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Sample
Sixth Grade Reading
STAAR
Practice and Reinforce
Diagnose and Remediate
Evaluate and Pass
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© 2014 TripleNterprises Educational Publishing
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Teacher Manual Sample
Lesson 23 11(B)
© 2014 TripleNterprises Educational Publishing
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Texas STAAR Exam -- Lesson 23, Reporting Category 3, 11(B)
(11) Reading/Comprehension of Informational Text/Persuasive Text.
Students analyze, make inferences and draw conclusions about persuasive text and
provide evidence from text to support their analysis. Students are expected to
(B)
identify simply faulty reasoning used in persuasive texts.
Supporting Standard
____________________________________________________________________________
Say:
When you think of a persuasive text, what comes to mind?
[Answers: Newspapers, advertisements, magazines, speeches, online articles, etc.]
Say:
Great. And what does it mean to persuade?
[Answers: To convince someone to take a position, buy a product, vote for a candidate, etc.]
Say:
Ok. Writers of persuasive texts have a goal, those we mentioned earlier. They are
trying to convince you of something. In order to do that, they will use reasoning and/or
emotion to influence you. In some cases the reasoning they use will be faulty. Let's look
at what that means.
Put Lesson Slide 1 on the white board / overhead
[Note: In each example point out why the type of reasoning is fault.].
In selected evidence, the author is not identifying the fact that many students do participate in
extracurricular activities and the importance of that involvement.
In either/or thinking the author does not consider public transportation as an option.
In circular reasoning the author repeats the same comment differently but never answers the
question "why".
In over generalization the author assumes every tax payer is willing to take up arms to defend
this country. There is no proof that this comment is true.
In faulty cause and effect, the author infers the quarterback was responsible for the
touchdown, doesn't state how the touchdown was scored. The quarterback could have simply
handed the ball to a running back that made a great play, without the quarterback having any
impact on the touchdown.
Say:
Read A Candidate For The People and do STAAR Practice 23.
Note: It is important that you describe to the class what an alderman is and what districts
are, as this understanding is important to the story and the questions that follow.
© 2014 TripleNterprises Educational Publishing
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Lesson 23, Lesson Slide 1
Simply Faulty Reasoning
Type of
Reasoning:
Selected
Evidence
Example:
Description:
Choose only the
information that
makes your point
look good. The
whole truth is not
presented.
Type of
Reasoning:
Either/Or
Thinking
Students at the middle
school study 7 subjects
each day with homework
every night. This leaves
no time for extracurricular
activities. Money spent
on these activities should
you be used to improve
academics.
Example:
Description:
Suggesting there are
only two ways to
look at a problem or
situation may be
faulty or incorrect.
Either you buy a car or
won't be able to get a
job.
Continue to lesson slide 2
© 2014 TripleNterprises Educational Publishing
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Lesson 23, Lesson Slide 2
Simply Faulty Reasoning continued
Example:
Type of
Reasoning:
Circular
Reasoning
Description:
Stating the same
point over and over
again in different
ways.
Type of
Reasoning:
Over
Generalization
You should be
responsible because
there are things you
should do. You must
complete the things
you are responsible
for.
Example:
Description:
Over generalization
covers too many
situations and is
impossible to prove
or to disprove.
© 2014 TripleNterprises Educational Publishing
Every tax payer is a
great patriot and would
defend this country to
their death.
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Lesson 23, Lesson Slide 3
Simply Faulty Reasoning continued
Type of
Reasoning:
Faulty Cause and
Effect
Example:
Description:
Putting two events
together sequentially
suggesting one caused
the second to occur.
They may in fact have
no relationship at all.
© 2014 TripleNterprises Educational Publishing
A new quarterback
entered the game and
team scored a
touchdown.
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Student Book Sample
Lesson 23 11(B)
© 2014 TripleNterprises Educational Publishing
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A Candidate For The People
1
Peter Rathman is an honest man. We all know him as a stand-up guy. Ever
since he was elected as alderman in District 3, the city's economy has been
booming. In fact, the city has constructed a new town hall, a new civic center
and a new courthouse. All of this has been done since Peter has been in office.
2
Our crime rate has decreased by over 20%. Our police force has increased by
200 officers. There are an average of 30 fewer court cases being heard each
week. Peter believes in law and order, and these numbers are proof of that
commitment.
3
Our city's public transportation has been upgraded. Newer fuel efficient buses
have been purchased, bus routes have been reconstructed to provide better
service, and our new taxi system is the best in the state. This has in no small
way helped our city to thrive economically.
4
Peter was on the council that recommended a reduction in our local sales tax.
This reduction was approved by the city board and signed into law by the mayor
last month. Because of this reduction in tax, all of our local retailers have been
doing better than they have in the past decade. Peter believes in economic
expansion.
5
And now Peter is running for mayor. With all he has been able to accomplish,
Peter is the perfect candidate to lead this great city for the next 2 years. In fact,
over 70% of the people in his district voted for Peter when he was elected
alderman, so you should do the same now that he is running for mayor.
6
As mayor, Peter will continue to fight for economic growth, provide law and order
and continue to make our city more efficient. With Peter as mayor, all of the
city's gains over the past two years will continue. Peter believes in this city and
in its citizens. Every citizen can appreciate Peter's respect for them and how
much Peter cares for them.
7
Peter is not looking to expand his career beyond mayor, so you can be assured
he will be here for the long haul, helping our great city to expand and prosper,
just as he has done as alderman of District 3. Peter was born and raised here.
Peter will finish what he starts, and his commitment to stay in this city is proof of
that.
8
In his first term as mayor, Peter will provide housing to all those who are
unfortunate and without homes of their own. Our homeless problem will be
solved. Fewer people will go hungry. The city will be a cleaner and safer place
to live. Peter has the ability to make this happen, just as he has made all the
current improvements happen.
© 2014 TripleNterprises Educational Publishing
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A Candidate For The People continued
9
If you don't vote for Peter, the city will not move forward. Peter is the one and
only candidate that can see this city into the next decade and ensure its
continued growth and improvements. With Peter as mayor, your lives will all be
improved.
10 Peter is the perfect candidate for the city. The people of District 3 have already
proved that to us. Vote for Peter Rathman as your mayor, and you will see the
city move forward in a very positive manner.
© 2014 TripleNterprises Educational Publishing
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STAAR Practice 23
1 Who was the likely author of this article?
A Peter Rathman
B A citizen of District 3
C An advocate of Peter Rathman
D The current city mayor
2 The first two lines of paragraph 1 use which type of faulty reasoning?
A Selected evidence
B Either/Or thinking
C Circular reasoning
D Over generalization
3 Why might paragraph 4 be considered to be using a faulty cause and effect
technique?
A It is possible that Peter did not vote for the reduction in sales tax.
B The sales tax reduction still needed to be approved by the city board.
C Peter was new to the council and had no impact on the outcome of the vote.
D Peter was not in charge of the council so he should not get credit for the vote.
4 There is another technique used by the author in paragraph 4 besides faulty cause
and effect. Which one does he use?
A Over generalization
B Circular reasoning
C Either/or reasoning
D Selected evidence
© 2014 TripleNterprises Educational Publishing
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STAAR Practice 23 continued
5 Read the following line from paragraph 9:
If you don't vote for Peter, the
city will not move forward
In this line, the author uses -
A Faulty cause and effect
B Circular reasoning
C Over generalization
D Either/or thinking
6 Sentences 3 through 5 in paragraph 1 represents the use of selected evidence. Why
is this considered selected evidence?
A Peter Rathman had nothing to do with any of these improvements.
B Just because Peter was in office, it doesn't necessarily mean he contributed to
these improvements.
C The author talks about city wide improvements and Peter only had an impact on
District 3.
D Peter wasn't in office long enough for all of these things to have happened.
7 Paragraph 6 contains two persuasive techniques. Which two are used in this
paragraph?
A Selected evidence and either/or thinking
B Circular reasoning and faulty cause and effect
C Faulty cause and effect and over generalization
D Over generalization and selected evidence
8 Why can the last line of the article be viewed as faulty cause and effect?
A It exaggerates Peter's potential impact on the city
B It states that Peter is the only one who can improve the city
C It doesn't state that other offices are also up for election
D It doesn't take into consideration that others besides the mayor have a say in all
the areas listed.
© 2014 TripleNterprises Educational Publishing
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STAAR Practice 23 continued
9 Which technique does the author use in the last two sentences of paragraph 7?
A Selected evidence
B Over generalization
C Faulty cause and effect
D Either/or thinking
10 Which important point does the author fail to make throughout the entire passage?
A Use Peter's name consistently throughout the passage
B State Peter's impact on sanitation
C Prove Peter's involvement and impact on all the improvements made
D Prove that Peter will stay in the city.
© 2014 TripleNterprises Educational Publishing
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