so you think you can

SO YOU THINK YOU SO YOU THINK YOU CAN CAN

All About All About Writing Writing

PersuasivelyPersuasively

ARGUEARGUE

WHAT IS WHAT IS AN AN ARGUMENARGUMENT?T?

An An argumentargument is just a statement that is just a statement that someone believes is or should be true.someone believes is or should be true.

Kids should be in school Kids should be in school Monday through Saturday!Monday through Saturday!

A A counterargumentcounterargument expresses expresses the opposite point of view.the opposite point of view.

Kids should Kids should notnot have to go have to go to school on Saturdays.to school on Saturdays.

““I NEED I NEED BACKUP!”BACKUP!”

A main argument all by itself is A main argument all by itself is not very strong. not very strong. Supporting argumentsSupporting arguments explain explain why the main argument is true.why the main argument is true.

Main ArgumentMain Argument

Kids should not have to go to school on Kids should not have to go to school on Saturdays.Saturdays.

Supporting ArgumentsSupporting Arguments

Students need a rest.Students need a rest.

Most working parents have weekends off, Most working parents have weekends off, and students need to be with their and students need to be with their families.families.

Some students have jobs.Some students have jobs.

Students need time for other activities.Students need time for other activities.

ARE YOU ARE YOU LABORING UNDER LABORING UNDER

AA

Common myths about arguingCommon myths about arguing

MISCONCEPTION??MISCONCEPTION??

COMMON MYTHS ABOUT COMMON MYTHS ABOUT ARGUINGARGUING

MytMythh An argument is just people yelling at each other.An argument is just people yelling at each other.

RealitRealityyArguments can be very calm. An argument in Arguments can be very calm. An argument in

writing is silent!writing is silent!


MytMythh You have to totally believe in what you are You have to totally believe in what you are

arguing.arguing.

RealitRealityyMaking an argument has nothing to do with how Making an argument has nothing to do with how

you feel.you feel.

(Bet you can think of one reason why school (Bet you can think of one reason why school shouldshould be on be on Saturdays…)Saturdays…)


MytMythh Every argument has a right and wrong side.Every argument has a right and wrong side.

RealitRealityyMost of the time, the two sides of an argument Most of the time, the two sides of an argument

are just different opinions. Neither side is really are just different opinions. Neither side is really right or wrong.right or wrong.


MytMythh You can’t be good at arguing unless you can You can’t be good at arguing unless you can

think fast on your feet.think fast on your feet.

RealitRealityyA lot of great arguing takes place on paper, A lot of great arguing takes place on paper,

where you can take as much time as you need where you can take as much time as you need to think everything through.to think everything through.

ARGUE ON ARGUE ON PAPER? WHY PAPER? WHY

WOULD I WANT WOULD I WANT TO DO THAT? TO DO THAT?

Imagine this:Imagine this: Your state legislature is thinking Your state legislature is thinking about passing a law that says kids can’t drive until about passing a law that says kids can’t drive until they are 18. You want to write a letter to convince they are 18. You want to write a letter to convince your state senator to vote against the idea. What your state senator to vote against the idea. What would you say?would you say?

Or this:Or this: Your city decided to close the park where Your city decided to close the park where you always hang out and play basketball. The city you always hang out and play basketball. The city officials say there was too much trouble at the park officials say there was too much trouble at the park and there was trash everywhere. Would you know and there was trash everywhere. Would you know what to write in a letter that would convince them to what to write in a letter that would convince them to re-open the park?re-open the park?

Uh-oh ...

Or even this:Or even this: You bought a used truck from the car You bought a used truck from the car lot downtown, but the truck didn’t have a stereo. lot downtown, but the truck didn’t have a stereo. The salesman told you they would take a stereo The salesman told you they would take a stereo from a different truck and install it in your truck. He from a different truck and install it in your truck. He said it would work great. You drove your truck said it would work great. You drove your truck home and discovered the stereo doesn’t work at all!home and discovered the stereo doesn’t work at all!

You called the car lot, but You called the car lot, but they refuse to fix the they refuse to fix the problem. You want to write problem. You want to write a letter demanding they fix a letter demanding they fix the stereo!the stereo!

You’re gonna You’re gonna need…need…

PERSUASIVPERSUASIVE WRITINGE WRITING

What word do you see inside the word “persuasive”?What word do you see inside the word “persuasive”?

________________________________________________________persuadepersuade

What does it mean to “persuade” someone?What does it mean to “persuade” someone?

(A)(A) To disturb someone about somethingTo disturb someone about something

(B)(B) To sweat on someoneTo sweat on someone

(C)(C) To convince someone that something is trueTo convince someone that something is true

(D)(D) To cause someone to be confused To cause someone to be confused about somethingabout something

When you write persuasively, you use arguments When you write persuasively, you use arguments to convince the reader that something is true. to convince the reader that something is true.

TWO TWO KINDS KINDS

OF OF ARGUMENARGUMEN

TSTS

TWO KINDS OF TWO KINDS OF ARGUMENTSARGUMENTS

Should/Should NotShould/Should Not Does/Does NotDoes/Does NotArgue why something Argue why something should or should or should not be trueshould not be true..

Should/Should NotShould/Should Not Does/Does NotDoes/Does NotArgue why something Argue why something should or should or should not be trueshould not be true..

Argue why something Argue why something does or does or does not violate a ruledoes not violate a rule..


Should/Should Not Does/Does NotArgue why something should or should not be true.

Argue why something does or does not violate a rule.

Use this kind of argument when you are arguing your opinion about something.


Should/Should Not Does/Does NotArgue why something should or should not be true.

Argue why something does or does not violate a rule.

Use this kind of argument when you are arguing your opinion about something.

Use this kind of argument when there is already a rule in place.


Should/Should NotShould/Should Not Does/Does NotDoes/Does NotArgue why something Argue why something should or should or should not be true.should not be true.

Argue why something Argue why something does or does or does not violate a rule.does not violate a rule.

Use this kind of argument when Use this kind of argument when you are arguing your opinion you are arguing your opinion about something.about something.

Use this kind of argument when Use this kind of argument when there is already a rule in place.there is already a rule in place.

Example: Example: Should school be held Should school be held Monday through Saturday?Monday through Saturday?


Should/Should NotShould/Should Not Does/Does NotDoes/Does NotArgue why something Argue why something should or should or should not be true.should not be true.

Argue why something Argue why something does or does or does not violate a rule.does not violate a rule.

Use this kind of argument when Use this kind of argument when you are arguing your opinion you are arguing your opinion about something.about something.

Use this kind of argument when Use this kind of argument when there is already a rule in place.there is already a rule in place.

Example: Example: Should school be held Should school be held Monday through Saturday?Monday through Saturday?

Example: Example: The school rule says The school rule says no hats. Sarah wore a giant no hats. Sarah wore a giant ribbon on her head. Did Sarah ribbon on her head. Did Sarah break the rule?break the rule?


CREATING CREATING MAIN MAIN

“DOES/DOES “DOES/DOES NOT”NOT”

ARGUMENARGUMENTSTS

LET’S PRACTICE!LET’S PRACTICE!

Your kid sister Sarah attends Your kid sister Sarah attends 2Cool4U Elementary School. The 2Cool4U Elementary School. The school rules say students are not school rules say students are not allowed to wear hats inside the allowed to wear hats inside the building. The rules say a hat is building. The rules say a hat is anything that covers and protects a anything that covers and protects a person’s head. Sarah wore a giant person’s head. Sarah wore a giant ribbon in her hair and got in trouble ribbon in her hair and got in trouble for violating the no-hat rule! for violating the no-hat rule!

Did Sarah really violate the rule?Did Sarah really violate the rule?

There are two possible main arguments:There are two possible main arguments:

1)1) Sarah did not violate the Sarah did not violate the rule because her ribbon is rule because her ribbon is not a hat, not a hat, oror

2)2) Sarah did violate the rule Sarah did violate the rule because her ribbon is a because her ribbon is a hat.hat.

What do you think?What do you think? (Wait—Don’t answer that yet…)(Wait—Don’t answer that yet…)

Ha! That was a trick question.Ha! That was a trick question.

Making arguments is a skill that you learn. Making arguments is a skill that you learn. “What you think” doesn’t really matter at all. “What you think” doesn’t really matter at all. You should be able to argue for both sides no You should be able to argue for both sides no matter which side you think is right. matter which side you think is right.

LET’S TRY ANOTHER:LET’S TRY ANOTHER:

The park rules say, “Don’t walk on the grass.” The park rules say, “Don’t walk on the grass.” Misti avoided a neatly-mowed lawn but cut Misti avoided a neatly-mowed lawn but cut across another mowed area that was mostly across another mowed area that was mostly weeds. Did Misti violate the rule? weeds. Did Misti violate the rule?

The two possible arguments are…The two possible arguments are…

1.1.___________________________________ ___________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________

2.2.___________________________________ ___________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________

Misti did not violate the rule because she walked on aMisti did not violate the rule because she walked on aweedy area, not on the grass.weedy area, not on the grass.

Misti did violate the rule because there was grass inMisti did violate the rule because there was grass inthe area where she walked.the area where she walked.

AND ANOTHER:AND ANOTHER:

The beach rules say “Don’t feed the ducks.” The beach rules say “Don’t feed the ducks.” Jason ate all but the corner of his sandwich, Jason ate all but the corner of his sandwich, then tossed the last bite to a goose standing then tossed the last bite to a goose standing nearby. Did Jason violate the rule? nearby. Did Jason violate the rule?

The two possible arguments are…The two possible arguments are…

1.1.___________________________________ ___________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________

2.2.___________________________________ ___________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________

Jason did not violate the rule because a gooseJason did not violate the rule because a gooseis not a duck.is not a duck.

Jason did violate the rule because the beach ruleJason did violate the rule because the beach rulemeans any water bird and a goose is a water bird.means any water bird and a goose is a water bird.

DEVELOPIDEVELOPING NG

SUPPORTISUPPORTING NG

ARGUMENARGUMENTSTS

A main argument by itself is not A main argument by itself is not enough. You have to convince people enough. You have to convince people why your main argument is true.why your main argument is true.

You do this by using You do this by using supporting arguments.supporting arguments.

Next, let’s look at some Next, let’s look at some supporting arguments. supporting arguments. You will decide which You will decide which main argument each main argument each supporting argument supporting argument supports.supports.

Ready?Ready?

HAT OR NOT?HAT OR NOT?


Supporting Argument #1Supporting Argument #1::

The ribbon is something on her head.The ribbon is something on her head.

School Rule: A hat School Rule: A hat is anything that is anything that covers and protects covers and protects a person’s head. a person’s head.

(A)(A) This argument supports the idea that Sarah did not This argument supports the idea that Sarah did not violate the rule because her ribbon is not a hat.violate the rule because her ribbon is not a hat.

(B)(B) This argument supports the idea that Sarah did violate This argument supports the idea that Sarah did violate the rule because her ribbon is a hat.the rule because her ribbon is a hat.



The ribbon is too flimsy to protect Sarah’s head.The ribbon is too flimsy to protect Sarah’s head.






The ribbon does not cover all of Sarah’s head.The ribbon does not cover all of Sarah’s head.






The ribbon could protect her head from rain or dust.The ribbon could protect her head from rain or dust.






The ribbon would not keep Sarah’s head warm.The ribbon would not keep Sarah’s head warm.






The ribbon covers most of Sarah’s head.The ribbon covers most of Sarah’s head.






The ribbon could protect Sarah’s head from sunlight.The ribbon could protect Sarah’s head from sunlight.






The ribbon is not fitted to Sarah’s head.The ribbon is not fitted to Sarah’s head.




IF YOU’VE IF YOU’VE SEEN ONE SEEN ONE ARGUMENARGUMENT...T...

… … you have you have notnot seen them all! Some arguments seen them all! Some arguments are better than others. Look at the four arguments are better than others. Look at the four arguments below. Which one do you think is the strongest? below. Which one do you think is the strongest? Weakest? Weakest?

The ribbon is too flimsy to protect Sarah’s head from anything.The ribbon is too flimsy to protect Sarah’s head from anything.

The ribbon does not cover all of Sarah’s head.The ribbon does not cover all of Sarah’s head.

The ribbon would not keep Sarah’s head warm.The ribbon would not keep Sarah’s head warm.

The ribbon is not fitted to Sarah’s head.The ribbon is not fitted to Sarah’s head.

MINI-MINI-QUIZ!QUIZ!

MINI QUIZMINI QUIZ

True True

FalseFalse

1.1. You can only make an argument about You can only make an argument about something if you feel very strongly about it.something if you feel very strongly about it.

Making an argument has nothing to do with Making an argument has nothing to do with how you actually feel. It is a skill you learn.how you actually feel. It is a skill you learn.

MINI QUIZMINI QUIZ

True True

FalseFalse

2.2. Persuasive writing is meant to convince Persuasive writing is meant to convince someone that something is true.someone that something is true.

Exactly! The whole point is to “persuade” someone.Exactly! The whole point is to “persuade” someone.

MINI QUIZMINI QUIZ

True True

FalseFalse

3.3. All arguments are equally strong.All arguments are equally strong.

Some arguments are stronger and more Some arguments are stronger and more convincing than others.convincing than others.

MINI QUIZMINI QUIZ

True True

FalseFalse

4.4. If there is already a rule in place, you will use If there is already a rule in place, you will use a should/should not argument.a should/should not argument.

When there is already a rule, you will argue whether When there is already a rule, you will argue whether something does or does not violate that rule.something does or does not violate that rule.

MINI QUIZMINI QUIZ

True True

FalseFalse

5.5. An argument is a statement that someone An argument is a statement that someone claims is or should be true.claims is or should be true.

Whether you’re arguing that Sarah did violate the Whether you’re arguing that Sarah did violate the rule or that students should not go to school on rule or that students should not go to school on Saturdays, you are claiming that statement is true.Saturdays, you are claiming that statement is true.

MINI QUIZMINI QUIZ

True True

FalseFalse

6.6. An argument can take place without any An argument can take place without any yelling at all.yelling at all.

We’re talking about arguments that are meant to We’re talking about arguments that are meant to persuade. Yelling won’t help, but good reasoning will.persuade. Yelling won’t help, but good reasoning will.

MINI QUIZMINI QUIZ

True True

FalseFalse

7.7. There is a right and wrong side to every There is a right and wrong side to every argument.argument.

Most of the time, the different sides of an argument Most of the time, the different sides of an argument are just different opinions. However, people may are just different opinions. However, people may believe very strongly that one side is correct.believe very strongly that one side is correct.

MINI QUIZMINI QUIZ

True True

FalseFalse

8.8. Sarah looks very cool in her big ribbon.Sarah looks very cool in her big ribbon.

Um… Everyone is entitled to an opinion!Um… Everyone is entitled to an opinion!

MINI QUIZMINI QUIZ

True True

FalseFalse

9.9. People often use persuasive writing when People often use persuasive writing when writing letters about important issues.writing letters about important issues.

Writing letters is one of the most common uses of Writing letters is one of the most common uses of persuasive writing in everyday life.persuasive writing in everyday life.

MINI QUIZMINI QUIZ

True True

FalseFalse

10.10. You use arguments to persuade someone You use arguments to persuade someone that your viewpoint is correct.that your viewpoint is correct.

That’s why it’s called “persuasive” writing!That’s why it’s called “persuasive” writing!

NEXT TIME:NEXT TIME:What would you do if your school suddenly What would you do if your school suddenly changed the rules and banned something you changed the rules and banned something you like to wear? like to wear?

This sounds like This sounds like trouble . . . trouble . . .

so you think you can

Documents

main argument kids

different truck

arguments students

saturdayscommon myths

acommon myths

used truck

truck home

truck didnt