Developing ideas
What is the main purpose of an author's argument in a text?
To persuade the reader of a particular viewpoint or claim.
What is the significance of the author's choice of words in a persuasive piece?
Word choice can convey emotion, bias, and influence the reader's response.
What is the importance of integrating multiple sources in research?
It provides a broader perspective and strengthens the credibility of the conclusions drawn.
A group of teenagers vandalized the park downtown. Teenagers are irresponsible and destructive.
Hasty Generalization
Identify the three types of rhetorical appeals.
Ethos, logos, and pathos.
How can you identify an author's claim in an article?
Look for clear statements of opinion supported by evidence.
Evaluate how different types of evidence (expert opinions vs. personal experiences) influence an argument.
Expert opinions lend credibility, while personal experiences can create emotional appeals with readers.
Describe how to evaluate the credibility of a source.
Check the author's qualifications, the publications reputation, and the evidence presented.
If you don’t stop smoking cigarettes, then you are going to start shooting heroin.
Slippery Slope
What is the central idea?
In the digital age, knowledge is everywhere—floating, untethered, infinitely accessible. But accessibility doesn’t equal understanding. A student may scroll through ten articles and still misunderstand the core of a historical event. Why? Because critical thinking, not just information, is what transforms data into insight. And that skill doesn’t come from Google; it comes from practice, patience, and questioning what we think we already know.
Having access to information is not enough. To have true understanding requires critical thinking and deeper engagement.
Describe how an author might support their argument through specific details.
Author's use facts, statistics, examples, and expert opinions to support their claims.
A vampire, a ghost, and a bored teenager walk into a convenience store at 2 a.m.—no, this isn’t a joke, it’s Thursday night in Briar Hollow. As usual, the fridge door won’t close properly, the slushie machine’s haunted (again), and Jesse's trying to figure out if he’s cursed or just really unlucky. There’s a storm brewing, and it’s not just the weather—something ancient is waking up under the gas station. And Jesse? He’s stuck on register duty.
The purpose of the text is to entertain by using suspense, horror, and supernatural narrative elements.
Is this argument strong or weak and why?
Reading books is better than watching movies. Books are better because they have pages and words, and lots of people like them. My cousin reads a lot and says it's good for the brain. Also, movies are usually loud and have too much action. Therefore, reading is clearly the superior option.
This argument is weak because the evidence is vague, anecdotal, and not clearly connected to the argument’s core claim.
The school is in bad shape. Either we tear it down and put up a new building, or we continue to risk students’ safety. Obviously, we shouldn’t risk anyone’s safety, so we must tear the building down.
Either/Or
What is the rhetorical appeal?
As a pediatrician with over 20 years of experience working in public schools, I’ve witnessed firsthand how early start times impact students’ health. Sleep-deprived teens struggle to focus, retain information, and regulate emotions. Based on both medical research and my professional observation, I strongly support pushing high school start times to at least 8:30 AM.
Ethos - The speaker establishes credibility through professional experience as a pediatrician, which builds trust with the audience.
What role do counterarguments play in persuasive texts?
They address opposing viewpoints, strengthening the author's position by refuting them.
Contrary to the myth that the moon’s surface is dry and lifeless, recent findings from NASA’s SOFIA observatory have confirmed the presence of molecular water even in sunlit regions. This breakthrough not only redefines our understanding of the lunar environment but also opens the door to future missions utilizing on-site resources. Water on the moon could be used for drinking, breathable oxygen, or even rocket fuel—transforming lunar exploration from fantasy to feasibility.
The purpose is to inform with the intention of emphasizing future scientific potential.
Is this argument strong or weak and why?
Schools should start later in the morning to improve student performance. Research from the American Academy of Pediatrics shows that teenagers require 8–10 hours of sleep per night, but early school start times often prevent this. A 2022 study in Sleep Health found that students at schools with start times after 8:30 AM reported better academic performance, higher attendance rates, and improved mental health. These findings suggest that shifting school schedules can significantly benefit students' overall well-being and academic success.
This argument is strong because it uses relevant evidence from multiple sources.
A: “Let’s go to the movies tonight”
B: “No, thank you, I’d rather not today”
A: “You never want to have fun!”
Straw Man
What is the central idea?
The bees didn’t vanish overnight. First, their buzzing became less frequent near the hedgerows. Then the wildflowers stopped blooming with the same reckless color they once had. By the time the farmer noticed the apples growing misshapen and sparse, the damage was already done. He blamed the weather, then the soil, never once suspecting the quiet absence of wings might be the loudest warning.
Human failure to notice or address environmental changes—like declining bee population—can lead to significant consequences.
Analyze how the tone of a text influences the reader's perception of the argument.
The tone can evoke emotions and shape how the audience responds to the argument.
Imagine a classroom where creativity isn’t sidelined for test prep, where students solve real-world problems instead of bubbling in scantrons. Project-based learning isn’t a trend—it’s a proven method that boosts engagement, retention, and critical thinking. Schools that have adopted it show higher graduation rates and improved student morale. So why do we continue to rely on outdated models that stifle innovation? It's time for education to evolve with its learners.
The purpose is to persuade the audience that modern education should shift toward project-based learning.
Is this argument strong or weak and why?
We shouldn't worry about climate change because environmentalists just want everyone to stop using electricity. Environmentalists argue that climate change is a serious threat, but they really just want us to stop using electricity and live in caves. That’s completely unreasonable, so we shouldn’t take their warnings seriously. Besides, the weather changes all the time—there's nothing we can do about it.
This argument is weak because it uses the Strawman logical fallacy which misrepresents the opposing argument to make it easier to attack.
Candidate A will not maintain his electoral promises: he cheated on his wife!
Ad Hominem
What is the rhetorical appeal?
According to a 2023 report by the National Institute of Health, students who eat breakfast perform 17% better on standardized tests compared to those who skip it. Schools that implemented free breakfast programs saw increased attendance and fewer behavioral referrals. The data is clear—when students are fed, they succeed.
Logos - This argument uses statistics and measurable outcomes like the report from the National Institute of Health to appeal to logic and reason.