perusasive paragraph:
a paragraph which attempts, in an organized and logical way, to get the reader to agree with opinion of the writer (which tries to ‘persuade’ by using an ‘argument’ )
unprovoked:
if an action is ‘unprovoked’ it is done for no reason (from the verb ‘provoke’ meaning ‘to give someone a reason for doing something violent or angry’)
charge with a crime:
what the police do when they arrest someone and tell them, officially, why
pit bull:
fierce dog originally bred for fighting bulls in a pit
breed:
special type of domestic animal (farm animal or pet); from the verb ‘breed’ meaning ‘to encourage animals to produce more animals’
• writing activities for ‘Darlene Wagner’
1. writing
• instructions
- Write an persuasive paragraph on one of the topics listed below.
- Maximum length: 250 words. Maximum time: 40 minutes.
• topics:
a: a dog that makes an unprovoked attack on a human being in a public place should/should not be killed
b: the owner of a dog that attacks a letter carrier should/should not be charged with a crime
c: people should/should not be allowed to own pit bulls or other breeds of dog known to be dangerous
2. correction
• form groups of three (or four)
• exchange paragraphs with your partner(s)
• silently check your partners' papers for errors
3. discussion
• choose one paragraph from your group for reading to another group
• send the author of the chosen paragraph to another group and invite that group to send someone to your group
• listen while your guest reads his or her paragraph aloud
• if your guest’s pronunciation or grammar causes confusion, interrupt and ask for clarification
• when your guest has finished reading, summarize his or her paragraph to make sure it has been fully understood
• discuss with your guest the content of his or her paragraph