Different Kinds of Appeals
Which rhetorical appeal uses facts, statistics, and logical reasons to support an argument?
Logos — Use this term exactly. Example explanation: Logos appeals to logic and reason using facts, statistics, and examples.
Which text structure lists events in the order they happened?
Chronological (or Sequence) — Events are told in time order.
What does the prefix "re-" usually mean? Give one example word.
"Re-" means again or back. Example: redo, replay, return.
What is it called when you give a nonliving thing human qualities (e.g., “The wind whispered”)?
Personification — giving human traits to nonhuman things
What is a central idea of a text? (One-sentence definition appropriate for 6th grade)
The central idea is the main point or most important message the author wants the reader to know about the topic.
Ethos — The speaker or writer shows credibility, experience, or trustworthiness to gain the audience's trust.
Which structure compares similarities and differences between two or more things?
Compare and contrast — The text organizes information by noting how things are alike and different.
The root "scrib/script" means what? Is it Greek or Latin? Give one example word that uses it.
"Scrib/script" means "write." It is Latin. Example: describe, manuscript, subscribe.
Identify the figurative device: “Her smile was a ray of sunshine.”
Metaphor — directly compares two things without using like or as.
Name two text features (like headings or bullet points) that help reveal the central idea of an informational text.
Headings, subheadings, topic sentences, captions, bold words, bullet points. (Any two.)
Which appeal aims to persuade by stirring the audience’s emotions? Give the common Greek/Latin name for this appeal.
Pathos — Appeals to emotions, feelings, and values to persuade an audience.
Name the text structure that explains a problem and then gives one or more solutions.
Problem and solution — The text presents a problem and then offers possible solutions.
Break the word “transportation” into prefix, root, and suffix and give the meaning of each part.
trans- (prefix) = across or through; port (root) = carry; -ation (suffix) = action or process. So "transportation" = the process of carrying across.
What is the difference between a simile and a metaphor? Give one example of each (short phrases).
Simile uses "like" or "as" for comparison (example: "as brave as a lion"). Metaphor compares directly without like/as (example: "He is a night owl").
If a paragraph lists reasons why school lunches should be healthier, what text structure is it using and what would the central idea likely be?
Structure: Listing of reasons (could be "cause/reasons" or "persuasive/list of reasons"). Central idea: School lunches should be healthier because they help students learn and stay healthy.
Identify the appeal used in this example: “You should recycle—scientists say it reduces pollution by 30%.” (Name the appeal and explain briefly why.)
Logos. Explanation: It uses a statistic (30%) and scientific authority to provide logical evidence for recycling.
Read this sentence: “Because the river flooded, many homes were damaged; as a result, the town formed a relief plan.” Which text structure does this show?
Cause and effect — The flooding (cause) led to damaged homes and the town’s relief plan (effects).
The Latin root “port” means “carry.” Create a new classroom-friendly sentence using a word with “port” and underline the root (e.g., The students returned the heavy backpack to the airport).
Example acceptable answer: “The movers carefully transported the books to the new classroom.” (transported — root port = carry). Accept similar sentences that use a "port" word and show root understanding.
Explain in one sentence how hyperbole is used for effect and give a classroom-appropriate example.
Hyperbole is an extreme exaggeration used to emphasize a feeling or idea. Example: "I have a million homework problems." Accept similar mild exaggerations.
Given a short passage (teacher reads): “After weeks of practice, the team won the championship. Their coach says practice and teamwork made them ready.” Ask: What is the central idea? Which details support it?
Central idea: Practice and teamwork helped the team win the championship. Supporting details: weeks of practice; coach's statement that practice and teamwork made them ready.
Describe a short example (one or two sentences) that uses all three appeals (ethos, pathos, logos).
Sample: “As a pediatrician with 12 years’ experience, I recommend vaccination (ethos). Think of the relief when your child stays healthy and can play with friends (pathos). Studies show vaccines reduce illness by over 90% (logos).” — Accept similar student examples that include credibility, emotion, and a fact or statistic.
Identify the best text structure for an article titled “How Smartphones Changed Teen Communication” and explain in one sentence why it fits.
Cause and effect or chronological could both work. Recommended: Cause and effect — The article would likely explain ways smartphones led to changes in communication (causes) and the resulting behaviors or outcomes (effects).
In the word “audible,” what is the root and is it Greek or Latin?
Root: aud- (Latin) meaning “hear
Read this line: “The classroom was a zoo.” Identify the figurative device, explain what two ideas are being compared, and state the likely central idea the author suggests about the classroom.
Device: Metaphor. Compares "classroom" to "zoo," suggesting it is noisy, chaotic, or full of activity. Central idea: The classroom is very noisy or chaotic.
Provide a short plan (3 steps) a student could use to find the central idea of a nonfiction article that uses cause/effect structure.
Step 1: Read the title and headings to see the topic and likely causes/effects. Step 2: Identify sentences that explain causes and the effects (look for signal words: because, as a result). Step 3: Summarize the main connection between cause(s) and effect(s) in one sentence as the central idea.