Authentic persuasive writing to promote summer reading

English Language Arts (2004)

Grade 6

• Goal 2: The learner will explore and analyze information from a variety of sources.
  • Objective 2.01: Explore informational materials that are read, heard, and/or viewed by:
    • monitoring comprehension for understand of what is read, heard, and/or viewed.
    • studying the characteristics of informational works.
    • restating and summarizing information.
    • determining the importance and accuracy of information.
    • making connections between works, self and related topics/information.
    • comparing and/or contrasting information.
    • drawing inferences and/or conclusions.
    • generating questions.
  • Objective 2.02: Use multiple sources of print and non-print information in developing informational materials such as brochures, newsletters, and infomercials by:
    • exploring a variety of sources from which information may be attained (e.g., books, Internet, electronic databases, CD-ROM).
    • distinguishing between primary and secondary sources.
    • analyzing the effects of the presentation and/or accuracy of information.
• Goal 3: The learner will examine the foundations of argument.
  • Objective 3.01: Explore argumentative works that are read, heard, and/or viewed by:
    • monitoring comprehension for understanding what is read, heard, and/or viewed.
    • analyzing the characteristics of argumentative works.
    • determining the importance of author's word choice and focus.
    • summarizing the author's purpose and stance.
    • making connections between works, self and related topics.
    • drawing inferences.
    • responding to public documents (such as but not limited to editorials and school and community policies).
    • distinguishing between fact and opinion.

Grade 7

• Goal 2: The learner will synthesize and use information from a variety of sources.
  • Objective 2.01: Respond to informational materials that are read, heard, and/or viewed by:
    • monitoring comprehension for understanding of what is read, heard and/or viewed.
    • analyzing the characteristics of informational works.
    • summarizing information.
    • determining the importance of information.
    • making connections to related topics/information.
    • drawing inferences and/or conclusions.
    • generating questions.
  • Objective 2.02: Use multiple sources of print and non-print information in designing and developing informational materials (such as brochures, newsletters and informercials) through:
    • identifying and using appropriate primary and secondary sources.
    • comparing, contrasting, and evaluating information from different sources about the same topic.
    • evaluating information for extraneous details, inconsistencies, relevant facts, and organization.
• Goal 3: The learner will refine the understanding and use of argument.
  • Objective 3.01: Analyze a variety of public documents that establish a position or point of view by:
    • monitoring comprehension for understanding of what is read, heard and /or viewed.
    • identifying the arguments and positions stated or implied and the evidence used to support them.
    • recognizing bias, emotional factors, and/or semantic slanting.
    • examining the effectiveness of style, tone, and use of language.
    • summarizing the author's purpose and stance.
    • examining the importance and impact of establishing a position or point-of-view.
    • making connections between works, self and related topics.
    • drawing inferences.
    • responding to public documents (such as but not limited to editorials, reviews, local/state/national policies/issues).

Grade 8

• Goal 2: The learner will use and evaluate information from a variety of sources.
  • Objective 2.01: Analyze and evaluate informational materials that are read, heard, and/or viewed by:
    • monitoring comprehension for understanding of what is read, heard and/or viewed.
    • recognizing the characteristics of informational materials.
    • summarizing information.
    • determining the importance of information.
    • making connections to related topics/information.
    • drawing inferences.
    • generating questions.
    • extending ideas.
  • Objective 2.02: Use multiple sources of print and non-print information to explore and create research products in both written and presentational forms by:
    • determining purpose, audience, and context.
    • understnaing the focus.
    • recognizing and/or choosing a relevant topic.
    • recognizing and/or selecting presentational format (e.g., video, essay, interactive technology) appropriate to audience.
    • evaluating information for extraneous detail, inconsistencies, relevant facts, and organization.
    • researching and organizing information to achieve purpose.
    • using notes and/or memory aids to structure information.
    • supporting ideas with examples, definitions, analogies, and direct references to primary and secondary sources.
    • noting and/or citing sources used.
    • recognizing the use of and/or employing graphics such as charts, diagrams,and graphs to enhance the communication of information.
• Goal 3: The learner will continue to refine the understanding and use of argument.
  • Objective 3.01: Explore and evaluate argumentative works that are read, heard and/or viewed by:
    • monitoring comprehension for understanding of what is read, heard and/or viewed.
    • analyzing the work by identifying the arguments and positions stated or implied and the evidence used to support them.
    • identifying the social context of the argument.
    • recognizing the effects of bias, emotional factors, and/or semantic slanting.
    • comparing the argument and counter-argument presented.
    • identifying/evaluating the effectiveness of tone, style, and use of language.
    • evaluating the author's purpose and stance
    • making connections between works, self and related topics.
    • responding to public documents (such as but not limited to editorials, reviews, local, state, and national policies/issues including those with a historical context).