Missy Sorhirun
Grade 10
/How Are We Persuaded?
In the third quarter in ELA, I have learned how to create my own persuasive texts. For example, I compared Peter Gray’s “The Decline of Play” TedTalk presentation to Anna Quindlen’s article, “Doing Nothing is Something,” in order to write a position essay on the need for children to have free time. Through this activity, I learned that writers can persuade their audience in many different ways, even if they may be talking about the same subject. Another assignment that my class did was an online discussion posting on genetically modified pets. I learned how to formulate constructive peer feedback in digital spaces. Lastly, we learned and gained knowledge on how to create a persuasive story. As a conclusion, I created my own persuasive story about the dangers of heat stroke caused by leaving children locked inside cars. I used the story of a real event, facts about heat stroke and my own opinions to convince my audience that we must resolve this deadly situation.
Overview
Persuade using Stories:
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Know your message
Consider what you want others to do and why you want them to do it.
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Find the right example
Look at what people are doing around you that relates to your story.
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Weave your narrative
Describe the situation; talk about what happened; close with a benefits pitch. Follow strong story structure.
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Convey passion
Do this through your choice of words- ones that draw pictures. If speaking, do it through your delivery- raising your voice on a key point, pausing for emphasis.
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Support with facts
Decide where to include these.
Identify Persuasive Techniques & Analyze Argument:
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Syntax: arrangement of words in a sentence (repetition, parallelism)
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Diction: choice of words (strong connotations)
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Tone: speaker’s attitude toward the subject
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Voice: the way a speaker uses language to allow readers to “hear” a personality
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Imagery: recreate sensory experiences for readers
Skills
OVERVIEW OF 3RD QUARTER:
For the overview of this quarter, I have concluded that my understanding and my feedback for similarities between two different persuasive pieces are my strength. By working with many form of persuasive writings and presentation, I find it rather easy to give my opinion and explain my reasoning. For example, we did the online discussion posting on genetically modified pets. I enjoy giving my opinion and seeing my classmate’s reply to my comment. In addition on learning how to give my opinion, I also learned that not everyone thinks the same for a particular subject. After what I have learned, creating my own persuasive story is my struggle. I find it difficult to create something out of thin air. But I can improve by reading more. Reading inspires me to write better becuase I get to experience different ways that authors would put words into a sentence.
Reflection on Standards
ASSESSMENT & MAP:
The assessment test is when each grade is assigned a topic to write. For the beginning of the year assessment test taken in September, I have gotten an overall of 3. My weakness was organizing. For example, I lacked some balance in the order of logic and I had a thin conclusion. Again for the final assessment test, taken in January, I got an overall of 3. I have improved on on balancing the order of my logic but I still struggled on creating a good conclusion. I can improve myself by reading more. I think that reading is a way to improve on your writing skills. Also, I took the MAP test and got the score of 230.