Exploros | Reading Argumentative Text

Reading Argumentative Text

Students learn the elements of an argumentative text and identify them in a short comic strip. Next, they explore the connection between knowing a text’s audience and reading argumentative text. Then they read an argumentative passage and identify the audience, claim, and reasons and evidence. Finally, they consider whether the argument in the passage they read is convincing.

This learning experience is designed for device-enabled classrooms. The teacher guides the lesson, and students use embedded resources, social media skills, and critical thinking skills to actively participate. To get access to a free version of the complete lesson, sign up for an exploros account.

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Overview

In this experience, students learn the elements of an argumentative text and identify them in a short comic strip. Next, they explore the connection between knowing a text’s audience and reading argumentative text. Then they read an argumentative passage and identify the audience, claim, and reasons and evidence. Finally, they consider whether the argument in the passage they read is convincing.

Objectives

Identify the elements of an argumentative text.
Explain the claim and supporting evidence in an argumentative text.
Identify the audience for an argumentative text.

Duration

One class period.

When you turn on the TV, you might see an ad that shows you a gooey slice of pizza. Suddenly you feel hungry. Or maybe you read a short article about why people should not buy new bikes when there are used ones available in good condition. You decide that the next time you buy a bike, it will be a used one.

Media sends a message. Often, that message is that you should feel or act in a certain way. In a way, media is arguing with you. In this experience, you will find out more about how to read argumentative texts.

Objectives

Identify the elements of an argumentative text.
Explain the claim and supporting evidence in an argumentative text.
Identify the audience for an argumentative text.

Think about the last commercial or advertisement you saw. What was the ad trying to get you to do? How did the author of the ad try to persuade you to buy the product or act in a certain way?

Briefly describe the most recent ad you saw. Then describe how the advertiser tried to persuade you.

Discuss student responses. Encourage students to share the different techniques used by advertisers—powerful language, attractive images, compelling arguments, etc.

Advertisements are similar to certain types of written texts because the advertisers or authors want to persuade you to agree with them. In this experience, you will learn how to read argumentative texts carefully.

When everyone is ready to continue, unlock the next scene.