Argumentative Unit Vocabulary Pre-Assessment

The purpose of argumentative writing is to ________.

• inform the reader about a topic

• defend a position (for or against) on a topic

• entertain the reader

• tell a story

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.8

CCSS.W.8.1A

CCSS.W.8.1B

CCSS.W.8.1E

Match each term to its definition. Use the context clues in the sentence to help you.

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• An attitude toward a particular issue

• 
• Taking a stand on an issue

• 
• Statement of one's position on an issue

• 
• An idea on which an argument is based

• 
• Reasons given to persuade others

• 

Tags

CCSS.L.8.4A

CCSS.RI.8.4

Match each term to its definition. Use the context clues in the sentence to help you.

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• Reasons why the counterargument is wrong

• 
• Information used to support an argument

• 
• An opposing viewpoint (the opposition)

• 
• To say or prove a person is wrong

• 

Tags

CCSS.L.8.4A

CCSS.RI.8.4

What is a thesis?

• The main idea of a paragraph.

• The 1st sentence in an essay.

• The controlling idea that the whole text is about.

• A reason to agree with the author.

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.2

The group of people who will be reading a piece of writing is called the __________.

• Author

• Audience

• Readers

• Peers

The group of people an author expects will be reading his or her writing is called _________.

• Intended Audience

• Friendly Audience

• Peer Group

• Teachers

Tags

CCSS.W.8.4

CCSS.W.8.5

What is the MOST LIKELY intended audience for the article in the description?

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READ THE CORRECT ANSWER EXPLANATION!

• Students & staff who care about healthy diet

• The college's president, who can make the requested change

• Vegetarian students

• All students & staff at the college

Answer explanation

This answer is correct for several reasons. First, the college president is not likely to be the intended audience because the article asks readers to sign a petition. The college president doesn't need to sign a petition; he/she can just make the requested change. Second, vegetarian students are not the likely intended audience because the article explains how healthy a vegetarian diet is. This is something they would already know. Lastly, all students & staff are not likely to care about having healthy menu options on campus. Therefore, the correct answer is students & staff who DO care about healthy diet.

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RI.8.6

What is the MOST LIKELY intended audience for the article in the description?

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READ THE CORRECT ANSWER EXPLANATION!

• Athletes at this college

• All college athletes

• Students & staff who care about college athletes

• Sports fans

Answer explanation

This answer is correct because the article explains the many hours and hard work that prevent college athletes from holding a job. College athletes already know this and therefore don't need it explained to them. Additionally, the article is about a topic that's very specific to college athletes. This likely means it's not intended to reach an audience from the much broader category of "sports fan". Because it calls for readers to come to a rally, it's likely intended to reach all students and staff on campus who care about the college's athletes.

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.6

What is the MOST LIKELY intended audience for the article in the description?

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READ THE CORRECT ANSWER EXPLANATION!

• The college professor who was fired

• Students who attend the professor's classes

• Students who agree with the professor's controversial stand

• Students who care about free speech

Answer explanation

This answer is correct for several reasons. First, the professor who was fired and her students already know what happened in her classes. The article takes time to explain this, so it's not likely the author intended the audience to be limited to either the professor or her students. Second, while the article gives background information about the controversial issue, it doesn't try to convince the reader to agree with this issue. Therefore, the likely intended audience isn't students who agree with the professor's stand on the issue. The article DOES argue the professor's right to free speech. Therefore, the correct answer is students who care about free speech.

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.6

CCSS.W.8.4

TRUE OR FALSE: A rhetorical device is a writing tool used by authors to persuade their audience.

• True

• False