1. Persuasive Text

2. Informational Text Expository Procedural Persuasive
text written with the intent to inform the reader-factual
Three categories of informational text:
Expository
Newspapers & magazine articles
Factual, Informative
Procedural
Steps in a process
May contain data
Instructions/directions, recipe, manual, procedure
Persuasive
Written to influence, argue, or make a request
Opinions supported with facts

3. Click picture to open the youtube video.

4. Persuasive Persuade- convince, argue, reason, coax, influence, sway
The main purpose of some texts is to persuade readers to do something, agree with an idea, or to buy something
You must carefully read persuasive texts to determine which words and phrases exaggerate, appeal to your emotions, or can’t be proven.

5. 3 persuasive formats

6. Argument Author has a very clear point of view
Can include more emotions
More opinions than other formats
Presents a lot of reasons to support the author’s point of view
Sometimes biased, not fair, to the other side
Includes strongly worded statements
Can be aggressive and read subjectively
What does the speaker believe?
How does she support her beliefs?
What types of information does she give?

7. Discussion Shows you all of the sides of an issue
Gives the reader a lot of information
Helps you understand more than one point of view
Author doesn’t take sides. Unclear which side the author is on
Reads objectively
Can include opinions for both sides
Pros and Cons
What was the issue we heard both sides of?
How are the sides supported?
Did the speaker make clear what their point of view is?

8. Persuasive Essays Takes on a big issue in the world
Tries to help the reader make a decision, choose a side
Gives a lot of information to make the reader better informed
May be able to infer the author’s point of view without it being obvious
What was the issue we learned about?
Did you learn mostly facts and information or opinions and stories?
Did the speaker make clear what their point of view is?

9. Parts a powerful argument

10. Part 1- Introduction Claim Argument
Statement the writer is trying to prove is true
Example:
Sixth Graders need recess.
Argument
Statement supporting the claim;
a reason
Example:
Taking away recess has made it harder to learn.

11. Part 2- Body Evidence Explanation So What?
Proof from a credible source
Facts
Data
Example:Exercise helps blood flow to all parts of our bodies and stimulates cell growth, even in our brains.
Explanation
Explains what the evidence proves
Example:
Exercise can help us improve our minds.
So What?
What the evidence and explanation show about the claim
Connects to support the argument
Main points that use logic and reasoning to justify claim
Example: Research shows that physical exercise helps prepare our minds for learning.

12. Part 3- Body Rebuttal Counter-claim
-Reason why counter-claim is not as strong as claim
-Evidence that disputes the counter-claim
Counter-claim
-Statement opposing the claim, the other side
-Opposition’s stance
Example:
Schools must teach students more and more every year and teachers need every minute of the day to fit everything in.
Example:
However, taking away recess has made it harder, not easier, for us to learn.

13. Part 4- Ending Conclusion Example: Restates claim
summarizes arguments, counter-claim, rebuttal
makes a recommendation
Example:
Please, let’s join the many other school districts that allow their sixth graders to enjoy recess. We need this important break in our stressful day.

14. Persuasive Strategies- techniques used to persuade the reader to do or believe something. Usually these strategies are full of faulty reasoning, inviting readers to draw conclusions that are not logical.
Strategy
Intended Effect
Example
Bandwagon
To make someone want to follow a crowd
Come see what everyone is talking about!
Loaded Words
Recognize as very negative or very positive words
All the hottest bands will play!
Peer Pressure
To think or act in a way to impress peers
Your friends will love your new look!
Repetition
Emphasize a product or idea, make sure it will be remembered
Repeating a product’s name many times in one ad.
Testimonial
To show a real person agrees with writer’s position
Critic John Smith calls it “the best move of the year!”
Transfer
To transfer feelings from one thing to another unrelated
Showing a picture of an athlete on a cereal box.

15. More Persuasive Strategies
Strategy
Intended Effect
Example
Logos
Convinces using logic and reasoning with evidence and facts
A Twix bar has 280 calories. That’s not very healthy!
Pathos
Tugs at the reader’s emotions and feelings; invokes sympathy, pity or anger
Your donation will get the puppy off the street.
Ethos
Ethical appeal to build trust by convincing of the author’s credibility or character
Believe me! I’ve been there before; I’m just like you!
Kairos
Builds a sense of urgency to encourage the reader to act fast
This is a one time offer! You can’t get this price after today!
Name-calling
For the reader to see your viewpoint after insulting someone or something on the other side
My opponent is a coward. You want someone who is courageous.
Endorsement
A celebrity or famous person says they use a product in order to sell it
Taylor Swift uses this makeup. You will be as beautiful as her if you wear it too!

16. STAAR Practice Dear Superintendent Wright,
It’s no secret that sixth graders in our school have been unhappy ever since the administration threw recess out of the school day. I’m writing to urge you to change your decision about recess. I understand that schools must teach students more and more every year. Teachers feel they need every minute of the day to fit everything in. However, I think taking recess away has made it harder, not easier, for us to learn.

17. I recently surveyed every sixth grader in our school about recess
I recently surveyed every sixth grader in our school about recess. Ninety-five percent agreed that recess was their favorite time of the school day. At recess we were able to spend time with our friends. We are still kids, after all, and kids need to spend time with friends and play. Recess allows us to do something we really enjoy for at least a few minutes every day. With the tons of homework sixth graders have, there is less time for socializing after school. Please allow us to have a few minutes of our favorite activity each day.

18. You must be aware of the research showing that physical exercise helps prepare our minds for learning. We have learned in science that exercise helps blood flow to all parts of our bodies and stimulates cell growth, even in our brains. Exercise then, can help us improve our minds. I admit that when we had recess, not every student used it for exercise. But those of us who did were surely better off for it. P.E. classes are great for jump-starting our brains, but we need to do this every day, not just twice a week.

19. Finally, I’d like to emphasize that all people, kids and adults, need recesses of some kind during their busy days. Here are a couple of examples of how adults have recesses too. During court trials, judges give everyone a recess when they need a break. Many corporations now give employees time during their workday to exercise. This makes the employees happier and more productive. If adults need recesses, surely kids do as well.

20. Please, let’s join the many other school districts that allow their sixth graders to have recess. We need this important break in our stressful days.
Sincerely,
Kristen Johnson

21. Question 1 Choice D is correct
You must determine the author’s specific purpose
The author gives a lot of information about recess and it’s benefits
All the information and descriptions are meant to support the author’s argument that recess is important
Her purpose is to convince the superintendent to allow recess again
Choice D is correct
What is the student’s main purpose for writing this letter?
to describe sixth grader’s unhappiness
to inform others that there will no longer be recess
to ask the superintendent some questions
to convince the superintendent to allow recess again

22. Question 2
You must identify a detail or fact that the author uses to support her argument
The author gives three main reasons why she thinks recess is important: students consider it their favorite time of day; exercise improves the ability to think; and everyone, even adults needs recess
To support the idea that exercise improves the ability to think, she uses the proven fact that exercise helps stimulate cell growth in the brain
Choice A is correct
Which piece of information from the letter supports the author’s argument that recess can improve a student’s ability to think?
Exercise helps stimulate cell growth in the brains.
Most kids say recess was their favorite time of day.
Some kids choose not to exercise during recess.
Kids need to socialize and play.

23. Question 3 Choice B is correct
You must describe the intended effect of a persuasive strategy
A bandwagon technique is one way to do this, claiming that “everyone” is doing something and therefore it must be the right thing to do
The writer tries to convince the superintendent to “follow the crowd” because all of the other districts are doing it
Choice B is correct
Reread this sentence from the letter. Please, let’s join the many other school districts that allow their sixth graders to have recess. What is the intended effect of this sentence?
to inform the superintendent about what others do
to convince the superintendent to “follow the crowd”
to help the superintendent understand the issue
to prove that the sixth graders want recess badly

24. Question 4
You must evaluate another persuasive strategy
Loaded words are words that cause strong negative or positive feelings
Authors often use negative words to convince readers that something is bad or wrong and they use positive words to convince readers that something is good or right
The author could have said that administrators “removed” recess, but instead used “throw out” to give it a negative feeling
Choice C is correct
Reread this sentence from the letter. It’s no secret that sixth graders in our school have been unhappy ever since admin has thrown recess out of the school day. What is the intended effect of saying that administrators threw recess out?
to inform others of what happened to recess
to suggest that administrators acted quickly
to suggest a negative feeling
to accurately describe how recess was removed

25. Guiding Questions for Persuasives
What does the author believe?
How do they support their believes?
What kinds of information do they give us? (Statistics, stories, strategies…)

26. Test-Taking Tips for Persuasive Passages
Read carefully and watch for propaganda and persuasion techniques. These techniques are often appealing because they present false or exaggerated statements as facts. Think about whether an author can supports statements he or she makes.
As you read, think about what the author is saying and why he or she is saying it. An author’s purpose will effect the text. Of what is the author trying to persuade you? When you’re finished reading, try to decide whether the author was effective in fulfilling his or her purpose.