Author's Purpose
What is the author's purpose in "Down Down a Journey?"
To inform the reader about the types of creatures in the sea and their various environments.
What is the argument in "Sharks?"
Sharks are misunderstood, portrayed as monsters, and are vulnerable to the effects of humans.
How do the text features in “Sharks: Monsters or Misunderstood” relate to the meaning of the passage?
Headings provide an introduction to the section and organize the text by the claims the author is making.
Pictures provide a visual for what the section is describing.
True or False: Both texts use inductive reasoning.
False: "Sharks: Monsters or Misunderstood" uses deductive reasoning to conclude that sharks are misunderstood.
Read the final line below.
“Despite their scary reputation, they are more vulnerable than they appear and they need our continued protection.” (Paragraph 5)
Which is the best statement about the type of reasoning the author uses to come to the conclusion that sharks “are more vulnerable than they appear and they need our continued protection”? (R.2.4)
The author observes specific instances of the weakness of sharks.
The author uses several logical fallacies to strengthen her argument.
The author generalizes that other marine life is at risk, therefore sharks must be at risk.
The author provides a variety of facts to deduce the idea that sharks are misunderstood and vulnerable.
What is the author's purpose in "Sharks: Monsters or Misunderstood?"
To persuade the reader that sharks are misunderstood, vulnerable creatures and wrongly portrayed in popular culture.
What is one claim in "Sharks?"
Sharks are portrayed as vicious monsters but there are sharks without teeth who filter feed.
1. Which text feature would be most helpful in understanding the number of shark attacks on humans? (R.2.1)
A timeline of shark attacks through the years
A graph showing the number of shark attacks from 2000 to 2025
A list of the names of people who were attacked by sharks this year
A map illustrating the locations where shark attacks have occurred
How does "Sharks: Monsters or Misunderstood" use text features similarly to "Down Down a Journey?"
Both use images to provide visuals of what a section is discussing for further clarity.
Both use headings to organize the text and introduce the reader to the topics of a section.
“The sharp dorsal fin. The rows upon rows of razor sharp teeth. The large pitch-black eyes. The sharks you see on television in Jaws or Discovery’s “Shark Week” are not the friendliest looking creatures. They aren’t exactly an animal you want to find near you while swimming in the ocean. Despite their portrayals in movies and popular culture, sharks are complicated, misunderstood creatures that are more vulnerable than they appear.”
According to the morphology, which word in Paragraph 1 comes from a Latin root meaning “to draw forth” or “depict”? (V.1.2)
Appear
Portrayal
Misunderstood
Vulnerable
How does the author develop their purpose for writing the article "Down Down a Journey?"
They provide information about creatures in different depths of the ocean and how they survive at various depths.
“One practice in particular, called shark finning, is especially cruel, as the fishers will just cut off the fin and throw the rest of the shark back into the ocean.” (Paragraph 5)
How does the author develop the argument in this section of the text? (Facts, Examples, Evidence Fallacies, Logical Reasoning)
Why does the author include headings in "Down Down a Journey?"
To help organize the sections by depth and to introduce what the central idea of the section is.
What is the difference between the author's purpose of "Down Down a Journey" and "Sharks: Monsters or misunderstood?"
"Down Down" informs the reader about sea creatures and their environments.
"Sharks" persuades the reader that sharks are misunderstood and portrayed incorrectly in popular culture.
“Both of these ideas are putting a strain on the number of sharks in the ocean. One practice in particular, called shark finning, is especially cruel, as the fishers will just cut off the fin and throw the rest of the shark back into the ocean.” (Paragraph 5)
What does the word strain mean as it is used in the paragraph? (V.1.3)
Exert great effort
To filter or separate
To put a great deal of pressure on
A sudden or violent physical or mental exertion
How does the author develop their purpose for writing the article "Sharks: Monsters or Misunderstood?"
By giving us background information, clarifying the many misrepresentations in popular culture, and giving facts about the vulnerable nature of sharks from overfishing.
“Despite what you might see in movies or on television, the truth about shark attacks is that they are very unlikely to happen to you. They are so rare, that statistically you are more likely to be struck by lightning than be bitten by a shark.” (Paragraph 4)
Explain the type of reasoning used in the section. (Evidence, Logical Reasoning, Fallacies in Reasoning, or Rhetorical Appeals & Devices)
How does Paragraph 3 in "Sharks: Monsters or Misunderstood" add to the development of the central idea of the passage? (R.2.2)
By highlighting examples of how sharks are depicted in popular culture
By providing scientific evidence to support the claim that sharks are completely harmless creatures that pose no threat at all.
By emphasizing the diversity of sharks, highlighting that not all sharks are large, predatory creatures, thus challenging the stereotypical image of sharks.
By carefully examining and debunking the common myths that have contributed to the public's fear and misunderstanding of sharks, thus correcting the stereotypical image of sharks.
Select two details that show how both authors influence the reader’s opinion about Sharks. (R.2.3)
“The Great White Shark is the largest predatory fish in the sea.” (Down Down Down, Page 33)
“Shark Fin is considered a delicacy in many East Asian countries.” (“Sharks: Monsters or Misunderstood?”, Paragraph 5)
“They are so rare, that statistically you are more likely to be struck by lightning than be bitten by a shark.”(“Sharks: Monsters or Misunderstood?”, Paragraph 4)
In popular culture and television, the only sharks that get a lot of attention are great white sharks and their rows and rows of sharp teeth. (“Sharks: Monsters or Misunderstood?”, Paragraph 3)
5. “The Great White Shark can be dangerous to humans-there are a few fatal attacks on swimmers or surfers every year-but its reputation as a vicious man-eater is exaggerated.” (Down Down Down Page 33)
Explain the type of reasoning used in the section “Turn Up the Heat.” (R.2.4)
abductive- pattern of plants using sunlight and animals eating plants
fallacy- using errors in reasoning to further the readers' belief in nonsense
inductive- starting with one specific observation and applying to a broad conclusion that life “began” this way
deductive- begins with a set of facts and states if these creatures create dark plumes, they must be “volcanic”
What claim does the author make first in "Sharks: Monsters or Misunderstood?" (R.2.4)
Humans often misinterpret the actions of sharks.
Sharks are vulnerable and in need of our protection.
Sharks are apex predators that human should fear.
Though accurately portrayed in the media, little is actually known about sharks.
“Another common misconception is that sharks can smell a single drop of blood a mile away. While sharks do have strong senses of smell, their sense of smell is actually similar to that of other fishes. They notice smells between one part per 25 million or one part per 10 billion according to BBC’s Science Focus. This means for one drop of blood, there are 25 million drops of water around it to dilute it. This is equal to one drop of blood in a small swimming pool, not the entire ocean”. (Paragraph 4)
How does this excerpt support the idea that sharks are misunderstood?
How likely is someone to be attacked by a shark?
You are more likely to be struck by lightning than to be bitten by a shark.
Read the excerpt from Down Down Down.
“They may be pursuing prey, escaping danger, or sending a message to others of their kind. Whatever the reason, sea creatures sometimes leap from the water into the air. A huge shark, surging upward to grab its prey, lands with a splash that could empty a swimming pool.” (Page 3)
Read the excerpt from Sharks: Monsters or Misunderstood?”
“The sharp dorsal fin. The rows upon rows of razor sharp teeth. The large pitch-black eyes. The sharks you see on television in Jaws or Discovery’s “Shark Week” are not the friendliest looking creatures.” (Paragraph 1)
Identify one way in which the two authors approach the topics of sharks similarly.
What is the context clue for the word mammal, as it is used in the text "Down Down a Journey? (V.1.3)
giant squid fights back
must come to the surface to breath
deeply scarred with squid sucker marks
sperm whale is the largest predator on the planet