Persuasive language: Read and Respond

When you argue, you are giving reasons for or against something. You might make an argument in school for a paper or presentation. Or you could make an argument at home when you're talking with friends and family. You're much more likely to make a strong point with your argument if you prepare. You will also make a strong point if you provide a lot of solid evidence to back up, or support, your claim.

Read the following passage.

Bike riding should be banned from public parks. Cyclists may enjoy riding on the trails, but there is not enough room for both bikers and walkers. Bikes also sometimes crash into people walking or playing in the park. Cyclists should be asked to get off their bikes and walk them through the park instead of riding. This way, everyone can enjoy the park.

Which detail from the passage uses evidence to support the claim that bike riding should be banned from public parks?

• “Cyclists may enjoy riding on the trails…”

• “Bikes also sometimes crash into people walking or playing in the park.”

• “Cyclists should be asked to get off their bikes and walk them through the park instead of riding.”

• “This way, everyone can enjoy the park.”

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Smiling can be a great strategy to use when presenting an argument in person. In writing, there are other strategies you can use to be persuasive. You can use facts to support your claims. You can anticipate a counterclaim. This means you can imagine what someone may argue against your claim and then write about those concerns.

Read the following passage.

Bike riding should be allowed in public parks. Both cyclists and walkers can easily share the trails as long as they follow the rules of the park. According to the rules, cyclists should stay on the right side of the trails and always let walkers pass first. Some people may argue that cyclists do not always follow the rules. The parks department should make sure that the rules are clearly posted in the parks. This will remind people of how they should share this space.

Which of the following details from the passage anticipates a counterclaim to the argument that bike riding should be allowed in public parks?

• “Bike riding should be allowed in public parks.”

• “According to the rules, cyclists should stay on the right side of the trails and always let walkers pass first.”

• “Some people may argue that cyclists do not always follow the rules.”

• “Both cyclists and walkers can easily share public trails…”

When you are trying to persuade someone, appeal to your listener. Make your argument about the other person and not just about yourself. For example, if you’re selling lemonade, saying, “Buy my lemonade because I’m awesome” is not a strong argument. Instead, give the other person examples of why buying your lemonade will benefit them. “It’s a hot day, and you won’t be thirsty if you drink my lemonade!” is an argument that appeals to the listener.

The following passage is written for teachers. Use it to answer the question below.

School buses should play music in the morning for students. As a teacher, imagine how much more energized, focused and ready to learn your students would be if they were motivated by the music they enjoy. I love listening to music in the morning. Other students would certainly enjoy this, too. It would also give students the chance to relax and reflect before beginning the school day.

Which detail from the passage provides the best example of appealing to an audience?

• “As a teacher, imagine how much more energized, focused and ready to learn your students would be...”

• “I love listening to music in the morning.”

• “School buses should play music in the morning for students.”

• “Other students would certainly enjoy this, too.”

Weak arguments might might be very general instead of being specific. If Elsie had said that the camping trip would be “fun,” she would not have been as convincing. Instead, she is specific about why the trip would be fun for her.

Read the following passage.

I should be allowed to go to the dance because it will be awesome. I’ll get to see my friends and show off my dancing talents. I’ve been practicing a new dance for two months! Going to the dance will help build my social skills, and there will be teachers chaperoning the whole time.

Which detail is the weakest part of the argument?

• “Going to the dance will help build my social skills…”

• “...there will be teachers chaperoning the whole time.”

• “I should be allowed to go to the dance because it will be awesome.”

• “I’ll get to see my friends and show off my dancing talents.”

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People use persuasive language to ________.

• teach someone how to do something

• convince someone to act or agree

• encourage someone who's feeling down

• paint a picture with words

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After reading a strong persuasive message, a person would most likely ________.

• learn how to do something

• feel happy

• agree with the message

• start to cry

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Which of the following would be the strongest argument to persuade you to buy a new video game:

• The video game is expensive.

• The video game is almost as fun as the ones you have.

• The video game has OK graphics.

• The video game won an award for Game of the Year.

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A salesperson uses persuasion to make you ________.

• buy a product

• do research

• learn how to do something

• feel happy

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The goal of an argument is to ________.

• entertain someone with a good story

• learn something

• get someone to see your point of view

• sound smart

Read the passage below. What is the child trying to do?

Hey mom, I really think we should make my bedtime half an hour later. Everyone in my class goes to sleep later than I do. I don't think I need as much sleep as I used to. Each night I lay awake for a long time before I go to sleep.

• give reasons to support his argument

• entertain his mother

• teach his mother how to do something

• get to sleep before his mother