risk of developing life-threatening diseases, such as diabetes and hypertension.

model 2: persuasion in advertisingAs you examine this public service ad, think about how the creators want you to react to its message.

Close Read 1. What is the claim in

this editorial? What supporting evidence does the writer provide?

2. What emotional appeal does the author use?

3. Two examples of loaded language have been boxed. Find three additional examples.

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A Recipe for DisasterWhy Today’s Teens Need to Shape Up

Magazine editorial by Luis Frontera

Close Read 1. What claim does this ad

make? What supporting evidence is provided?

2. Identify the persuasive technique that is used in this ad. Why was this technique used to target teens? Explain.

3. How does the photograph in this ad help to enhance the message? Review the messages in models 1 and 2. Compare and contrast the viewpoints in the messages, as well as the structures used to make the claims. Which message is more persuasive, and why?

Campaign for Fit Teens America

These teens have taken their health and well-being

into their own hands.

Will you join them or sit on the sidelines?



Part 3: Analyze the TextsNow, you’ll apply what you’ve learned as you analyze two texts—an editorial and a poster. Both texts are about pit bulls, but their similarities end there. As you read each text, notice the argument that is being presented and how each author’s viewpoint, or attitude toward the subject, differs.

Close Read 1. Reread lines 1–6. What

is the author’s claim?

2. Review the persuasive techniques listed on page 938. Which technique does the author use in the boxed sentence?

3. What reason does the author give in the third paragraph to support her claim? Explain this reason in your own words.

4. Reread lines 19–24. In your opinion, does the author include enough evidence to support her claim? Why or why not?

5. Are the facts in this editorial used for or against the issue of keeping pit bulls as pets? Explain.

Editorial by Lisa Epstein

Recently, pit bulls have become the targets of negative media coverage. All pit bulls have the urge to attack people, some articles state. They are a danger to children, a few experts say. And, they are just too violent to be household pets, some lawmakers believe. As the educated owner of a pit bull, I can say that these reports are false. Pit bulls are not necessarily violent toward humans. In fact, they can make affectionate, loving pets.

So where did the misperception come from? More than 200 years ago, pit bulls were bred to compete in fights with other dogs. For that reason, pit bulls had certain qualities—such as aggression and determination—that were important for fighting. Pit bulls today still have these same qualities, but they have other qualities as well: loyalty, friendliness, and a desire to please.

It’s true that some pit bulls, such as those featured in news stories, are violent. However, this is because of bad owners, not because they’re a violent breed. Some irresponsible owners train their pit bulls to fight or attack, and because pit bulls want to please their owners, they act accordingly. In contrast, owners who treat pit bulls with love are rewarded with endless affection in return.

People who still need proof that pit bulls aren’t violent can look at recent studies. For example, the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is an organization that rates all breeds of dogs based on qualities like shyness and friendliness. In one study, pit bulls got a better overall rating than golden retrievers, whom many people view as the friendliest dogs around.

So, don’t believe the unfair reports about how violent pit bulls are. In reality, they don’t want to attack us; they want to curl up at our feet.

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DANGEROUS

Threat?NO—Loving Pet!



Text Analysis Workshop

Close Read 1. In your own words,

describe the claim that this poster makes. What supporting evidence do you find?

2. What persuasive technique is used to convince the intended audience — responsible neighbors — of the claim? How can you tell?

3. How do the photograph and the page design add to the persuasive power of the poster? Explain your answer.

4. One example of loaded language has been boxed. Find two additional examples.

5. Compare and contrast the structure and viewpoints of these two different authors writing for the same purpose—to persuade you to accept their claims about pit bulls. Which text is most convincing? Why?

Not everyone agrees that pit bulls are cuddly, harmless creatures. What do the creators of this poster want viewers to know about pit bulls?

ROAMING OUR STREETS?

IS THIS THE KIND OF

Pit bulls are violent creatures, capable of biting and

attacking innocent children. These vicious beasts do not

belong in our neighborhood. Support the law that would

prohibit people from having pit bulls as pets.

Sponsored by Neighborhood Safety Watch

DOG THAT YOU WANT



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