Writing to Argue and Persuade

Which of these statements are true about persuasive and argument texts?

• Persuasive texts present one point of view.

• Persuasive texts present two points of view.

• Argument texts present one point of view.

• Argument texts present two points of view.

Read the text below. What is the main idea the writer wants readers to believe about the Elephant Sanctuary?

Kodanad Elephant Sanctuary is in beautiful Indian countryside near a peaceful riverside village in the charming Ernakulam district of the state of Kerala. This village is a popular picnic spot and tourist destination in Kerala too. It is the only elephant rescue and training centre in Kerala specialized for rescuing and training stranded adult and baby elephants from its forest regions. This government-run centre does an amazing job and it is only a short distance from the airport!

• Tourists should make sure they take a picnic to the village near the Elephant Sanctuary.

• There should be more Elephant Sanctuaries in India.

• The work at this Elephant Sanctuary is important and of a high quality.

• It is a good idea to have an Elephant Sanctuary near an airport.

Read the text below.

Success! 20 rare Siamese crocodiles hatched this week!

Congratulations to Laos scientists on having 20 hungry baby Siamese crocodiles to feed! Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), worked with the government of Laos to incubate and hatch the eggs of this endangered species at the Laos Zoo. In recent years, due to hunting and the loss of their habitat, Siamese crocodiles have become a critically endangered species. This successful breeding and hatching of so many crocodiles in captivity marks an important turning point in their battle for survival. To give them the greatest chance of survival in the wild, the baby crocs will be released after they turn two. So there's plenty of time to visit them while they grow up at the zoo.

Here are four sentences about the article. Which of them uses quotations correctly?

• Only the Wildlife Conservation society, worked with the government of Laos to breed the crocodiles, which suggests the WCS is an important group.

• Sadly, the writer tells us that in recent years, "Siamese crocodiles have become a critically endangered species."

• The writer says the hatching marks an important turning point" which impresses on readers that this event is a special moment.

• Using the word "congratulations suggests that the writer is really impressed by the work of the Laos Government."

What is the term used to describe positive or negative words that are deliberately designed to make a reader have strong feelings?

• Anecdotes

• Emotive words

• Exaggeration (hyperbole)

What is the term used to describe a writer being very over the top?

• Anecdotes

• Emotive

• Exaggeration (hyperbole)

What is the name for the types of questions that appear in writing that aren't dialogue?

• Exaggeration

• Rhetorical Questions

• Anecdotes

What is the term used to describe where a writer will show the differences in viewpoints or idea:

"Some people may think this, but that is ridiculous because..."?

• Quotes

• Contrasts

• Rhetorical Questions

What is the term used to describe when a writer will use words such as, 'I' or 'we' or 'you' to seem to 'talk directly' to the reader?

• Anecdotes

• Exaggeration

• Personal pronoun