ARGUMENTATIVE LESSON for MMU2

ARGUMENT or ARGUMENTATIVE PASSAGE

WHY WRITE IT?

Authors write argumentative texts for specific purposes:

●Usually, to share opinions or ideas about certain
issues or topics

●Sometimes, to persuade readers to think or feel
certain ways about the issues or topics.

WRITE FOR WHO?

Authors also write argumentative texts for specific
audiences.

●Audiences are the people authors want to
educate or to persuade about the topics or
issues.

Argumentative texts have several important features.

●The claim - main argument or point the author
expresses in the text.

○Often, an idea the author tries to persuade the
audience to agree with.

○Usually directly stated in the text.

■For example, an essay about recycling
might include the claim that all schools
should have recycling programs.

●Facts and relevant details are needed to support the
claim.

○help the reader know the author's claim about the
argument can be trusted.

○EXAMPLE: In the recycling essay, the author might
include facts and details about how plastic litter
pollutes playgrounds to support the claim that
schools should have recycling programs.

●Techniques:

○ anecdote -capture the reader's attention and
help the reader connect to the issue or topic.

■An anecdote is an experience related to
the topic or issue that has a personal
connection to the author.

■EXAMPLE: In the recycling essay, the
author might share an anecdote about a
time when he or she was running on the
school playground and tripped over a
discarded plastic bottle.

●anecdote

●explain

●argument

●fact

●argumentative text

●identify

●author

●Intended audience/reader

●characteristic

●recognize

●claim

●structure

Academic TEKS VOCAB ARGUMENTATIVE

anecdote - a brief story that illustrates a point made by an author

argument - a reason that uses logic and persuasion to support a position or
point of view

argumentative text – a text with the purpose of changing the reader's point of
view or of bringing about action

author - a person who writes a text

characteristic – a feature or an attribute that helps to identify or describe

claim - an assertion presented in an expository or persuasive text that is
supported by facts, details, and examples

explain - to make clear; to provide the reason or the cause

fact a statement that can be proven using reliable sources

identify - to recognize; to name

intended audience/reader - the group of listeners or readers anticipated to
hear or read a text

recognize - to become aware; to notice

structure - the basic form or visual presentation that emerges when the parts
of a written text create the whole

WHEN READING ARGUMENTATIVE TEXTS:

Before reading, ask:

*What claim do I predict the author will make?

During reading, stop to ask:

*What claim is shared?

After reading, ask:

*How did the author support his claim with facts and
details?

*Are any ANECDOTES USED?

*What audience did the author probably write this for?

Why is it important to use facts to support a
claim in an argumentative text?

In order to KNOW that the claim and author
makes can be trusted.

Using a graphic organizer might help you understand an
author's argument when you read texts.

Author's Claim:

Supporting Fact #1
Supporting Fact #2
Supporting Fact #3

Example/Anecdote:

Match

Match the following for the Argumentative Text

• anecdote

• audience

• claim

• facts, details

• argumentative text

brief story that illustrates point made

people author wants to persuade, educate

main argument or point

support the claim & make it trustworthy

written purpose to change reader's mind

• brief story that illustrates point made

• people author wants to persuade, educate

• main argument or point

• support the claim & make it trustworthy

• written purpose to change reader's mind