STAAR-Light * STAAR WRITE

Kaye Price-HawkinsPriceless Literacy

www.pricelessliteracy.homestead.comkayepricehawkins@aol.com

Persuasive Text

http://dese.mo.gov/divimprove/sia/msip/DOK_Chart.pdf

Instructional Focus

PERSUASIVE WRITING: Persuasive texts include:

– A position on a narrow topic– An exploration of both sides of the

issue– Strong evidence for the side you

choose Facts and relevant examples Logical reasoning Testimonials from believable experts

– Convincing language

Out of this World Plan-It Pack-It for Persuasive

INTRODUCTION “HOOK” your

reader: Interesting

statement/fact

Grab reader’s attention

THESIS (controlling idea):

Includes focus of the “Write about” prompt and what you intend to prove.

B O D YSUPPORT YOUR THESIS BY:• Well-developed ideas – connected with

appropriate transitions• Specific, strong relevant examples

or anecdotes• Your point of view contrasted with

the opposition and stated reasons why your POV is the better choice.

• Topic-specific evidence (proof): • Ethos—credibility of the writer or

the sources (writer)• Pathos—emotion, sympathy, beliefs

and values (audience)• Logos—reasonable statement and

presentation of the argument (text)

CONCLUSION End the paper with

something for the reader to think about.

Restate your position and why that is THE way to think on this topic.

Avoid repeating it word for word.

Inside the sentence strip:

Outside flaps of the sentence strip:

Inside Center: Important information

about persuasive writing for the STAAR.

Possibilities for how a writer might organize and support persuasive writing.

Inside right flap—topSTAAR Rubric Jury’s Verdict:

The Sentencing!

Each grade level tested will have an appropriate rubric which you may want to “reword” with your students so that the rubric reflects what the STAAR is saying but morphed into kid-friendly language.

Organization/Progression Development of Ideas Use of Language/Conventions

Inside—right flap:

BOTTOM (pocket with card): – Revising questions on one side– Editing questions on the other side

● Questions to check your own paper or to ask about a peer’s paper. Model first with the large group.

● May be used in small groups or individually

Glue the Envelope onto the back of the folder..

Now, glue the reading questions on the left, leaving room on the right for academic language graffiti.

Envelope is for persuasive mentor texts and assignments.

Reading Questions Types of questions

– Inference– Text specific (features, purpose)– Evidence based– Author’s craft (word choice,

literary devices, vocabulary)– Summary

Mentor Text for Discovery Read a piece of persuasive text with the

students. Examine the text by looking at the

author’s craft, development and support– Convincing language (argument/transitions)– Facts and relevant examples– Quotations/believable experts– Logical reasoning

ProblemAnd

Solution

Foldable for Analysis of Support in a Persuasive Essay

Facts/relevant examples

Quotations/Believable experts

Logical reasoning Argument/convincing

language

HEADING FOR THE PAPERFacts/Relevant

Quotations/Believable examples (ethos) experts

(ethos)

QuestionLogical Position

Argument/Reasoning (logos) Convincing

language

(pathos)

On the Back: Top: Introduction/Conclusion. Other support and questions may be placed in the boxes on the back as well as meaningful

transitional words/phrases. Diamond: positive/negative words.

STAAR 2011 Sample Prompt for Persuasive

Read the information in the box below.

Some argue that our so-called information age is really an “interruption age.” With smart phones in hand, we spend much of the day texting, tweeting, and surfing the Web. Rather than concentrating on big issues, we fill our heads with the trivia and gossip that interrupts our attention. So much information passes our way that we have trouble remembering any of it.

Do you believe that instant communication is helping or hurting us? Think carefully about this question.

Persuasive sample, continued

Write an essay stating your position on whether you believe that we live in an information age or an interruption age.

Be sure to—state your position clearlyuse appropriate organizationprovide specific support for your argumentchoose your words carefullyedit your writing for grammar, mechanics, and spelling

What do you notice about the prompt wording? Write an essay stating your

position on whether you believe that we live in an information age or an interruption age.

Persuasive? Yes… Why? Key word? Write an essay explaining whether

people should be more concerned about others than about themselves.

Expository? Yes…Why? Key word?

Your Turn… Look at the pages of suggestions

for persuasive and choose one.– You might consider a topic that

would connect to the mentor text.– Find a quote in the mentor text that

would serve as your boxed information.

Use the example in your packet and compose a STAAR prompt model.

Test-taking Strategies Circle the “write” statement and underline

important key words. Use space for planning the essay

– Graphic organizer that works– Decide on direction and focus of the paper

Rough Draft...– Introduction (one to three sentences)– Main focus (with details—well-developed

section of the paper—may be one or two paragraphs)

– Conclusion (one to three sentences)

IF YOU ARE OVER 26 LINES, Read to decide what might not be the best information to include.

REVISE………

IF YOU ARE UNDER 26 LINES, Read carefully to see if you need to add information or change the wording

• transitional statements• specific details

COUNT LINES ON YOUR ROUGH DRAFT