Research Simulation Task- Persuasive Writing

Step 1: Read through the question carefully. Make sure to decipher if the question is asking you to: Convey an opinion Convey information/research objectively

Identify the Task: Eric Schlosser discussed how the fast food industry has changed America in his book Chew on This. Our country has quickly developed in other areas as well. More specifically, technological advances have changed the way we think, act, behave, process, socialize, etc. Many writers and speakers have voiced their opinions on this matter. Some believe technology has made us a faster and more connected civilization. Others believe that technology has made us a robotic and lonely society. As you review these sources, think about what persuasive techniques the authors use to convince you about the issue. These sources provide information to begin drafting your own argument. How can an author use various persuasive techniques to present the most convincing and compelling argument? Use what you have learned and observed by reading the provided articles to write an essay that analyzes how the sources treat the issue of language. Develop your essay by providing textual evidence from at least three selected sources. Be sure to follow the conventions of Standard English.

Sources: Source A: “Social Media as Community” – Keith Hampton (article) Source B: “Attached to Technology and Paying a Price” – Matt Richtel (article) Source C: “The Curly Fry Conundrum: Why Social Media ‘Likes’ Say More than You Might Think” (video) Source D: “Connected, but Alone” (video)

Step 2: In the upper right-hand corner of your paper, simplify what the question is asking you to do. Put the question in your own words.

Student Samples: How does an author use persuasive techniques to persuade the reader as much as possible? How can an author use various persuasive techniques to create the greatest argument? How does an author use compelling and persuasive language to convince the reader to feel a specific way about a topic?

Step 3: Circle the minimum amount of sources that need to be addressed. You must use at least three of the four provided sources.

Step 4: Take notes/annotate ideas with each source. Determine the source’s main points. Underline/take notes actively.

Reminders: In this essay, your personal opinion on this topic is not relevant. Your focus in this paper is to indicate which sources are the most persuasive and HOW.

What to Take Notes On: Persuasive techniques the writer or speaker uses to argue his/her point of view to present the most convincing, and compelling argument. Do NOT focus on what he/she says; focus on HOW he/she says it.

Step 5: After you’ve addressed and highlighted the main point of the source, make separate notes on the reliability of these sources. Is the source reliable in general? Is it slanted in any way? Do logical “holes in the argument” exist? What persuasive techniques are being utilized?

Step 6: After taking notes on ALL sources, determine which three you are most comfortable with, and put a star (*) in the upper right-hand corner of each source that you will use in your essay.

Step 7: Copy notes into your source chart to help with your writing.

TOPIC: How can an author use various persuasive techniques to present the most convincing and compelling argument? Thesis Statement: Source ASource BSource CSource D “Social Media as Community” (article) “Attached to Technology and Paying a Price” (article) “The Curly Fry Conundrum” (video) “Connected, but Alone” (video) Exactly how do the sources talk with each other?

Step 8: Begin analyzing the relationship between the sources. Do they use the same type of persuasive techniques? Do they use different persuasive techniques? Use your source-relationship chart to begin thinking about how you will have your sources begin conversing with one another.

Source AHow does Source A interact with Source ______? Source ______ How does Source ____ interact with Source ______? Source ______ Source _______How does Source _____ interact with Source ______? Source ______

Prewriting Organizer Persuasive Techniques Source ____________________Source _____________________Source ______________________ Persuasive Technique: Quote: Persuasive Technique: Quote: Persuasive Technique: Quote: Persuasive Technique: Quote: Persuasive Technique: Quote: Persuasive Technique: Quote: Thesis Statement: