1. Argument and Persuasion
Close Read Questions with Persuasive Devices

2. Standards we will cover today:
Identify a writer’s attitude.
Identify a writer’s purpose
Discern the stated or implied main idea and supporting details of informational texts.
Determine the appropriateness of a graphic used to support an informational text.
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3. Now, let’s look at some notes on argument and persuasion.
# 1 Tell me why it might be important to know how to argue your opinion on a topic.
# 2 Make a small list of topics that you can form an opinion about and argue over.
#3 Choose one topic that your wrote down, and form an opinion about it.
Let’s say that your topic is gun control in the United States. On your paper, you will form an opinion about gun control.
# 4 Now, tell me why it might be important for you to be able to appropriately argue about your specific topic.
Now, let’s look at some notes on argument and persuasion.

6. Counterargument-
A brief argument that denies the evidence that “the other side” is likely to raise.
Sample Counterargument:
Even though some people disagree with ________because of ___________, it is important to understand ___________ before jumping to a conclusion. Once all the facts are studied, it is easy to see why ______________ is the best solution.

7. back to the topic that you chose.
You need to provide support for your claim.
Come up with 3 reasons why you feel the way you do about your topic and claim.

8. * Check the claim – What is the writer trying to convince you to do or believe? Consider whether the reasons given actually support the claim.
* Examine the evidence- Does the information come from a trustworthy source? Is there enough of it to make the case?

9. *

10. * Consider the Counterargument- has the writer adequately dealt with likely objections? Remember, not everyone is going to agree with a writer’s opinions.

11. Sample Counterargument:
Even though some people disagree with ___________ because of ___________, it is important to understand ___________ before jumping to a conclusion. Once all the facts are studied, it is easy to see why ______________ is the best solution.
Even though some citizens think that weapons are extremely dangerous to our society because of ___________________________, it is important that we understand that our society was built on certain freedoms and rights. One of those rights was the right to carry weapons. ….
Now, turn to page 633 in your textbook. Let’s read the Youth Voter Participation Article.
You will need a blank sheet of paper for this assignment.
Label it : Close Read Argument and Persuasion Questions

12. In order for democracy to work, people need to vote.
Page 633
In order for democracy to work, people need to vote.
Reasons that support his claim:
Voting gives people a voice
Examples
Ensure that your kids receive the best education
That you will collect your social security benefits
That your taxes will support research for life-threatening diseases.

13. Page 633

14. Turn to page 634 for persuasive techniques

15. Page 635

16. Page 636

17. Page 636

18. Page 637

19. Check the claim – Does the claim possess an opinion that can be argued? Is it clear what the person wants you to believe or do? Yes or no and why.
ii. Examine the evidence- Does the person have at least 3 strong reasons to back up their claim. If they are strong, write which reason you feel is the strongest. If they are not strong, give the person advice to help him or her strengthen the supporting reasons.
iii. Look for logic - What do you notice is logical or factual about their claim? What do you notice is emotional or lacking in logic?
iv. Consider the counterargument- Does the person’s counterargument acknowledge those who might disagree with his or her opinion? Does this person discuss why someone might disagree with him or her? Is this person’s counterargument respectful? If yes to all of these questions, explain what you like about this person’s counterargument. If no to these questions, then explain what this person should work on in order to improve his or her counterargument.

20. v. Finally, you will write this person a friendly, yet helpful critique of his or her argument. Make sure to give this person pointers of what he or she needs, what he or she is missing, or what he or she did well on. Then, give this person back his or her paper, and…
vi. Repeat this process with two other people. Try not to look at what other people wrote. You don’t want your comments to look the same as everyone else’s.