1. Doing Nothing Is Something
Persuasive Essay by Anna Quindlen
Introducing the Persuasive Essay
with
Elements of Nonfiction: Argument
Reading Skill: Distinguish Fact
from Opinion
Vocabulary in Context
VIDEO TRAILER

2. How should you spend your FREE TIME?
INTRODUCING THE PERSUASIVE ESSAY
How should you spend your FREE TIME?
What is your typical day like?
School and homework must take up a lot of time.
If you have other commitments, such as a job, sports practice, or family chores, then there’s probably not much room in your life for leisure.

3. How should you spend your FREE TIME?
INTRODUCING THE PERSUASIVE ESSAY
How should you spend your FREE TIME?
In this essay, Anna Quindlen explores whether young people have enough leisure time or are too busy for their own good.
DISCUSS
Free Time
If you had more free time, how would you spend it?
1. Draw cartoons.
2. Take long walks.
Make a list of things you would do—or not do. 3.
Then discuss with a partner how you would benefit from the extra free time. 4. 5.

4. Doing Nothing Is Something
Click on the title to play the trailer.
Doing Nothing Is Something

5. Argument
At the heart of every argument is a claim, the writer’s position on an issue. To convince readers that a claim is valid, a writer must offer support, which may consist of
• reasons that explain or justify an action, a belief, or a decision
• evidence in the form of facts, statistics, examples, or the views of experts
Everyone should recycle as much as possible. There is very little room left in landfills, and most forms of plastic and glass do not biodegrade.
Everyone should recycle as much as possible. Earth is the only home we have, and humans are responsible for taking care of it.

6. Argument
In “Doing Nothing Is Something,” Anna Quindlen discusses a topic particular to contemporary U.S. society.
Over the years, United States’ culture has undergone a shift in the use of leisure time.
Quindlen claims that this shift in perspective is detrimental to children and the adults they will become.

7. Argument
As you read, use a chart like the one shown to help you identify Anna Quindlen’s claim and the support she provides.
Claim:
We need to allow children to have downtime in the summer.
Reason
Evidence
Children are overscheduled.
A suburb set aside one night free of homework, athletic practices, and after-school events.

8. Distinguish Fact from Opinion
A fact is a statement that can be proved, such as, “Most U.S. households have Internet access.”
An opinion is a statement of belief, such as “I think people rely too much on the Internet.”

9. Distinguish Fact from Opinion
Appropriate education and local legislation are needed to encourage responsible pet ownership and help reduce pet overpopulation.
I believe the city’s mandatory spay-neuter law was a good idea and will really help with the pet overpopulation problem.
People often use words and phrases such as I think, I believe, perhaps, and maybe to state their opinions—but not always.
To identify opinions that lack such telltale words and phrases, remember that an opinion cannot be proved; at best, an opinion can only be supported.

10. contemptuous
deficit
hiatus
laudable
prestigious
The vocabulary words in the box on the right help Quindlen make her point about free time. To see how many words you know, match each vocabulary word from the list with its synonym. Answers appear in brackets.
1. prominent
2. shortfall
3. break
[prestigious]
[deficit]
[hiatus]
4. disdainful
5. praiseworthy
[contemptuous]
[laudable]

11. contemptuous adj. scornful or disrespectful
deficit n. a shortfall or deficiency
hiatus n. a gap or break in continuity
laudable adj. worthy of high praise
prestigious adj. having a great reputation; highly respected