3.4 Using Quotations to Bolster an Argument

CONNECTION Reality make-over shows

INQUIRY Quotations can make a character come to life. They can also bring your view, your position, come to life. WHAT MAKES A QUOTATION POWERFUL???

TEACHING Scene to imagine: one witness to the fight on the playground. Here’s what she reports: Sarah was so brave just now! She heard a bully say to a second grader, “You nerd!” That bully was awful. So Sarah called out to the bully, “Stop picking on little kids, will you?” I called, “You go, girl!” to Sarah. (You gotta have your friends’ backs!) Someone else called, “Yes! Girl power!” I’m not sure who said that, but we were all cheering. Sarah went right up to the bully, and she said, “You don’t scare me! You’re just a bully.” he didn’t even argue! He took three steps back and then another two steps back! Then Sarah turned to the second graders and said, “We can’t let bullies rule.” They acted like she was their hero.

TEACHING Scene to imagine: one witness to the fight on the playground. Here’s what she reports: Sarah was so brave just now! She heard a bully say to a second grader, “You nerd!” That bully was awful. So Sarah called out to the bully, “Stop picking on little kids, will you?” I called, “You go, girl!” to Sarah. (You gotta have your friends’ backs!) Someone else called, “Yes! Girl power!” I’m not sure who said that, but we were all cheering. Sarah went right up to the bully, and she said, “You don’t scare me! You’re just a bully.” he didn’t even argue! He took three steps back and then another two steps back! Then Sarah turned to the second graders and said, “We can’t let bullies rule.” They acted like she was their hero. Turn and Talk: Where do you see quotations? What is the reporter doing with quotes that you could do? What makes certain quotations powerful?

What Makes a Quotation Powerful? Choose quotations that are surprising, even shocking, to spice things up.

What Makes a Quotation Powerful? Choose quotations that are surprising, even shocking, to spice things up. Choose quotations that are life lessons, especially if the words are just right. Explain what’s important about the quotation

HOW TO WRITE AN ARGUMENT Collect evidence that allows you to think through various sides of an argument Rehearse by explaining your position and listing your reasons point by point Plan your claim and reasons into boxes-and-bullets structure Use evidence to support your reason Paraphrase, putting things in your own words Quote, and then unpack the quote, showing how it relates to the claim.