Textbook: Elements of Literature Fourth Course
Name:
Period:
Date:
Notes from pp. 284-285 Informational Text: Evaluating Arguments: Pro and Con
I. “ Are You Convinced?”
A. Define argument:
B. List 2 examples of arguments listed on p. 284.
C. 1. What are the names for opposing arguments?
2. Which word means for something?
3. Which means against something?
4. What does credibility mean?
E. Why do you think it is important to have credibility in an argument?
1. “What’s the claim, or opinion?”
A. What is another word for claim?
B. How is a claim/opinion often stated? Write the word and the definition.
2. “What’s the support?”
A. What do you think it means to support a view?
B. Define the ways in which authors support their views.
C. What are logical appeals?
1. define reasons:
2. define evidence:
3. In what ways should evidence be related to the reason?
4. define facts (p. 295)
5. define statistics (p. 295)
6. define examples (p. 295)
7. define expert opinions (p. 295)
D. define emotional appeals.
1.define loaded language
2. define anecdotes
3. Is the evidence comprehensive?
A. What must an author provide to back up generalizations and to make an argument
convincing?
B. What has possibly occurred if an author’s argument is filled with emotional appeals but
no relevant evidence is presented?
4. What is the author’s intent?
A. What is an author’s intent?
B. Define bias.
C. Define prejudice, using a definition that fits the word’s usage on p. 285.
D. What is an author’s tone?
E. How does a writer create tone?
F. What does the passage mean when it states that tone can send up a red flag?
Elements of Literature Fourth Course
INFORMATIONAL TEXT/PERSUASIVE WRITING
Name:
Period:
Date:
A. Read pp. 286-289
B. Answer the “Reading Check” and Practice Test” questions on a piece of notebook paper.
C. “If Decency Doesn’t, Law Should Make Us Samaritans” pp. 286-287
Complete the following items:
1. According to the essay, France has a “Good Samaritan” law; however, this did not cause
the paparazzi to help the injured Princess Diana.
a. Do you think the anecdote in the first 2 paragraphs of the essay is an effective
beginning for an essay in favor of “Good Samaritan” laws?
b. Explain your answer.
2. List the loaded language – loaded words- that you find in the first two paragraphs of the
essay.
3. a. What tone does paragraph 4 have?
b. What phrases and sentences create the tone?
4. a. What is the author’s main generalization in paragraph 5?
b. Write the evidence that supports the generalization in paragraph 5.
5. a. What types of evidence have the authors used to support their argument in this
article?
b. Cite (give) examples of each type.
D. “Good Samaritans U.S.A. Are Afraid to Act” pp. 288 – 289
Complete the following items:
1. In your own words, explain the generalization the author makes in paragraph 3.
2. According to the text in paragraph 4, what does mandating mean?
3. a. What opinion is given in paragraph 7?
b. What two reasons has the writer previously given to support the opinion in paragraph 7?
4. a. Reread paragraph 8.
b. What does “Good-Sam” mean?
c. What does the phrase “‘they’re all over the place ” mean?
5. a. What 2 generalizations are in the last paragraph?
b. Cite evidence the writer has given in her article to support the generalizations made in
the last 2 paragraphs.