Persuasive Writing (Reading)

Persuasive Writing (Reading)

Analyzing Persuasive Writing

So, here's what we'll do today:

• Remember what persuasive writing is;

• Read a persuasive article

• Analyze said persuasive article

  • Figure out the main idea, topic sentences, and supporting statement​s of the article.

English

Reading Persuasive Writing

In case you've forgotten:

• Persuasive writing is essentially a type of non-fiction.

  • Not a short story, novel, etc.

• It aims to persuade--or convin​ce--its readers to:

  • accept a certain belief or idea;

  • do something you want them to do;

  • or both at the same time.

English

Reading Persuasive Writing

Main Idea

• The main idea of a persuasive writing is functionally identical to the main ideas of all other types of writing.

• That is, it's what you want your readers to understand after they finish reading your text.

• Like this one: "Dogs are awesome."

• But, main ideas need to be supported by a lot of things.

English

Reading Persuasive Writing

Topic Sentence

• The first thing that's essential for supporting main ideas are basically a bunch of paragraphs.

• And these paragraphs must have topic sentences that support the main idea

• Topic Sentences:

  • "Dogs are very friendly...," "Dogs can protect your home...," "Dogs are extremely loyal...," and so on.

English

Reading Persuasive Writing

Supporting Statements

• Now, supporting statements support the topic sentences.

• If the topic sentence is "Dogs are very friendly."

• Then the appropriate supporting statements should likely be:

  • "Most dogs are nice to you, so long as you're nice to them. If you treat them well, such as by feeding them, giving them shelter, and so on, then they'll likely be your friend. Keep doing so, and they'll never want to be separated from you, becoming your best constant companion."

English

Reading Persuasive Writing

Let's analyze one!

• Try your best to:

  • Grasp the main idea.

  • Highlight the topic sentences.

  • Detect the supporting statements.

• Take your time, there's no need to rush.

• If you find this to be difficult, it's alright since learning how to write is never easy. Even when there's an example.

English

Reading Persuasive Writing

Read the article I just sent you!

It's about video games!

Take your time reading it.

You can review it while you're answering questions.​

Oh, you can ask me for hints anytime!​

https://www.geico.com/living/home/technology/9-reasons-to-give-video-games-a-try/on

Multiple Choice

According to the article, is the following sentence true, false, or unknown?

"Playing games enhances your memory because they require you to pay attention to detail, thus exercising your brain."

• True

• False

• Unknown

Multiple Choice

According to the article, is the following sentence true, false, or unknown?

"Action games can help improve your eyesight."

• True

• False

• Unknown

Multiple Choice

According to the article, is the following sentence true, false, or unknown?

"Playing games for more than sixteen hours a day will never damage your eyes."

• True

• False

• Unknown

Multiple Choice

According to the article, is the following sentence true, false, or unknown?

"Playing video games makes your brain slower, but help it make better decisions."

• True

• False

• Unknown

Multiple Choice

According to the article, is the following sentence true, false, or unknown?

"Performing tasks faster in a video game results in you performing tasks faster in real life."

• True

• False

• Unknown

Multiple Choice

According to the article, is the following sentence true, false, or unknown?

"Strategy games can help you perform mathematical calculations more quickly, and more accurately."

• True

• False

• Unknown

Multiple Choice

According to the article, is the following sentence true, false, or unknown?

"Strategy games improve your ability to multi-task."

• True

• False

• Unknown

Multiple Choice

According to the article, is the following sentence true, false, or unknown?

"In general, playing games can relieve you of your stress."

• True

• False

• Unknown

Multiple Choice

What do you think is the main idea of the article?

• Playing games can be good for you and your health.

• Playing games will never help you develop any of your skills.

• There are only a few specific games that provide benefits to you.

Multiple Choice

Do you think the article is telling you to play video games?

• Yes

• No

• Maybe

Open Ended

How is the article persuading you to play games?

Open Ended

What are the topic sentences that support the main idea?

Open Ended

What are the topic sentences that support the main idea?

Poll

Which of these supporting statements don't support the "Just playing can make your memory better!" topic sentence?

• However, people who played video games for half an hour a day – specifically games set in 3D worlds – saw an increase in their ability to remember things.

• Games that explore 3D environments require attention to detail and are great exercise for your brain.

• Action games change colors quickly, improving your brain’s ability to process color.

Multiple Choice

Which of these supporting statements don't support the "A 2009 study conducted by a group of researchers determined games can actually help your eyesight instead of hurting it," topic sentence?

• [...] playing action games after eye surgery or getting corrective lenses can actually help your eyes heal faster!

• You’re going to hurt your eyes staring at that screen all day!

• In other words, it’s the brain’s ability to tell the difference between changes in color.

Multiple Choice

Which of these supporting statements don't support the "Games that require you to use delicate movements can be a big boost to your coordination!" topic sentence?

• A 2013 study determined that strategy games could improve cognitive flexibility.

• As you learn how to play a game, you can perform tasks in the game faster.

• This muscle memory makes it easier to take knowledge and skills you’ve learned in a game and use them in other areas, too.

Multiple Choice

Which of these supporting statements don't support the "Some games can actually improve your decision and problem-solving skills!" topic sentence?

• This muscle memory makes it easier to take knowledge and skills you’ve learned in a game and use them in other areas, too.

• [...] players who enjoy strategy and resource management games can multi-task and make better, quicker decisions.

• Time management, tower defense, and resource management games are all rely on strategic thinking.

Multiple Choice

Which of these supporting statements don't support the "After playing casual games for just 20 minutes, patients showed the positive effects of play," topic sentence?

• Scientists call this increased heart-rate variability, and it’s directly tied to reducing stress.

• Mastering these challenges helps players improve their decision-making skills in real life, giving you the tools to make better decisions even faster!

• Researchers also noticed an increase in brain activity that improved players’ moods across the board.

And we're done with this one!

• Do you think your understanding of persuasive writing is increasing?

• What aspects of persuasive writing are challenging to you?​

• Do you have an idea you'd like people to understand and believe in, something you want people to do, or something that you want people to believe in and do?

• Would you like to try writing a persuasive article?​

English

Reading Persuasive Writing