Figurative Language
STAAR Writing
STAAR Writing/Close Reading
Persuasive Appeals
Reading Support
100

Her black hair was liquid silk

What is a metaphor?

100

The big idea or main point of an essay. In persuasive writing, it shares the author's opinion on a given topic.

What is a thesis statement?

100

Usually in the introduction, this makes up the first sentence(s) of a written piece and helps catch the reader's attention. Can consist of dialogue, a thought-provoking question or quote, a startling fact, an anecdote, etc.

What is a lead or hook?

100

The three types of appeals one may use to try to persuade their audience.

What is ethos, pathos, and logos or ethical, emotional, and logical?

100

When we state that a character is going through a struggle involving man/nature/self/society, we are referring to this crucial part of a story.

What is the conflict?

200

The yellow flames danced among the logs.

What is personification?

200

An essay in which the author attempts to convince the audience to believe in his/her opinion.

What is a persuasive essay?

200

Although it is important to restate the thesis in this part of the essay, it is recommended that you reword/state it in a slightly different way.

What is the conclusion?

200
If the author states: "How would you like it if a group of teenage boys started whistling at and drooling over your mom/sister's body?" they are using this type of appeal.
What is pathos/emotional appeal?
200

When we talk about the lesson or big idea that is being expressed in a story, we are referring to its ______.

What is theme?

300

She came into the house like a whirl of sunshine.

What is simile?

300

The tires on the car were threadbare; ______________, she drove through the snow anyway.

Which transition can be used correctly to strengthen the sentence?

A.Consequently

B.Moreover

C.Nevertheless

D.Therefore

What is A.Nevertheless

300

7. Corman hit the garage door button. There was no response. This frustrated Corman, who hit the button several more times in a fit of rage. Still, there was no response. Kathy said, "Let me try, Corman." Kathy believed that Corman was a clumsy oaf and that he was hitting the button incorrectly. She tested her suspicions by hitting the button gently. The opener whirred and pulled up the garage door. Corman felt embarrassed. Kathy was happy that they would be able to leave the garage now.

What is the author's point of view?

What is third person omniscient point of view? The author reveals the internal thoughts and feelings of more than one person (Corman and Kathy).

300
If the author tries to justify their opinions by demonstrating that they are experienced in the topic or their information is coming from a professional source, they are attempting to persuade you using this type of appeal.
What is ethical/ethos?
300

A wonderful book that can and SHOULD be utilized for both the reading and writing part of the STAAR EOC exams.

What is a dictionary/thesaurus?

400
Gombei was certain that as the stars had guided sea men for years, this woman's eyes would guide him to happiness.
What is a simile?
400

Words or phrases that can be used to signal a shift to a new idea or part of your essay.

What is transitions

400

Gettysburg Address- President Lincoln

Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth, upon this continent, a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.
Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived, and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battlefield of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of it, as a final resting place for those who died here, that the nation might live.

In context of the speech, why does Lincoln begin with a reference to the nation's founding?

A. to honor the nation's founders

B. to condemn the South for seceding

C. to express doubt about preserving the nation

D. to emphasize the significance of the Civil War

What is D. to emphasize the significance of the Civil War

400
If a son tells his father, "Buying me a new car will save you several hours of week since you won't have to worry about driving me to school, practice, or my friends' houses." he is using this type of appeal.
What is logical appeal/logos?
400

When we read a text, the author's purpose may be to...(3 things)

What is to persuade, to inform, or to entertain?

500
When Jon's girlfriend broke up with him, he fell into a pit of despair.
What is a metaphor?
500

Choose the most effective thesis for a persuasive paper arguing to decrease the amount of time spent on standardized testing in schools.

A. Standardized tests are unfair and biased.

B. Our school will be a better place to learn if we stop standardized testing.

C. If students were tested less, they would be healthier, happier individuals.

D. Since so many students are stressed about tests, schools should reduce

standardized testing by 50%.

What is 

D. Since so many students are stressed about tests, schools should reduce standardized testing by 50%.

500

    Gettysburg Address by Abraham Lincoln
Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth, upon this continent, a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.
Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived, and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battlefield of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of it, as a final resting place for those who died here, that the nation might live.

Which of the following best describes the purpose of the speech?

A. to minimize the severity of the war

B. to applaud America's accomplishments

C. to express reverence for the lost soldiers

D. to argue for the reasons behind the war

What is C. to express reverence for the lost soldiers

500
When Karina was selling poinsettias, she used the following appeals: "You can buy it for your mom; I'm sure she would like some flowers...OR you could buy it for yourself and put it at your desk. Don't you think it would look nice as a Christmas decoration?" She was using a persuasive appeal known as...
What is emotional appeal/pathos?
500

The Chicago Cubs are a baseball team based in Chicago, Illinois. The team has a longer history than most other professional teams—including basketball, football, and hockey. What most sets them apart from other professional sports franchises, however, is that the Chicago Cubs have had the longest championship drought of any franchise in all professional sports. In fact, the last time the Chicago Cubs won a World Series was in 1908. They are often referred to as The Cubbies or as The Lovable Losers by their significant national fan following.

What is the purpose of the encyclopedia article above?

A. to persuade the reader that the Cubs are due for a championship

B. to entertain the reader with a story about a winless baseball team

C. to instruct the reader on how not to have a winless baseball season

D. to inform the reader about a historic, yet luckless, baseball team

What is D. to inform the reader about a historic, yet luckless, baseball team