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That’s debatable: Persuasive writing in the workshop model
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Transcript of That’s debatable: Persuasive writing in the workshop model
That’s debatable: Persuasive writing in the workshop model
English SOL InstituteSecondary
Persuasive Writing Workshop
Carrie Honaker & Amanda Biviano
Blue Ridge Writing Project Teacher
Consultants
Persuasive Writing Move students away from 5
paragraph, formulaic writing Conferencing, guided writing,
revising, sharing, and using mentor texts builds skills
Writing portfolios support student growth
K-12 English SOL InstituteOctober 2013
Persuasive Writing Teach writing; don’t merely assign it Teach peer revision/editing; putting
students in groups is NOT teaching peer editing
Focus on purpose and audience Provide opportunities for students to
change voice and audience
K-12 English SOL InstituteOctober 2013
K-12 English SOL InstituteOctober 2013
Persuasive Writing Every piece of writing does not have
to be graded! Do incorporate writing into every
lesson Don’t correct every error in student
papers Use VDOE Resources including
anchor sets and writing checklists
Instruction Anchor Sets
K-12 English SOL InstituteOctober 2013
Persuasive Writing Checklist
Add screenshot
K-12 English SOL InstituteOctober 2013
Time to Write!!Spend a few minutes writing about what you consider the most effective persuasive moment from the debate clip.
SOL EOC Writing Prompt
Technology allows people to complete many tasks without having contact with others. People can check out books, shop, and play games without speaking to another person. Has the limitation of human contact due to the use of technology had positive or negative effects on people’s lives?Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples.
Time to build our arguments!!!
Thesis Statements A strong Thesis Statement in the opening
paragraph indicates a narrow topic Concise, one- or two-sentence statement
telling reader the topic, writer’s position towards the topic, and the specific supporting points of paper
A good thesis is an idea that could be easily disagreed with (not: the sky is blue, we need to help the poor…)
A good thesis takes a stand. The Argument Outline handout can help students plan a solid argument before writing.
Helping Students Make Convincing Arguments
Acknowledge and treat opposing viewpoints fairly
Ask students to maintain an objective and professional or scientific stance towards their position and the evidence which supports it
Use mentor texts such as those found on Intelligence Squared: http://intelligencesquaredus.org/ and the Department of Education Anchor Sets
Avoid common Logical Fallacies
Logical Fallacies Flaws in the logical structure of an
argument TED-Ed Logical Fallacies http://
ed.ted.com/on/tBmicW2I Can be shown dissonant or
contradictory in logical or symbolic terms (2+2=5).
Common Logical Fallacies
Strawman Appeal to authority Ad Hominem False Dichotomies/Black and White
Dichotomies Appeals to tradition Rhetorical Questions Hasty/Broad Generalizations Post Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc (after this,
therefore because of this)
Strawman Ignoring a sound opposing position—or—setting up,
substituting, distorting, or exaggerating it with a weaker one.
Basically, broad generalizations which you can easily defeat with your own position.
“Free marketeers don’t believe in rules or laws of any kind.”
“Skeptics of global warming and other alleged environmental terrors care nothing about future generations and might also be in the pay of Big Oil.”
Appeal to Authority
Someone without expertise in the subject argued is used as an authority on the subject.
Ad Hominem
abagond.wordpress.com
False Dichotomy Also “Black and White Fallacy,”
“False Dilemma” Presenting a limited set of
alternatives (usually two) and then arguing as if there are only these two.
“If you don’t like the current policies, leave the country.”
"It’s owls versus jobs: the environment or the economy."
“If you’re not for the war, you’re unpatriotic.”
Appeals to Tradition Premise is held true because
it has a tradition of being thought to be true.
“This mode of government has lasted over 200 years without any change. It must be right.”
“What opponents of strip mining in West Virginia fail to realize is that mining is one of civilization’s oldest industries.”
Rhetorical Question Asking question for the “effect” rather than
for the actual information (soap box). It doesn’t expect a reply “When are we going to give this country’s old
folks the health care they deserve?”
"With all the violence on TV today, is it any wonder kids bring guns to school?“
"Marriage is a wonderful institution, but who wants to live in an institution?“
Hasty & Broad Generalizations
Drawing a conclusion based on a small sample size, rather than looking at statistics that are much more in line with the typical or average situation.
“My father smoked four packs of cigarettes a day since age fourteen, and lived until age sixty-nine. Therefore, smoking really can’t be that bad for you.”
“Teenagers today are increasingly online playing video games; as a result most teenagers lack in social and critical thinking skills.”
Post Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc(after this, therefore because of this)
Also “the false cause” or “correlation not causation” Since event B followed event A, then B must have
been caused by A The rooster crows just before dawn; therefore, the
crowing causes the sun to rise.
“More and more young people are attending high schools and colleges today than ever before. Yet there is more juvenile delinquency and more alienation among the young. This makes it clear that these young people are being corrupted by their education.”
Can You Name the Fallacy?Ask students to find fallacies in movies, advertisements, or commercials, as well as
from experts in the field. For example)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yp_l5ntikaU
http://intelligencesquaredus.org/press/item/619-should-college-football-be-banned?
Check your answers Monty Python Clip—Too numerous to
name!! Football Should Be Banned—Strawman—opponents argue for “hitting self over the head” Colleges are not educating, they’re harming students.
Football Should Not Be Banned Wins!!
Defeats the Strawman—Colleges are educating students that play football
Refutes the facts presented—teams are no longer as risky with players
Adds emotional appeal—football helps others play sports and brings in money
Time to revisit our arguments to check for a strong thesis and possible fallacies!
Let’s see who built the strongest case…
Reflection WritingPlease write about the process you went through today and how any part of this presentation could be used in your own classroom.
Carrie HonakerRoanoke County Public [email protected]
Amanda BivianoMontgomery County Public [email protected]
Contact InformationBlue Ridge Writing Project
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Reference within this presentation to any specific commercial or non-commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer or otherwise does not constitute or imply an endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the Virginia Department of Education.
Disclaimer