Secrets of a Slam Dunk Fail: Finding and Using Text Evidence

Imagine that you are writing a persuasive paragraph arguing that failure

is good for you. Which is the BEST topic sentence for your paragraph?

• During his NBA career, Michael Jordan missed more than 12,000 shots.

• Experiencing failure can help you succeed.

• You can’t avoid failure.

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Imagine that you are writing a persuasive paragraph arguing that failure

is good for you. Which information from the article BEST supports the topic sentence you chose in Question 1?

• A. “Being afraid to fail can also prevent you from developing grit—the strength of mind that allows you to persevere through difficulties. And according to research by psychologist Angela Duckworth, it’s grit—not talent or intellect—that is the most important factor when it comes to lifelong achievement.” (p. 13)

• B. “The fact is, failure is inevitable.” (p. 13)

• C. “Today he’s known as one of the greatest basketball players of all time.” (p. 12)

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Imagine that you are writing a persuasive paragraph arguing that failure

is good for you. Which of the following BEST explains why the text evidence you chose in Question 2 is relevant?

• A. It shows how failure helped Michael Jordan.

• B. It explains how failure can help you develop qualities that lead to achievement, which supports the idea that failure can help you succeed.

• C. It supports the idea that failure is unavoidable.

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Choose ONE piece of text evidence from the article that BEST supports the statement: 'Grit is a valuable quality.'

• A. 'In fact, these visionaries have their own name for grit.' (p. 13)

• B. 'And according to research by psychologist Angela Duckworth, it’s grit—not talent or intellect—that is the most important factor when it comes to lifelong achievement.' (p. 13)

• C. 'The trick is to look at your setbacks as opportunities to learn and grow.' (p. 13)

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Complete the sentence to explain your choice to Question 4: I chose _____ because ________________________________.

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Choose the paragraph that shows the BEST use of text evidence from the article, in the form of a direct quotation and/or paraphrased.

• Michael Jordan is an example of how failure—if dealt with in the right way—can lead to success. As author Jessica Press explains, Jordan did not make the varsity basketball team in high school, but instead of giving up, he worked harder (12). Press writes, 'The next year, he made varsity. Five years after that, he was playing in the NBA' (12). Clearly, Jordan did not let failure stop him. Instead, he used it to succeed.

• As author Jessica Press explains, Jordan did not make the varsity basketball team in high school, but instead of giving up, he worked harder (12). 'The next year, he made varsity. Five years after that, he was playing in the NBA' (12). Clearly, Jordan did not let failure stop him. Instead, he used it to succeed.

• Michael Jordan is an example of how failure—if dealt with in the right way—can lead to success. Jordan did not make the varsity basketball team in high school, but instead of giving up, he worked harder (12). 'The next year, he made varsity. Five years after that, he was playing in the NBA' (12).

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Explain why the two answers you did NOT choose for Question 6 are NOT good examples of using text evidence.

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What is one of the elements that should be included in a paragraph explaining why failure is necessary?

• A topic sentence

• A conclusion

• A question

• A summary

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Fill in the blank: A paragraph explaining why failure is necessary should include at least one piece of text evidence in the form of a ________.

• A) summary

• B) direct quotation

• C) question

• D) hypothesis

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