Communication Arts 9

Communication Arts 9 October 16-17, 2012

Bellringer • Go to http://mrswatsonla9.weebly.com • Scroll down to today’s date. • Click on the pretest link • Take the pretest • WHEN IT SAYS COMPLETE SENTENCES THAT WHAT IT MEANS! • When finished you need to get out your SSR book and begin reading!!!

Mini Lesson • 1. What is the purpose of arguing in life? • 2. Why is it important to see the other person’s side of the argument? • 3. How are arguments on paper different than arguments in real-life?

Mini Lesson • 1. What is the purpose of arguing in life? To settle a dispute and to get your point across. • 2. Why is it important to see the other person’s side of the argument? To understand the other person’s position. • 3. How are arguments on paper different than arguments in real-life? Arguments on paper have no personal emotion, is fact-based only. Real life arguments don’t need to persuade someone to be on their side.

Mini Lesson-Notes • CORC • C - clear opinion statement (for or against) • O - organized information • R - relevant information • C - counter concerns and arguments • All of the CORC elements lead us to the proposed solution (what the author wants us to do-make a decision or take action.)

Clear Opinion Statements • What is a strong opinion statement? • Clearly states an opinion or position • It is debatable (if everyone agrees with you – you have no argument) • It is focused and concise (not too narrow and not too broad)

Organized and Relevant Information • Organized = Information needs to follow an understandable pattern • Introduction (includes opinion statement) • Information (evidence) • Counter-argument • Conclusion (includes proposed solution) • Relevant = The information presented supports the opinion statement

Counter-arguments • Definition – a counter-argument is an argument opposite of your opinion statement. It expresses the view of a person who disagrees with your position. • It allows you to address the opposition before they can object • It makes your argument stronger • It shows that you have considered both sides of the debate

CORC in Analyzing Persuasive Argument • When you ANALYZE a persuasive argument you look at the CORC elements a little differently. • Question the opinion statement. Is it clear, does it state an opinion, is it debatable, is it focused? • View information as evidence. Is it accurate? Is it adequate? Are we convinced? • Consider the counter-argument. Does it strengthen the opinion statement? Is it effective?

After Lunch 1. Complete pretest (10 points) 2. Complete notes • Go to mrswatsonla9.weebly.com • Find today’s date, down load PowerPoint • Finish filling in your worksheet. REMEMBER: IT needs to be word for word or you get a zero! (10 points) • 3. READ FOR SSR. If you are using your computer for anything I will take it. (5 points)

Strong Opinion Statements • Remember: A strong opinion statement is clear in meaning, states an opinion, is debatable and concise. • Is the following an example of a STRONG OPINION STATEMENT? Why or Why Not? • Pollution is bad for the environment.

Strong Opinion Statements • No! Because this statement • does not state an opinion • it is not debatable(pollution = bad) • it is way too broad (pollution is a problem but in “what way” to “what extent” is the argument)

Clear Opinion Statements • Sample Prompt: Convince your reader whether or not school uniforms should be mandatory in public schools. • Possible Opinion Statements • It is outrageous for students to be forced to wear school uniforms. TOO BROAD • Students who are forced to wear school uniforms have their creativity stifled. TOO NARROW • When kids grow up, they will have bad memories of school. OFF TOPIC • School uniforms should not be mandatory in public schools because it would stifle students’ creativity, take away students’ rights, and cause students to lose interest in school. STRONG

Clear Opinion Statements • Sample Prompt: Explain why a healthy diet is important. • Possible Opinion Statements • A healthy diet is important. TOO BROAD • People should include eight servings of fruits and vegetables in their diet everyday. TOO NARROW • Bananas are one of the most nutritious foods on earth. OFF TOPIC • A healthy diet is important because it increases energy, prevents illness and promotes well being in all people. STRONG

Accuracy and Adequacy of Evidence • Accuracy = Is the information CORRECT? • Adequacy = Is there ENOUGH to convince me?

Accuracy and Adequacy of Evidence • Questions to Consider • How do you determine if something you read or hear is accurate? How do you know its true? • What can we do to determine accuracy? • How much information is necessary to give credibility to a story? What is adequate? What is enough? • What does it take to make you believe something?

Example Text for Accuracy of Evidence • Scenario 1 • Your best friend calls you on Sunday night and tells you that on Friday it was announced that Monday is “Wear Your Pajamas to School” day. He explains that it is a food drive for the local community food pantry and all you have to do is bring two cans of food to school in order to wear your pj’s. You do not recall hearing about it last week but you were gone on Thursday and Friday and have been out of town all weekend. He is your best friend but also a practical jokester. Do you believe him and wear your Superman footie jammies to school on Monday? Why or why not? If you are suspicious what can you do to verify the information he has given you is accurate?

Example Text for Adequacy of Evidence • Scenario 2 • You just turned sweet sixteen and are ready to get behind the wheel. You worked like crazy last summer and saved up seven thousand dollars to buy a car. While shopping around at Lucky Lou’s car lot you spot a bubble gum pink Ford Mustang and fall in love. Knowing you have to have it, you ask Lucky Lou if it has had more than one owner - to which he responds – “I don’t think so.” You then ask if it has been in a wreck or has ever received any type of damage – to which he responds – “Not to my knowledge.” You then ask how much it is – to which he says – “I don’t know, I haven’t decided what I want to ask for it.” By now, you are very frustrated but you just cannot take your eyes off that Ford Mustang – you would look soooo good in it. Seven thousand dollars is a lot of money and you do not want to make a bad decision. Do you make an offer on the car? Why or why not? Has Lucky Lou given you an adequate amount of information to make a good decision?

Analyzing Counter-arguments • Remember: a counter-argument is an argument opposite of your opinion statement. It expresses the view of a person who disagrees with your position. • It allows you to address the opposition before they can object • It makes your argument stronger • It shows that you have considered both sides of the debate

Proposed Solution • A Proposed Solution= the author’s suggested solution to his opinion statement. It challenges the reader to make a decision or take action.

Writing Workshop • Scenario 1 • A student must walk to school on a winter day when two inches of snow cover the ground and the expected high temperature for the day is 30 degrees Fahrenheit. The student heads out the door for his six-block walk wearing a t-shirt, jeans and tennis shoes. Is this clothing adequate for the situation? Why or why not? • Scenario 2 • A child wakes at midnight with a headache and a parent gives him a pain reliever. The pain subsides, and an hour later the child is back asleep. The next morning, though, the child is tired and doesn’t want to go to school. He complains to his parents that he ought to be able to stay home since he was up all night sick. Is this an accurate account of the situation? Why or why not?

Reading Workshop • 20-25 minutes • Remember you must be present and reading during Reading Workshop in order to receive the daily class points. That means no talking, goofing off, doing homework, sleeping, etc.

Reading Blog • sjsdblogs.com • Title = Book title, pages read, book Lexile • Body = Which characters from your book are the most believable? What qualities about that character make them seem realistic? Use specific details from the text and remember to always discuss any schema connections you’ve made.

Communication Arts 9