READING FOR THE STATE ASSESSMENT

On the end of year assessment for English Language Arts, you will be asked to read several different passages and answer questions based on those passages. The following units will review some of types of texts you will be asked to read and some of the types of questions you will be asked to answer.

Argumentative Texts
*Download the attached pdf to take notes during the lesson.

An argumentative text is a writing piece meant to persuade someone to think the way the author does.
The first and most important element in an argumentative text is the claim. In rhetoric and argumentation, a claim is an arguable statement—an idea that the author asks an audience to accept. In an argumentative text, the claim is the central idea.
The author will develop his or her claim with a series of reasons and evidence. Reasons are more specific statements that support the overall claim. Evidence is a series facts, examples, statistics, and quotes that support the reasons and ultimately the claim.

Now that you understand how to approach a passage, read the following Argumentative Article: Want to Get Into College? Learn to Fail

REMEMBER: The claim is an arguable statement—an idea that the author asks an audience to accept. The author develops the claim with reasons and supporting details such as facts, reasons, examples, statistics, and quotations.

Remember: The author will develop his or her claim with a series of reasons and evidence. Reasons are more specific statements that support the overall claim. Evidence is a series facts, examples, statistics, and quotes that support the reasons and ultimately the claim.

Click here for more practice reading and answering questions based on an Argumentative Text.