Argument Writing
What is a claim?
Answer:
Its the main point or what the writer believes.
What is the job of informational writing?
Answer:
To teach or explain something.
What does it mean to annotate a text?
Answer:
To mark the text with notes, symbols, or highlights to help understand it better.
What is figurative language, and name two types with examples.
Answer:
Figurative language is when authors use creative expressions or comparisons to make writing more interesting or vivid. It is not meant to be taken literally.
Simile – compares two things using like or as
Example: “Her voice was like music to his ears.”
Metaphor – compares two things without using like or as
Example: “The classroom was a zoo.”
Personification – gives human qualities to objects or ideas
Example: “The wind whispered through the trees.”
Hyperbole – an extreme exaggeration for emphasis
Example: “I’ve told you a million times!”
What part of speech is sprinted in this sentence:
“The athlete sprinted across the finish line and celebrated her victory.”
(Verb)
What is a counterclaim, and how does it strengthen an argumentative essay?
Answer:
A counterclaim is the opposing viewpoint or argument that disagrees with the writer’s position. It strengthens an argumentative essay by showing that the writer has considered other perspectives and can refute them with reasoning and evidence.
Read the paragraph and identify the topic sentence:
“Many animals have developed unique ways to protect themselves. Some animals use camouflage to blend into their surroundings, while others release strong smells or toxins. These adaptations help them survive in the wild.”
Answer:
“Many animals have developed unique ways to protect themselves.”
(This introduces the main idea and is supported by the rest of the paragraph.)
What should you highlight or underline when annotating?
Answer:
Important ideas, repeated words, or evidence that supports the main point.
What is the difference between theme and main idea?
(Theme is the message or lesson; main idea is what the text is mostly about.)
Read the sentence and identify the part of speech of the bolded word:
“The exhausted students finally finished the lengthy assignment.”
What part of speech is exhausted in this sentence, and how do you know?
Answer:
Exhausted is an adjective because it describes the noun students by telling us how they felt.
What is a reason in writing?
Answer:
It tells why the writer thinks the claim is true.
What is a conclusion?
Answer:
The end that wraps everything up.
Which symbol would you use to show a surprising idea in a text? A) ? B) ! C) & D)$
Answer:
B ! exclamation mark for surprise
Identify the point of view in this sentence:
I couldn‘t believe my luck when I found the key.
(First-person point of view)
Read the sentence below. Identify all the nouns, and explain the difference between a common noun and a proper noun in your answer:
“Maria packed her laptop and charger before leaving for school.”
Answer:
Nouns: Maria, laptop, charger, school
• Maria is a proper noun (a specific person’s name)
• Laptop, charger, and school are common nouns (general names of things or places)
What does evidence mean?
Answer:
Proof or facts that support the reason.
Read the paragraph below. Which sentence is a fact that supports the topic?
“Volcanoes are powerful natural disasters that can affect people’s lives. They are scary to watch, especially when lava flows down the sides. In 1980, Mount St. Helens erupted and caused over $1 billion in damage.”
Answer:
“In 1980, Mount St. Helens erupted and caused over $1 billion in damage.”
(This is a verifiable fact that supports the main idea.)
You read a paragraph with facts and opinions. What annotation should you make?
Answer:
Circle or label facts and underline opinions.
What type of conflict is this: A student struggles to stand up for what is right?
(Character vs. Society)
Read the sentence:
“He quickly left the room.”
What is the adverb in this sentence, and how does it change or affect the meaning of the sentence?
Answer:
The adverb is “quickly.”
It tells how he left the room, describing the manner of the action. Adverbs often describe how, when, where, or to what extent a verb happens.
Read this paragraph and identify the rebuttal:
Some people say school should start later to help students sleep more. However, starting school later may make after-school jobs and sports harder to manage.
What is the rebuttal?
Answe:
However, starting school later may make after-school jobs and sports harder to manage.
Read the introduction below. Which sentence is the thesis statement, and explain why:
“Social media has become a major part of teenagers’ lives. Many teens use it daily to connect with friends and stay informed. However, social media can also affect their mental health in negative ways.”
Answer:
“However, social media can also affect their mental health in negative ways.”
This is the thesis statement because it presents the central idea that the rest of the essay will explain or prove. It sets the purpose for the writing and hints at what will be discussed in the body paragraphs.
Read this sentence and write an annotation:
Although most people fear failure, it often teaches the greatest lessons.
What is one smart annotation?
Answer:
Underline: People fear failure, it often teaches the greatest lessons
Main idea: failure can help us learn.or Theme: “Life Lesson”
Read the short passage and identify the tone of the author:
Even though the streets were empty, her heart raced with fear as she moved quickly past the dark alley.
What is the tone?
(Nervous, tense, suspenseful)
Read the sentence:
“The small cat quietly sat under the old wooden chair.”
Identify the part of speech for each word, and explain the function of at least two adjectives in the sentence.
Answer:
The = Article
Small = Adjective
Cat = Noun
Quietly = Adverb
Sat = Verb
Under = Preposition
The = Article
Old = Adjective
Wooden = Adjective
Chair = Noun
Bonus Explanation (optional):
• “Small” describes cat → size
• “Old” and “wooden” describe chair → age + material