Author's Claim-FSA Practice

Florida - Benchmarks for Excellent Student Thinking: ELA.3.R.2.4

Identify an author’s claim and explain how an author uses evidence to support the claim.

Argumentative Texts

Argumentative texts are passages that argue to support a point. The author takes a stand on a particular issue and tries to support it with reasoning and facts. The author is trying to convince the audience to agree with him or her.

​When reading an argumentative text, ask yourself —

• What does the author want the reader to believe or do? For example, does the author want the readers to think it's important to recycle? Does he or she want the readers to actually start recycling at home? Or is the author trying to get the reader to buy a recycling bin?
  

• Who is the author's intended audience? For example, is the author "talking to" a group of teachers? Or to a group of school children? Or to a group of lawmakers who can work to make or change a law?
  

• What facts does the author use to support his or her claim? Does the author provide information from experts? Does he or she provide information that can be proven true?

Know the difference between:

FACT AND OPINION​

​

FACT: Cats have six times better night vision than humans. OPINION: For most Americans, cats make better pets than dogs.

Go to the next slide to practice working with argumentative texts.

Multiple Choice

Did you know that dancing makes you smarter? Scientists have found that people who danced a lot forgot less as they got older. In fact, these people, 75 and older, found dancing more helpful than reading! Dancing was better for their minds than playing tennis or golf, or walking.

People have to think of the steps when they dance. They have to quickly decide how to move! They also worry less and relax more. Let’s have fun and get smarter along the way by dancing!

Which of these is true based on this passage?

• One must choose between dancing and walking.

• Tennis is not a sport for people 75 and older.

• People should dance even when they get older.

Multiple Choice

Did you know that dancing makes you smarter? Scientists have found that people who danced a lot forgot less as they got older. In fact, these people, 75 and older, found dancing more helpful than reading! Dancing was better for their minds than playing tennis or golf, or walking.

People have to think of the steps when they dance. They have to quickly decide how to move! They also worry less and relax more. Let’s have fun and get smarter along the way by dancing!

How is the author trying to convince the reader to dance?

• By showing which dance moves are the most fun of all

• By describing how different kinds of dance moves are done

• By explaining how dance can make people become smarter

• By describing how different kinds of dance moves are done