Understanding Persuasive Text (Reading & Argumentative Writing)

GUNDERSTANDINGPERSUASIVEPERSUASIVETEXTTEXT

Reading andArgumentative Writing

Applying the TEKS for the STAAR

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UNDERSTANDINGPERSUASIVEPERSUASIVETEXTTEXT

Reading andArgumentative Writing

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ContentsIntroduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Understanding Persuasive Reading and Writing . . . . . . . . . . .6

An Introduction to the Key Features of Persuasive Writing andthe Structure of Persuasive Essays

Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Definitions of the Key Terms Needed to Analyze PersuasiveWriting

Instruction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Five Persuasive Texts with Background Information and Instruction

Independent Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33

Five Independent Practice Persuasive Texts and Four PersuasiveWriting Prompts

Part 1: Reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34

Part 2: Writing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56

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IntroductionUnderstanding Persuasive Text: Reading and Argumentative Writing teaches studentshow to understand and analyze persuasive texts and how to write persuasiveessays. Students will understand and analyze a range of persuasive texts, includingeditorials, letters, speeches, essays, historical texts, scientific texts, and responses to literature. Students will learn about the purpose and structure of persuasive textsand will understand the techniques used to persuade readers.

Understanding Persuasive Text also includes writing prompts that will give studentsthe opportunity to create persuasive writing. Students will make claims andproduce well-supported arguments for those claims.

Understanding Persuasive Reading and WritingThis section of the book gives background information on persuasive writing. It introduces and describes the key features of persuasive writing. The generalstructure of a persuasive essay is also described. Students can refer to the structurewhen analyzing persuasive writing and when creating persuasive writing.

GlossaryThe glossary gives definitions of the terms that students will need to understand to analyze persuasive writing. Students can refer to the glossary as they learn toanalyze persuasive writing.

InstructionThis section contains five persuasive texts. Each persuasive text is introduced withkey information that will help students understand the purpose of the text and the structure of the text. Key information is also given on the claims made, thearguments presented, and the evidence included. After reading each persuasivetext, the student then answers questions about it. This section of the bookcontains multiple-choice and open-ended questions.

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Independent PracticePart 1 of this section contains five persuasive texts. Each persuasive text is followedby several questions that students will answer on their own. This section of thebook contains multiple-choice and open-ended questions.

Part 2 of this section contains four persuasive writing prompts. Students will applytheir understanding of persuasive writing to create four essays.

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UnderstandingPersuasive Reading and Writing

Persuasive writing can have many different purposes. It can be written to persuadesomeone to do something. It can be written to convince readers to believesomething. It can be written to persuade readers to accept the writer’s opinions,ideas, or judgments. The different types of persuasive writing often have differentforms. An editorial might focus on giving a personal opinion. A letter might focuson encouraging someone to do something. A science article might draw aconclusion about the topic, and then give details to support the opinion. Onething that is common to all persuasive writing is that a claim is made or a positionis taken and then supported.

The Structure of the Persuasive EssayThe chart on the next page shows a general structure for a persuasive essay. Theessay starts with an introduction. The introduction usually introduces the topic. It may provide background information as well. The most important part of theintroduction is that the claim is stated.

The next part of the essay is the body. In the body, information is given to supportthe claim. The information is sorted into several main ideas. Each main idea mayinclude supporting information such as facts, statistics, data, quotes, or personalanecdotes.

The final part of the essay is the conclusion. The conclusion usually restates themain claim. It may also summarize the points made in the body. In some essays,the conclusion will include a call to action. This is a statement that will encouragethe reader to take some action.

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The conclusion should:• restate the main claim• summarize the main ideas of the body• include a call to action, if appropriate

Main Idea #1• supporting details



The body should:• give information to support the claim• divide the information into several main ideas

Each main idea should:• be the focus of one section or paragraph• include supporting details or evidence

The evidence can be in the form of:• facts• data and statistics• quotes• expert opinions• personal anecdotes• reasoned arguments

The introduction should:• introduce the topic of the essay• give any necessary background information• state the main claim

The Structure of the Persuasive Essay

Paragraph 3

Paragraph 4

Paragraph 5

Paragraph 2

Paragraph 1

Introduction

Body

Conclusion

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Glossary

AnecdoteAn anecdote is an account of a certain event. An anecdote usually describes apersonal experience.

ArgumentAn argument is a set of reasons designed to support a claim.

AssumptionAn assumption is something that is assumed to be true.

Call to ActionA call to action is a statement that encourages people to take action.

ClaimA claim is a statement that something is true. In persuasive writing, the claim isthe main idea that the author wants the reader to believe or accept.

ConclusionA conclusion is a decision reached by considering facts and other evidence.

Controlling IdeaA controlling idea is the main idea of an essay.

EditorialAn editorial is a piece of writing that expresses the author’s opinion. Editorials arecommonly found in newspapers and magazines.

EvidenceEvidence refers to the facts, figures, quotes, data, examples, or other sources usedto provide support for ideas.

Expert OpinionAn expert opinion is an opinion given by someone who has strong knowledge ofthe topic.

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FactA fact is a piece of information that can be proven to be true.

MoodMood refers to how a text or part of a text makes the reader feel, or the feelingscreated in the reader.

OpinionAn opinion is a statement that cannot be proven to be true. It is a personal view of something.

Point of ViewPoint of view refers to the position of the speaker of a work. The point of view canbe first person, second person, third person limited, or third person omniscient.

PositionIn persuasive writing, the author’s position refers to how the author feels about atopic, or the author’s viewpoint.

QuoteA quote, or quotation, is the repetition of exact words from a source. A quote can be someone’s exact spoken words, or it can be exact written wordsfrom a source.

StatisticsStatistics are numerical facts and data.

ThemeA theme is the main topic or the main idea of a work.

ToneTone is how the author feels about the subject.

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InstructionEach persuasive text is introduced with key background

information that will help students understand the purposeof the text, the structure of the text, and the techniques used

to persuade readers.

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Persuasive Text 1

Introduction: This passage is a letter to the editor written to a local newspaper.Letters to the editor are addressed to the editor but are usually written to expressan opinion to the publication’s readership. The author, Bruno Pfeffer, wrote theletter to express his opinion about the unnecessary waste created by peopledrinking bottled water, and to persuade people to stop purchasing bottled water.Bruno first describes how bottled water is wasteful. Bruno then describes howpeople can change their behavior, and he gives people alternative options. In thefinal paragraph, Bruno urges people to change.

/ Letter to the Editor \Dear Editor,

1 It’s amazing how many people drink bottled waterthese days. Everywhere you go, you see hundreds ofpeople buying bottled water. They drink the water,throw out the bottle, and then buy another one. Wateris readily available for free, so this purchasing of bottledwater is unnecessary. More importantly, it is wasteful.Every time a bottle of water is purchased, a plasticwater bottle is used one time and then thrown away.There is no need for this waste of materials to continue.

2 There are some that will argue that throwing out waterbottles is not a major problem because they arerecycled. In this way, water bottles are reused. However,this is not truly what happens. First of all, not everybottle is recycled. In many cases, water bottles arethrown in with the regular trash and end up inlandfills. One study of recycling in the United Statesfound that only about 6 percent of all plastic materialsare recycled. This compares to about 50 percent of allpaper products being recycled. Clearly, it is not correct

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to assume that plastic water bottles are largely recycled. The other problem isthat it is not as simple as water bottles being cleaned and then reused. Instead,they are collected, transported, cleaned, turned back into basic plastic, andthen made into new items. This takes a lot of energy and resources. Energy isused to transport the bottles and to run the machines that recycle thematerials. Resources are also consumed in the process. There is a benefit thatthe recycling process creates jobs. For example, one factory that processes andrecycles plastic waste employs almost 500 people. However, these 500 peopleall drive their cars to work every day, which consumes fuel and otherresources. If there is no need to create additional waste material, then itshould not be created.

3 In a survey completed by a bottled water company, it was found that themajority of people choose to buy bottled drinking water because they considerthat it is purer and healthier and contains less impurities. Studies haveconfirmed that bottled water is purer than tap water. Blind tests completed bya bottled water company also showed that 98% of people prefer the taste ofPure Bliss bottled water over tap water. It is reasonable then, that peoplewould choose a more pure and better tasting form of water. However, buyingbottled water is not the only way that people can access a superior product.The same study also found that people choose bottled water because it is moreconvenient. If people choose to put in the effort, they can have high-qualitywater without having to continually waste plastic bottles.

4 There are several solutions to this problem. One option is to install a waterpurification system in your home. These attach to the faucet and treat thewater in a way similar to the water packaged in plastic bottles. This optionprovides people with a constant source of high-quality water. There is a cost toinstalling this system. However, it could easily be less than the cost ofconstantly purchasing water. For convenience, you can fill your own waterbottles, and then constantly refill them. Another option is to have filteredwater delivered to your home in bulk. This is similar to the water coolers thatare common in offices. A large volume of water can be delivered weekly ormonthly. Once the containers are empty, they are collected and refilled. Thisdoes have an ongoing cost, but many people are surprised by how affordable itis. The important thing is to honestly calculate how much you are spendingpurchasing bottled water constantly. One monthly cost can seem higher at

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first, but calculations often show that it is cheaper in the long run. A cheaperoption is to purchase a water bottle with a built-in filter. This has a low costand has the convenience of bottled water, but the water bottle is reused. Younever have to worry about running out of water because it can be refilled atany faucet. These three options describe several ways that people can continueto enjoy high-quality filtered water without creating waste.

5 I urge people to consider the unnecessary waste that the consumption ofbottled water creates and to make the effort to change their habits. There areseveral simple options that do not require a great deal of extra effort orexpense. In fact, these options are usually considerably cheaper in the longrun. Don’t assume that purchasing bottled water is all right because youalways make sure to put the empty bottle in the recycling bin. These actionsby such a large number of people are creating waste that is completelyunnecessary. There are better options, and I hope that people will considerthem.

Sincerely,Bruno Pfeffer

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1 Which sentence from the letter is an exaggeration?

A Everywhere you go, you see hundreds of people buying bottled water.

B Water is readily available for free, so this purchasing of bottled water isunnecessary.

C One study of recycling in the United States found that only about 6 percent of allplastic materials are recycled.

D One monthly cost can seem higher at first, but calculations often show that it ischeaper in the long run.

2 Read this sentence from the letter.

Blind tests completed by a bottled water company also showed that 98% ofpeople prefer the taste of Pure Bliss bottled water over tap water.

Which detail best indicates that the survey could have been biased?

A The tests were completed by a company that would want to show thatbottled water is superior.

B The tests compared only one brand of bottled water to tap water.

C The tests found that almost all people preferred the bottled water.

D The tests would not have considered how people feel about the wastematerials produced.

3 What does the author believe is the main benefit of installing a waterpurification unit instead of buying bottled water?

A Improving water taste

B Increasing convenience

C Saving money

D Reducing waste

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4 Read these sentences from the letter.

Don’t assume that purchasing bottled water is all right because you always make sure to put the empty bottle in the recycling bin. These actions by such a large number of people are creating waste that iscompletely unnecessary.

The author most likely included these sentences to create feelings of —

A laziness

B sadness

C frustration

D guilt

5 What is the main purpose of the fourth paragraph?

A To demonstrate that recycling is not necessary

B To suggest that most people will not change

C To make readers feel guilty about their actions

D To inform people about alternatives to bottled water

6 Do you think Bruno’s letter will encourage people who purchase bottled waterto change their habits? Use details from the letter to support your response.

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Persuasive Text 2

Introduction: This passage is an essay written by a student in response to SuzanneGordon’s book Life Support. The book describes the daily life of three nurses andfocuses on the challenges the nurses face every day. The essay analyzes theinformation in the book and uses the information to draw a conclusion about thepersonal qualities that effective nurses need to have. The student supports theclaims about the necessary qualities of nurses by using examples from the book.

/ A Response to Life Support \1 Reading and learning about nursing is one thing. Actually being a nurse issomething else. One way to learn about nursing while considering what it isreally like to be a nurse is to read about the real experiences of nurses. Thebook Life Support by Suzanne Gordon describes these real experiences. Thebook describes three nurses and provides details on the work they do, thechallenges they face, and the roles they play. By analyzing the three nursesand their experiences, you can tell that there are certain personal qualities thatmake an effective nurse. These necessary personal qualities are conflictmanagement skills, patience, and empathy.

2 The book shows that nurses constantly have to deal with difficult situationsand resolve conflicts. This often occurs with patients. One example of this waswhen one of Jeannie’s elderly patients complained that her underwear hadbeen stolen. I initially expected Jeannie to explain to the woman that nobodyis stealing her underwear. Instead, Jeannie promises to report the incident tosecurity, and this response calms the woman down. If Jeannie had tried toreason with the woman, the woman would probably have reacted to beingaccused of lying. While this is a fairly minor incident, I was impressed becauseit shows how Jeannie does what is best for each patient. The outcome of thesituation is what mattered, and the outcome achieved was that the patient feltcalmer. The nurses also have to manage conflicts with doctors. In the book,this is referred to as the doctor-nurse game. This refers to how the nurses havepersonal knowledge of the patients and have opinions, but how doctors oftenfeel that only their medical opinion counts. Managing this conflict requires


the nurse to express her opinion and have the doctor consider it, but withoutinsulting the doctor by suggesting that the nurse knows more than the doctor.This is managed when the nurse has the skills to focus on the outcomeneeded, and not to make it a situation where the doctor feels insulted.

3 Another key skill required of nurses is empathy. Empathy is the ability to see asituation from another person’s point of view. An example of the importanceof empathy occurs when Jeannie sees a young nurse having trouble with apatient with dementia. The young nurse tries to explain to the patient whatshe is doing, but this only agitates the patient. After the incident, Jeannieexplains to the young nurse that it would have been better to leave the patientand try again later. She explains that the patient has mood swings, and thattrying to convince the woman only upset her further. This made me see howyou have to think in terms of how the patient feels, even if the patient’sfeelings seem strange to you. The nurse tried to be logical with the patient, butthe patient does not have the state of mind to understand and accept logic.For the young nurse, it probably seemed liked having a blood pressure taken is not something a patient should get upset about. Yet clearly it can be veryupsetting to a patient. I wasimpressed that Jeannie sees the situation from the patient’spoint of view. Another exampleoccurs when a nurse observes a patient and doctor and sensesthat the patient is troubled.The nurse remained in theroom because she felt that thepatient might appreciate thechance to talk more and askmore questions. The patientdid ask questions, and thenwas calm enough to sleep well.This shows how being aware of a patient’s feelings can helpa nurse provide what thepatient needs.

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4 Another important quality required of a nurse is patience. All three nurses hada high degree of patience. This was needed not only to deal with patients, butalso to deal with doctors and the families of patients. The nurses often had todeal with patients and families who were upset, nervous, and sometimes evenenraged. In one case, a patient pulled a drip out of his arm in a fit of anger.The suggestion of the doctor is that they should refuse to treat the man.Nancy is the nurse in the situation, and she disagrees and wants to speak tothe man about what he did. She also recognizes that patients sometimes try togain some sort of control if they feel they have little. By speaking to the man,Nancy makes him feel better and he then receives the treatment he needs. Ithought this was a great example of showing understanding and patiencetowards others. Considering that all patients are going through difficult times,I think it is important to have this understanding.

5 While the book offers a description of the working lives of only three nurses,it does offer insight into the personal qualities that make a successful nurse.Nurses need to have good conflict management skills, empathy, and patience.With these qualities, nurses will be able to deal with and manage the widerange of difficult situations they encounter on a daily basis.

7 Which sentence from the passage is a fact?

A Empathy is the ability to see a situation from another person’s point of view.

B All three nurses had a high degree of patience.

C Considering that all patients are going through difficult times, I think it isimportant to have this understanding.

D With these qualities, a nurse will be able to deal with and manage the widerange of difficult situations they encounter on a daily basis.

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8 Which of these does the author use to support her claims about the essentialqualities of nurses?

A Suzanne Gordon’s ideas on the key qualities of nurses

B The opinions of the patients of three effective nurses

C Her analysis and interpretation of the nurses described in Life Support

D Interviews with the three nurses described in Life Support

9 How is the information in paragraphs 2 through 4 organized?

A Each paragraph describes one group of people that nurses have to deal with.

B Each paragraph describes one challenge that nurses have to overcome.

C Each paragraph describes one quality that nurses need to have.

D Each paragraph describes the most impressive quality of each nurse.

10 Which statement would the author of the passage most likely agree with?

A Nurses are not paid highly enough for the work they do.

B Nurses contribute significantly to the well-being of patients.

C Nurses often do not receive the respect they deserve.

D Nurses need as much medical training as doctors.

11 Read these sentences from the passage.

In one case, a patient pulled a drip out of his arm in a fit of anger. Thesuggestion of the doctor is that they should refuse to treat the man. Nancy isthe nurse in the situation and she disagrees and wants to speak to the manabout what he did.

The comparison of the doctor’s and the nurse’s response implies that nurses —

A are more caring and considerate

B focus more on results

C have less medical training

D are less demanding

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Persuasive Text 3

Introduction: This passage is an essay written by a student on the topic ofcreativity. The student introduces the topic by stating that creativity is notconsidered to be as important as other skills. The student then claims thatcreativity is an important skill that has many uses. The author makes severalarguments to support the idea that creativity is useful. These arguments includereferring to historical events and giving examples of how people can benefit fromusing creativity in real life.

/ Developing Creativity \1 Creativity has been defined as “the ability to combine ideas in a unique wayor to make unusual associations between ideas.” That broad definition hints athow many different ways creativity can be applied in life. Unfortunately,creativity is often considered as not being as important as other skills. Whenyou think of a person being creative, what do you think of? You probablythink of an artist painting, an author writing a book, or a sculptor making astrange but beautiful object. It is true that those are some ways creativity isused. Artists, authors, and sculptors all need and use creativity. But there aremany other ways creativity is used, and it is an important skill.

2 Now stop for a moment and consider the scientist Copernicus. Way back inthe early 1500s, everyone thought the Earth was at the center of the universeand the Sun and planets orbited it. Copernicus considered the informationavailable at the time and came up with a new theory. He argued that the Sunwas at the center and the Earth and the other planets orbited around it. Hedeveloped this theory, and it is still accepted today. In the 1600s, IsaacNewton had an idea that changed the progress of scientific thought. It is saidthat he was sitting against a tree when an apple fell on his head. This eventsparked a sudden new idea about gravity and how it worked. Just likeCopernicus, his new theory was accepted and is still accepted to this day. Idon’t believe that the apple really caused Isaac Newton to have his new idea. Ibelieve he was sitting against that tree thinking about the universe. He wasthinking about the universe and combining ideas about it. He was using all

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that he knew about science and making associations between ideas. In short,he was using his creativity. These examples show that creativity is not just forthe arts. Creativity plays a key role in science as well. Without creativethinking, there would be no new ideas about how the world works, andknowledge and understanding would not increase.

3 It is time that people started thinking differently about creativity. Don’t thinkof it as something unimportant. Don’t think of it as something you use whenenjoying a hobby, but not when doing serious work. Think of it as somethingthat will help you in every area of your life. It will even help you in science.Remember that the definition of creativity is “the ability to combine ideas in aunique way or to make unusual associations between ideas.” Science is neversimple, but is always complex. In science, things are always interconnected.Creativity can help you to make connections between ideas and develop agreater overall understanding. You might not come up with grand new ideasthat will change the world like Copernicus and Newton did. However, you canbegin to understand the world more clearly.

4 Creativity is also a critical skill in solving problems. When there is a problemand you need to solve it, what do you do? You think about what the problemis. You think about other factors in the situation. You assess everything youknow and develop possible solutions. Creativity will help you combineeverything you know about the situation and will help you come up with areasonable solution. By using your creativity to improve problem solving, youwill benefit in your academic life and in all other areas of your life.

5 Since creativity applies to so many areas, there are constant opportunities todevelop and improve it. Be aware of situations where creativity can be used.Then make a conscious effort to apply creativity. Try to think more broadlyand allow yourself to consider new ideas. Don’t set limitations on yourthinking, but be open to considering all possibilities. If you begin to feelconfused, keep going. That just means that your mind is getting used to takingin and combining information. Just like an athlete with aching but developingmuscles, your mind can sometimes feel the strain. But that strain is anindicator that you are stretching yourself, which leads to development andimprovement. In the end, you will become more creative and know how toapply that creativity in all areas. Your mind will be active and engaged, andwho knows what you might achieve.

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12 Which assumption does the author make about readers of the passage?

A They have a strong interest in science.

B They have no experience with art or writing.

C They enjoy taking part in creative activities.

D They do not value creativity as much as other skills.

13 Which detail given about Isaac Newton would it be impossible for the authorto know?

A How Newton’s ideas influenced the future of science

B What Newton’s theory of gravity described

C The thoughts of Newton as he developed his theory

D Whether Newton’s theory was accepted by other scientists

14 Read this sentence from paragraph 4.

When there is a problem and you need to solve it, what do you do?

Why does the author most likely include this question?

A To give readers the chance to use their creativity

B To help readers relate to the situation described

C To show that asking questions helps develop creativity

D To indicate that creativity is a crucial skill

15 What is the main purpose of the last paragraph?

A To encourage readers to make use of creativity

B To explain the benefits of being creative

C To describe situations where creativity can be applied

D To illustrate that creativity is an easy skill to learn

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16 The author most likely believes that creativity is a skill —

A that is mainly used to help people relax

B that requires great intelligence to apply

C that has a wide range of practical uses

D that is valued less today than it was in the past

17 In the last paragraph, why does the author compare a person being creative toan athlete?

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Persuasive Text 4

Introduction: This passage is based on a speech given by Spiro Agnew in 1969. Atthe time, Agnew was the Vice President of the United States of America. Agnew’sspeech expresses his concerns about the media, and specifically about televisionnews. He questions whether the news is free from bias and shows the influencethat the news media have on what the public knows.

/ Television News \Adapted from a Speech by Vice President Spiro Agnew

1 I have a subject that I think is of great importance to the American people.Tonight I want to discuss the importance of the television news medium tothe American people. No nation depends more on the intelligent judgment ofits citizens. No medium has a more profound influence over public opinion.Nowhere in our system are there fewer checks on vast power. So, nowhereshould there be more responsibility exercised than by the news media. Thequestion is, “Are we demanding enough of our television news presentations?And are the men of this medium demanding enough of themselves?”

2 At least 40 million Americans every night, it’s estimated, watch the networknews. Seven million of them view ABC, the remainder being divided betweenNBC and CBS. According to Harris polls and other studies, for millions ofAmericans the networks are the sole source of national and world news. InWill Roger’s1 observation, what you knew was what you read in the newspaper.Today, for growing millions of Americans, it’s what they see and hear on theirtelevision sets.

3 Now how is this network news determined? A small group of men, numberingperhaps no more than a dozen anchormen, commentators, and executiveproducers, settle upon the 20 minutes or so of film and commentary that’s toreach the public. This selection is made from the 90 to 180 minutes that maybe available. Their powers of choice are broad.

1Will Rogers was a journalist and newspaper columnist. He had a regularcolumn in the New York Times from 1922 to 1935. One of his well-knownquotes was “All I know is just what I read in the papers.”

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4 They decide what 40 to 50 million Americans will learn of the day’s events inthe nation and in the world. We cannot measure this power and influence bythe traditional democratic standards, for these men can create national issuesovernight. They can make or break by their coverage and commentary. Theycan elevate men from obscurity to national prominence within a week. Theycan reward some politicians with national exposure and ignore others. Formillions of Americans the network reporter who covers a continuing issuebecomes, in effect, the presiding judge in a national trial by jury.

5 Now what do Americans know of the men who wield this power? Of the menwho produce and direct the network news, the nation knows practicallynothing. Of the commentators, most Americans know little. We can deducethat these men read the same newspapers. They draw their political and socialviews from the same sources. Worse, they talk constantly to one another,thereby providing reinforcement to their shared viewpoints. Do they allowtheir biases to influence the selection and presentation of the news? DavidBrinkley2 states objectivity is impossible to normal human behavior. Rather,he says, we should strive for fairness. Another anchorman on a network newsshow contends, and I quote: “You can’t expunge all your private convictionsjust because you sit in a seat like this and a camera starts to stare at you. I think your program has to reflect what your basic feelings are. I’ll pleadguilty to that.”

6 Now I want to make myself perfectly clear. I’m not asking for governmentcensorship or any other kind of censorship. I am asking whether a form ofcensorship already exists when the news that 40 million Americans receiveeach night is determined by a handful of men responsible only to theircorporate employers and is filtered through a handful of commentators whoadmit to their own set of biases.

2David Brinkley was the anchor of NBC’s nightly news at the time of the speech.

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18 Which sentence from the speech is an example of how the choices of newspeople have great influence?

A At least 40 million Americans every night, it’s estimated, watch the network news.

B They can reward some politicians with national exposure and ignore others.

C Of the men who produce and direct the network news, the nation knowspractically nothing.

D Worse, they talk constantly to one another, thereby providing reinforcement totheir shared viewpoints.

19 What is the main purpose of the first two sentences of the speech?

A To state the main claim

B To describe a problem

C To introduce the topic

D To give background information

20 The details in the second paragraph are mainly included to support which idea?

A People should question what they hear on the news.

B People have a choice in what news they watch.

C The news is also a form of entertainment.

D The news has a great influence on people.

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21 In paragraph 4, network reporters are compared to judges. This implies thatthe opinions of the network reporters —

A are based on public opinion

B become accepted by society

C are educated opinions

D can be trusted as sincere

22 In paragraph 5, what main idea do the thoughts from David Brinkley andanother anchorman support?

A That news people take their roles seriously

B That the personal opinions of news people do influence content

C That news people aim to represent the majority of people

D That a desire to entertain is a focus of news people


Persuasive Text 5

Introduction: This passage is from a science textbook first published in 1912. Thepassage describes issues relating to dam strength. It explains the need for dams tobe strong. It then explains what causes dam failures and gives advice on how tomake dams secure. It is partly a technical description of the science of dams.However, it also aims to convince readers that dams are a safety concern, and tohave the reader agree with the advice on how to ensure that dams are safe.

The Bursting of Dams / and Reservoirs \

1 The construction of a safe reservoir isone of the most important problemsof engineers. In October 1911, atown in Pennsylvania was virtuallywiped out of existence because of thebursting of a dam. The dam was ofinsufficient strength to resist thestrain of the vast quantity of waterheld by it. A similar breakage was thecause of the fatal Johnstown flood in1889, which destroyed no less thanseven towns, and in whichapproximately 2,000 persons are saidto have lost their lives.

2 Water presses not only on the bottomof a vessel, but upon the sides as well.A bucket leaks whether the hole is inits side or its bottom. This shows thatwater presses not only downward butoutward. Usually a leak in a dam or reservoir occurs near the bottom. Weakspots at the top are rare and easily repaired, but a leak near the bottom is

Photo courtesy of The Library of Congress

House damaged in the Johnstown flood

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usually fatal. In the case of a large reservoir, the outflowing water carries deathand destruction to everything in its path.

3 If the leak is near the surface, the water issues as a feeble stream. This occursbecause the pressure against the sides at that level is due solely to therelatively small height of water. If the leak is lower, the issuing stream isstronger and swifter. At that level, the outward pressure is much greater. Theincrease is due to the fact that the height of the water is greater. If the leak isquite low, the issuing stream has a still greater speed and strength. It gushesforth with a force determined by the height of the water. The dam atJohnstown was nearly a half mile wide and 40 feet high. So great was the forceand speed of the escaping stream that within an hour after the break hadoccurred, the water had traveled a distance of 18 miles and had destroyedproperty to the value of millions of dollars.

4 If a reservoir has a depth of 100 feet, the pressure exerted upon each squarefoot of its floor is 6,250 pounds. The weight to be sustained by every squarefoot of the reservoir floor is somewhat more than 3 tons. Hence, strongfoundations are essential. The outward pressure at a depth of 25 feet would beonly one fourth as great as that on the bottom. Hence the strain on the sidesat that depth would be relatively slight, and a less powerful constructionwould be enough. But at a depth of 50 feet, the pressure on the sides would beone half that of the floor pressure, or 1.5 tons. At a depth of 75 feet, thepressure on the sides would be three quarters that on the bottom, or 2.25 tons.As the bottom of the reservoir is approached, the pressure against the sidesincreases. Therefore, more powerful construction becomes necessary. Smallelevated tanks, like those of the windmill, frequently have heavy iron bandsaround their lower portion as a protection against the extra strain.

5 Before erecting a dam or reservoir, the maximum pressure to be exerted uponevery square inch of surface should be accurately calculated. The structureshould then be built in such a way that the varying pressure of the water canbe sustained. It is not sufficient that the bottom be strong. The sides likewisemust support their strain. They must be increased in strength with depth. Thebursting of dams and reservoirs has occasioned the loss of so many lives, andthe destruction of so much property, that some states require the inspection ofall such structures.

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23 Read this sentence from the passage.

The bursting of dams and reservoirs has occasioned the loss of so manylives, and the destruction of so much property, that some states require theinspection of all such structures.

How does the author most likely feel about states requiring inspection?

A It is not necessary if dams are constructed properly.

B It is a good safeguard and could prevent major disasters.

C It is a waste of an engineer’s time that could be better spent.

D It is worthwhile, but the bursting of dams will sometimes occur anyway.

24 In paragraph 4, the author’s arguments on the strength of construction neededare based on —

A the opinions of scientists

B statistical data

C facts and calculations

D experiments conducted

25 The author establishes a tone that is —

A relaxed

B serious

C frightening

D comical

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26 What is the main purpose of the examples of dams bursting described inparagraph 1?

A To illustrate the importance of constructing safe dams

B To demonstrate that the bursting of dams is a rare occurrence

C To show that large dams are most likely to burst

D To warn people about the dangers of living close to dams

27 Which sentence in the passage does the author most likely include to create asense of alarm?

A The construction of a safe reservoir is one of the most important problems of engineers.

B In the case of a large reservoir, the outflowing water carries death and destruction to everything in its path.

C The dam at Johnstown was nearly a half mile wide and 40 feet high.

D If a reservoir has a depth of 100 feet, the pressure exerted upon each square foot of its floor is 6,250 pounds.

28 Using information from the passage, explain why the bursting of dams is aserious issue. Use at least two details from the passage to support your answer.

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Independent PracticePart 1 contains five persuasive texts with questions

for students to complete on their own. Part 2 contains four writing prompts to give students practice creating

persuasive writing.

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Part 1: ReadingPersuasive Text 1

/ Letter to the Editor \Dear Editor,

1 I am writing in response to your letter published in the last issue aboutstudents having to read and study Shakespeare. The writer, who did not give aname, argued that Shakespeare is too difficult for students. The writer also saidthat all students agree that trying to understand Shakespeare is frustrating,stressful, and not at all worth the effort. I am writing to tell you that not allstudents agree. I do admit that Shakespeare is not easy to understand, but Ialso believe that it is worth the effort. It is ridiculous to suggest that there isno point studying Shakespeare. There are many good reasons that studyingShakespeare is beneficial and worthwhile.

2 First, I have to dispute the argument that Shakespeare is too difficult forstudents. The writer of the letter made it seem like students were left alone totry to understand it on their own. This is not the case at all. Our teacherunderstands the challenges that students face and works hard to help studentsgain understanding. My teacher is Miss Hawkins, and she has been helpfuland patient. She has given us lists of difficult words to help us gainunderstanding. In one class, we went through the lines of a speech one byone. We then rewrote the whole speech using plain language. This gaveeveryone a clear understanding of the meaning. When we then reread thespeech, we understood the meaning and appreciated the language used. Thewriter of the letter also made it seem like we had to read entire plays. We havenot had to do anything like this. Instead, we have focused on just one act orjust a few important speeches. This stopped the work from becomingoverwhelming. While Shakespeare is difficult, our teacher presents it in a waythat is not beyond the understanding of students. I think Miss Hawkins andother teachers deserve credit for this. I think it is unfair to describeunderstanding Shakespeare as frustrating when our teachers are making suchan effort to make it accessible.

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3 With that being said, I do agree that Shakespeare is difficult. It is challengingand it does require effort to understand it. However, it is not too difficult forstudents. Maybe some students just need to recognize and accept that noteverything they learn is going to be easy. Shakespeare may require more timeand effort than other works, but that is not a reason we should not study it. Ifwe judged what we should learn by how easy it was, we would all be studyingpicture books. Of course, this is not a suitable type of literature to be learningabout. My argument is that we all need to accept that it is difficult, but alsoaccept the challenge to learn it. It will only make us better and improve ourskills, so there is nothing to lose.

4 I also disagree that learning Shakespeare is not worth the effort. Shakespeare isone of the greatest writers of all time. His use of language is amazing andsomething we can all learn from. He wrote plays in the 1500s that are stillperformed today. He wrote hundreds of sonnets that are like works of art.Suggesting that we should not study Shakespeare is like saying we shouldstudy science but ignore the work of Albert Einstein and Isaac Newton.Einstein and Newton also lived hundreds of years ago, but that is not a reasonto say that their work is unimportant. Their work is the foundation formodern science. To understand what scientists know now, you have tounderstand the history of science. I think studying Shakespeare is importantbecause it respects where literature comes from.

5 Another point the writer made is that Shakespeare is not worth the effort tolearn. It was suggested that Shakespeare’s writing is not relevant today. It istrue that Shakespeare wrote hundreds of years ago. However, he wrote aboutthemes and issues that are still relevant today. Shakespeare’s most famousplays are tragedies. In these, there is a main character with a flaw. This flawleads to their downfall. Some of the flaws include being too proud, being ajealous person, being unable to take action, or being unable to see beyondappearances. The plays are set in a different time, and this can make themseem less relevant. However, the personal challenges of the characters are justlike those that people face today. Shakespeare’s plays are relevant todaybecause they deal with people’s faults and how they impact the person’s life.This makes the plays timeless and shows that they will always have meaning.Shakespeare’s sonnets also have timeless themes. There are sonnets aboutnature, beauty, love, time, aging, and even politics. These themes are relevant

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today. I think it is a mistake to think that Shakespeare’s work is not relevanttoday just because it does not use the language of today.

6 Overall then, I hope you have seen that not all students agree thatShakespeare should not be studied in our classrooms. Shakespeare ischallenging, but is still worth reading and is still relevant today. I hope thatour teachers will continue to teach it and continue to work hard to help usunderstand this important literature.

Sincerely,Tammie Sanderson

1 In paragraph 5, the author supports the idea that Shakespeare’s works arerelevant today based mainly on what aspect of the works?

A Setting

B Theme

C Language

D Genre

2 Which statement about Shakespeare’s work is a fact?

A Shakespeare is one of the greatest writers of all time.

B His use of language is amazing and something we can all learn from.

C He wrote plays in the 1500s that are still performed today.

D He wrote hundreds of sonnets that are like works of art.

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3 Read these sentences from the letter.

In one class, we went through the lines of a speech one by one. We thenrewrote the whole speech using plain language.

Why does the author most likely describe this classroom activity?

A To give an example of how teachers make Shakespeare easier to understand

B To support the idea that Shakespeare is too difficult for some students

C To teach readers a method they can use to understand Shakespeare

D To show that Shakespeare does use difficult language

4 Based on the information in paragraph 3, the author probably thinks thatstudents who do not want to study Shakespeare are being —

A argumentative

B lazy

C rude

D childish

5 Which similarity between William Shakespeare, Albert Einstein, and IsaacNewton is most relevant to the author’s argument?

A Their works can be difficult to understand.

B Their works are central to their fields.

C They wrote about many different themes.

D They focused mainly on science.

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6 Read this sentence from the letter.

If we judged what we should learn by how easy it was, we would all bestudying picture books.

The author includes this sentence to support the idea that Shakespeare is nottoo difficult. Do you think this statement is a strong argument? Explain whyor why not.

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Persuasive Text 2

Introduction: This passage is based on a speech given by President Bill Clinton onFebruary 5, 1993. At this time, a bill allowing for family medical leave had justbeen passed by Congress. This bill allowed people to take up to 12 weeks of unpaidleave each year if they needed to care for a family member or a newborn child.

/ Family Medical Leave \Adapted from a Speech by President Bill Clinton

1 I think all of us should acknowledge that it was America’s families who havebeaten the gridlock in Washington to pass family leave. It was the people wholaid their plight out, and who asked that their voices be heard. When SenatorGore and I ran in the election last year, we published a book called “PuttingPeople First.” I’m very proud that the first bill I am to sign as President trulyputs people first.

2 I do want to thank the United States Congress for moving quickly on thismatter. I want to thank them for doing it before their first recess. Now everymember of Congress who voted for this bill can go home and say, “We are upthere working on your problems and your promise, trying to make a betterfuture for you.” This sends a clearer signal than any words any of us couldutter. It shows that we have tried to give this government back to theAmerican people. And I am very appreciative that the Congress has moved sorapidly on this bill.

3 Family medical leave has always had the support of a majority of Americans,from every part of the country, from every walk of life, from both politicalparties. But some people opposed it. And they were powerful. It took 8 yearsto make this legislation the law of the land. Now millions of our people willno longer have to choose between their jobs and their families.

4 The law guarantees the right of up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave per year whenit’s urgently needed at home to care for a newborn child or an ill familymember. This bill will strengthen our families. I believe it will strengthen ourbusinesses and our economy as well.

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5 I have spent an enormous amount of time in the last 12 years in the factoriesand businesses of this country talking to employers and employees. I’ve beenwatching the way people work, and often working with them. And I knowthat men and women are more productive when they are sure they won’t losetheir jobs because they’re trying to be good parents or good children. Ourbusinesses should not lose the services of these dedicated Americans. And overthe long run, the lessons of the most productive companies in the world arethat those who put their people first are those who will triumph in the globaleconomy. The business leaders who have already introduced family andmedical leave understand this. I’m very proud of some of the business leaderswho are here today. They were ahead of all of us who make laws in doingwhat is right by our families.

6 Family and medical leave is a matter of pure common sense and a matter ofcommon decency. It will provide Americans what they need most: peace of mind. Never again will parents have to fear losing their jobs because oftheir families.

7 Just a week ago, I spoke to 10 people in families who had experiencedproblems managing serious family problems while trying to keep their jobs.Vice President Gore and I talked to people all across America who moved usdeeply. We were saddened to hear their stories, but today all of us can behappy to think of their future.

8 Now that we have won this difficult battle, let me ask all of you to thinkabout what we must do ahead to put the public interest ahead of specialinterest. We need to go on about the business of putting families first. There’sa lot more we need to do to help people trapped in welfare move to work andindependence. We need to reward those who work 40 hours a week and havechildren at home. We need to immunize all the children of this country somore parents won’t have to take advantage of family leave because theirchildren will be well and strong and healthy.

9 Let all of us who care about our families, our people, the strength of oureconomy, and the future of our nation put our other interests aside. Let us beinspired by this great victory today to have others when Congress returns tothis city and we go on about the people’s business.

Thank you very much.

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7 Read this sentence from the speech.

I think all of us should acknowledge that it was America’s families whohave beaten the gridlock in Washington to pass family leave.

What does the phrase “beaten the gridlock in Washington” imply?

A People did not understand the bill.

B The bill caused many arguments.

C There were delays in passing the bill.

D The bill was passed quickly.

8 Which sentence from the speech is most likely an exaggeration?

A I do want to thank the United States Congress for moving quickly on this matter.

B This sends a clearer signal than any words any of us could utter.

C It took 8 years to make this legislation the law of the land.

D This bill will strengthen our families.

9 In the first paragraph, the phrase “laid their plight out” shows that the people —

A started to lose hope

B refused to give up

C described their problems

D developed a solution

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10 Read these sentences from the speech.

Vice President Gore and I talked to people all across America who moved usdeeply. We were saddened to hear their stories, but today all of us can behappy to think of their future.

These sentences were most likely included to create feelings of —

A relief

B doubt

C shock

D delight

11 Which statement best describes Clinton’s view on the passing of the bill?

A It is a significant step forward for the United States.

B It is shameful that a law protecting people is needed.

C It is important that people do not try to take advantage of it.

D It is a minor achievement in dealing with much greater problems.

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Persuasive Text 3

/ Acid Rain \1 Acid rain occurs when rainfall contains higher than usual amounts of acid.The two main acids that are present in acid rain are nitric acid and sulfuricacid. They are introduced into rainfall because of the burning of fossil fuels.When fossil fuels are burned, sulfur and nitrogen compounds are released intothe atmosphere. Once in the atmosphere, they react with water and oxygen toform acid compounds. The main source of the compounds is from electricitygeneration, which involves burning coal. The Environmental ProtectionAgency (EPA) estimates that about two-thirds of the sulfur and nitrogencompounds released into the atmosphere come from electricity generation.Acid rain is a significant environmental problem that has several negativeeffects. These include increasing the acidity of water bodies, harming plantlife, presenting a risk to human health, and damaging materials.

2 The first significant effect of acid rain is that it increases the acidity of thewater in streams, rivers, lakes, marshes, and other waterways. When acid rainfalls to the ground, it flows into these water bodies. In some cases, the soil isable to neutralize the acid in the water, and the water body is not affected. Inother cases, the acid rainwater increases the acidity of the water body. Manyaquatic organisms are sensitive to changes in acidity. In some cases, only asmall increase in acidity can harm fish and other organisms. Each organismhas a range of acidity levels that they can handle. Acidity levels are measuredon the pH scale. A lower number indicates greater acidity. Crustaceans such assnails need a pH level greater than 5.5. River fish like trout and bass usuallycannot survive in water with a pH level less than 5. Amphibians such assalamanders can survive down to a pH of about 4.5, and frogs can survivedown to a pH of 4. As the pH of a water body declines, the number of speciesthat can survive in it declines. In this way, acid rain can reduce thebiodiversity in the environment. Another issue is that the acid rain flowingtoward the water body takes in aluminum. The more acidic the water is, themore aluminum it takes in from the soil. This aluminum flows into the waterbody and is harmful to many fish.

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3 Acid rain harms plant life in two major ways. First, it can damage the leaves ofplants. Acids are corrosives, which means that they eat away materials. Acidrain falling onto the leaves of plants can erode the leaves. This is usually notsignificant enough to kill the plant, but it does weaken the plant by reducingits ability to take in sunlight and produce energy. Second, acid rain influencesthe quality of the soil. Plants obtain the nutrients they need by absorbingthem from the soil. When normal rainfall occurs, it washes over the soilwithout doing any serious damage. Acid rain is quite different because itabsorbs nutrients as it passes over the soil. These nutrients are carried away bythe rainwater. This leaves behind a poorer quality soil that has fewer nutrientsavailable for plants. These problems do not cause the immediate destruction ofplant life. This makes it easy to overlook how serious the consequences of acidrain are on plants. You cannot point to an empty field and say that a healthyforest used to be there like you can for things like logging. But the overalleffects are just as serious. Plants and forests become gradually weaker overtime, and this is a significant risk to their health.

4 Just like plants, people are also harmed by acid rain. The potential harm thatcan be done is not immediately obvious. The acidity of acid rain is notanywhere near great enough for a person to even realize that it is anythingother than normal rain. However, the particles that cause acid rain can beinhaled. This is also not something that a person would even realize washappening. The amounts are so small that each occurrence would not even benoticed. However, over long periods of time, the lungs can become irritated.This can lead to increased occurrences of conditions like asthma andbronchitis. This is a broad problem that is not just related to acid rain. It isrelated to air pollution in general, so acid rain cannot be described as adefinite cause of human health problems. However, it is another negativefactor that can contribute to health problems.

5 Acid rain also causes damage to buildings and other structures by erodingthem. The more acidic the rainwater is, the more erosion occurs. Objects madeof marble and limestone tend to erode especially quickly. This can causelasting damage to important historical items such as statues. The surface ofbuildings and bridges can also erode, which causes them to appear old andworn down. This is partly a problem because it damages the appearance of thestructures. It is also a problem because it increases repair and maintenancecosts. The same problem occurs with vehicles, as acid rain causes the paint to

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fade much quicker than it should. Special paints are then used that can resistthis damage, but this adds an additional cost. This illustrates the economiceffect that acid rain can have.

6 Acid rain tends to affect the environment in slower and more subtle ways thanother environmental issues. Animals, plants, people, and buildings do nottypically change radically overnight. However, this does not mean that theeffects of acid rain are not as serious. They do occur more slowly and take timeto be seen, but the consequences are just as serious. Acid rain is a significantenvironmental issue. It needs to be taken seriously so actions can be taken toprevent it.

12 The background information in the first paragraph mainly explains —

A the effects of acid rain

B the causes of acid rain

C the history of acid rain

D the evidence for acid rain

13 In paragraph 3, why does the author compare acid rain to logging?

A To demonstrate that the effects of acid rain are less dramatic

B To show that logging is a more serious problem than acid rain

C To help readers imagine the long-term effects of acid rain

D To suggest that the environmental problems have the same cause

14 In which paragraph does the author demonstrate that acid rain has financial consequences?

A Paragraph 2

B Paragraph 3

C Paragraph 4

D Paragraph 5

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15 According to paragraph 2, how does acid rain reduce the biodiversity of water bodies?

A By increasing the amount of aluminum in the water

B By reducing the amount of plant life available

C By limiting the number of species that can survive in the water

D By decreasing the quantity of water in the water bodies

16 Which sentence best supports the idea that the effects of acid rain are subtle?

A In some cases, only a small increase in acidity can harm fish and other organisms.

B Acid rain falling onto the leaves of plants can erode the leaves.

C However, over long periods of time, the lungs can become irritated.

D This can cause lasting damage to important historical items such as statues.

17 Using details from the passage, explain why acid rain is a threat to plant life.Give at least two reasons.

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Persuasive Text 4

Introduction: This passage is an essay written after studying Shakespeare’s playOthello. The two main characters in the play are the husband and wife Othello andDesdemona. They are both tricked by the character Iago. Iago wants revenge onOthello and develops a plan to take them both down. Othello is fooled intobelieving that his wife has been unfaithful, and he tragically smothers her.

The Cause of the Downfall of / Othello and Desdemona \

1 Iago is recognized as the villain of Othello and is known as one who deceivesothers. With this in mind, some might argue that Othello and Desdemona arevictims in Iago’s plan for revenge. However, it is important to note that Iagosuccessfully deceives people because he uses people’s own weaknesses againstthem. In the case of Othello and Desdemona, there are weaknesses in theircharacters and in their relationship that make it possible for Iago to deceivethem. These weaknesses include Desdemona’s willingness to go along withthings, Desdemona’s naivety, and a lack of communication between Othelloand Desdemona.

2 The first flaw in Desdemona’s character is her willingness to go along withthings and not to question them. One of the first times this is observed is in aconversation she has with Iago. In this conversation, Iago is making fun ofwomen in a rude way. Emilia responds to Iago by saying that she will have nopart of the conversation, while also suggesting that Iago’s words areinappropriate. Desdemona takes the opposite approach by encouraging Iago tocontinue. The inappropriate conversation then continues as Desdemonacontinues to encourage Iago. The fact that Desdemona takes part in thediscussion suggests that she is willing to go along with what other people aredoing, rather than question what they are doing. This suggests thatDesdemona is too keen to help other people and will do anything she is askedwithout considering whether she really should. The same character trait isseen when Othello becomes jealous and begins to act strangely. Shortly after

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Desdemona has been called false by Othello and has been slapped by him, sheasks Iago what she can do to win Othello back. This shows that even withOthello’s bad treatment of her, Desdemona does not stand up for herself. Shejust wants to please him and always obeys him. This shows that she is toowilling to go along with what others want. This contributes to the tragedybecause if Desdemona had been more willing to question things and stand upfor herself, she might have been able to prevent the tragedy.

3 The second flaw in Desdemona’s character is that she is naive and tooaccepting. Desdemona reveals that she is too accepting when she describesOthello’s flaws. She says that she even loves his faults. The problem this createsis that accepting all his faults means that she never stands up to those faults.Desdemona has blind love for Othello, where she does not see who he truly is.Even when Othello tries to smother Desdemona, she still tries to protect him.This shows that Desdemona is willing to forgive any sin. This contributes tothe tragedy because if Desdemona had seen Othello’s flaws, she could havestood up to him and they could have been dealt with. Unfortunately,Desdemona is too naive to see the truth. This results in Desdemona neverquestioning Othello or taking action to stop the chain of events.

4 Othello and Desdemona also contribute to their downfall because of a lack ofcommunication. This is made clear in a conversation between Desdemona andOthello in Scene III, Act IV. In this conversation, Othello constantly speaks ofthe handkerchief, while Desdemona constantly speaks of Cassio. Neither ofthem actually listen or respond to each other, instead both are focused ontheir own concerns. This suggests a relationship where they do notcommunicate well. Poor communication is also seen when Othello decidesthat Desdemona has been unfaithful. Othello says that nothing will changehis mind now and that nothing will stop him from seeking revenge on themboth. This statement is made without any real proof. More importantly, thisstatement is made without Othello actually speaking to Desdemona about hisconcerns. This contributes to the tragedy because if Othello and Desdemonawere able to communicate effectively, they may have talked about the issueand solved it before it resulted in the tragic ending.

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5 Overall, it is clear that Othello and Desdemona are not simply innocentvictims of Iago’s revenge plan. Instead, they contribute to their own downfall.Desdemona’s willingness to go along with things and her naivety contributeto the tragedy. The lack of communication between Othello and Desdemonaalso contributes to the tragedy. In the end, the flaws in their characters and intheir relationship allow Iago to deceive them so that they bring about theirown downfall.

18 The information in paragraph 2 is mainly organized by —

A stating a main idea and then giving details to support it

B describing the causes and effects of a character’s actions

C stating a problem and then offering a solution to the problem

D comparing the actions of two different characters


Desdemona has blind love for Othello, where she does not see who he truly is.

In this sentence, what does the word blind show about Desdemona?

A She is not using reason.

B She does not have a sense of sight.

C She does not know Othello well.

D She is certain of her feelings.

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20 In paragraph 4, why does the author describe a conversation betweenDesdemona and Othello?

A To support the idea that they have poor communication skills

B To show that they accept each other without question

C To demonstrate that they do not share common interests

D To suggest that Othello does not trust his wife


This contributes to the tragedy because if Othello and Desdemona were ableto communicate effectively, they may have talked about the issue and solvedit before it resulted in the tragic ending.

This sentence is best described as —

A a prediction

B an observation

C a fact

D an exaggeration

22 The author organizes the information in paragraphs 2 through 4 mainly by —

A describing the main events of the play from earliest to latest

B analyzing the actions of one character from the play in each paragraph

C retelling the events of the play and then describing their causes

D focusing on one weakness of Desdemona and Othello in each paragraph

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Persuasive Text 5

The Current Era:/ A Positive Time for Families \

1 Ideas on what makes a good family have changed over time in response to achanging society. Each period of time has both positive and negative aspects.However, it is the current era that is the most positive time for families. Thereare several reasons why the current era is considered the most positive time forfamilies. The current view of the family focuses on how the family actuallyfunctions, not on how it looks from the outside. It allows problems to berecognized and managed instead of being hidden. It offers the best chance for children, and it allows for variety in families. All of these factors make the current era the best time in history for the family.

2 To see why the family has it better in the current era, it is first necessary todisprove an important myth. Many people suggest that families were perfectdecades ago. Research has shown that this is incorrect. Many studies havecompared the families of the early 1900s with the way they were portrayed.These studies have found that the perfect family never really existed. Instead, it was just that families thought they had to match a perfect model of a family.Families tried to live up to the model. When they didn’t, they pretended theydid because any other actions were thought to be unacceptable. People wereforced to hide the reality of their families. This meant that all the problemswithin the family were hidden. This may be the ideal family from the outside,but it is far from it in reality. The fact that individuals in families can revealtheir problems and seek help is a significant positive quality for the currentfamily. The current era is the only period in history where the family isapproached with openness. Individuals in families do not have to hide theirproblems and pretend to be perfect. The focus has also moved away fromappearances. In current times, an effective family is one that is best for thefamily unit. There are a range of structures that are acceptable. This means thatthe focus is on what really matters, which is what kind of environment thefamily is operating in. This is a healthy family model.

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3 Another reason that families are better off today is that people have morechoices. Families were far from perfect in the early 1900s. However, thedivorce rates were quite low. The divorce rates before and after World War IIsuggest that families were not as happy as they seemed. Just before World WarII, the divorce rate for married women was 8.8 percent. Just after the war, thedivorce rate rose to 17.9 percent. This rise can be seen as being caused bywomen realizing that they can cope without their husbands. This suggests thatjust before the war, there were many women in unhappy marriages butunwilling to leave those marriages. Then women realized that they did nothave to remain in their marriages. They could choose other options thatwould be better for themselves and their children. In a society that does notgive people the option to leave bad family relationships, the child may beworse off because they will remain in the poor environment. Therefore, whilethere is no doubt that there are problems associated with families in currenttimes, it is positive that these problems can be recognized and dealt withinstead of people having to remain in problematic situations.

4 The current view of the family is also the one that offers the most to children.In my view, the impact on children is the most important aspect of the family.Prior to the war years, children were seen as serving an economic purpose,such as by working or by providing for parents during old age. Children wereseen for what they would contribute to the family unit. In the current era, thishas changed. It is now accepted that children deserve love and need to benurtured. This is the first time that children do not have to prove their worth.This is also seen in modern times with concern over how the family structuremeets the needs of children. This basis of looking at the family based on whatsort of environment it provides is a positive way to look at the family. It is alsoimportant that the current view of the family is focused on protecting andcaring for children. After all, the children are the individuals in the familyunit who are not able to take care of themselves.

5 One of the critical differences with the current view of the family is thatvarious forms are considered acceptable. There is no one right structure for the family. Instead, the focus is on finding the right structure for the peopleinvolved and their particular situation. This is the most effective approachwhen it is considered that it is not realistic to assume that everyone is thesame. The United States is a diverse nation with people of different cultural

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backgrounds. It is illogical to think that one model would fit such a diverserange of people. A view that allows for different family structures allows everyfamily to find the structure that suits it best.

6 These are all reasons why the current era is the best time for families. This eraallows for the focus to be on the actual functioning of the family instead ofhow the family looks to the outside world. It also allows for problems to berecognized. This may initially make it appear that the family has problems.However, this is a positive aspect because recognizing problems allows them to be dealt with instead of being hidden away. The current era is also the firsttime that the focus is on protecting and nurturing children. This is positivebecause children are the ones that most need care and protection. Finally, thecurrent era accepts that there is not one ideal model for a family, but that thefamily can take on any number of forms. In a society based on diversity, thisapproach to accepting differences in families is essential to allowing everyfamily to find the structure that is best for it.

23 Which sentence from the first paragraph states the main claim of the passage?

A Ideas on what makes a good family have changed over time in response to achanging society.

B However, it is the current era that is the most positive time for families.

C The current view of the family focuses on how the family actually functions, not on how it looks from the outside.

D It allows problems to be recognized and managed instead of being hidden.

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24 What does the author believe was the cause of the increase in divorce ratesafter World War II?

A Women realizing that their marriage problems were not unique

B Women in unhappy marriages deciding they could leave their husbands

C Women becoming financially able to support their own families

D Women deciding that the needs of the children should come first

25 Which paragraph best supports the idea that modern families should haveflexible structures?

A Paragraph 2

B Paragraph 3

C Paragraph 4

D Paragraph 5

26 What does the author most likely believe is the most important factor in a family?

A How strong the relationship is between the husband and wife

B How many people there are in the family

C How well the needs of the children are met

D How the family appears to people outside the family

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27 Read this sentence from the second paragraph.

To see why the family has it better in the current era, it is first necessary todisprove an important myth.

How does the author disprove the myth referred to?

A By describing how people view the family today

B By giving examples of early family structures

C By comparing how families really were with how they appeared to be

D By explaining the reason the myth was once widely accepted

28 How has the way children are viewed changed over time? Use details from thepassage to support your answer.

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Part 2: Writing

/ Writing Prompt 1 \READ the following quotation.

Benjamin Franklin once said, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”

THINK carefully about the following statement.

Preparation is the first step in achieving something. Without goodpreparation, you are unlikely to succeed.

WRITE an essay supporting the opinion that preparation is essential to success.

Be sure to —• clearly state your main claim or controlling idea• include 2 or 3 supporting ideas• organize and develop your explanation effectively• choose your words carefully• use correct spelling, capitalization, punctuation, grammar, and sentence structure

Use the Space Below to Plan Your Composition

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/ Writing Prompt 2 \READ the following quotation.

A famous saying is, “It is better to give than to receive.”

THINK carefully about the following statement.

It feels good to receive things from others. It often feels even better to givethings to others.

WRITE a persuasive essay arguing that it is better to give than to receive.



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/ Writing Prompt 3 \READ the information below.

If you speak without thinking first, you may say things that you will laterregret. Once words have been spoken, it is hard to take them back.

THINK about why it is important to think before you speak.

WRITE an essay arguing that it is important to think before you speak.



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/ Writing Prompt 4 \READ the information below.

In teams, not everybody can be the leader. It is important that a person learns how to work with others and how to accept someone else as the leader.

THINK about how it can be challenging to accept someone else as the leader.

WRITE an essay supporting the idea that it is important to be able to acceptsomeone else as the leader. Explain what people can do to be a good memberof a team.



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Understanding Persuasive Text: Reading and Argumentative Writing teaches studentshow to understand and analyze persuasive texts, how to write persuasive essays and preparesthem for the STAAR. Students will understand and analyze a range of persuasive texts thatappear on the STAAR, such as editorials, letters, speeches, essays, historical texts, scientifictexts, and responses to literature. Students will learn about the purpose and structure ofpersuasive texts, and will understand the techniques used to persuade readers.

Understanding Persuasive Text also includes writing prompts that will prepare students forthe STAAR Writing test. Students will make claims and produce well-supported arguments forthose claims.

The Instruction section contains five persuasive texts. Each text is introduced with keyinformation that will help students understand the purpose and structure of the text. Key information is also given on the claims made, the arguments presented, and the evidence included. Students then answer multiple-choice and open-ended questions abouteach persuasive text.

Part 1 of the Independent Practice section contains five persuasive texts. Each persuasivetext is followed by several questions that students will answer on their own. This section ofthe book contains multiple-choice and open-ended questions.

Part 2 of the Independent Practice section contains four persuasive writing prompts.Students will apply their understanding of persuasive writing to create four essays.

Documents

Understanding Persuasive Text (Reading & Argumentative Writing)