Web viewMichigan Gave State Employees Purified Water as It Denied Crisis, Emails Show - by Liam...

Name:____________________

Persuasive Writing End-of-Unit LetterTask: You will write a persuasive letter to Michigan’s Governor Rick Snyder about the Flint Water Crisis.

Purpose: The purpose of this letter is to show understanding of topics of oppression, implicit bias, and persuasive techniques.

Letter prompt: You will use evidence from class texts and rhetorical appeals (Ethos, Pathos, Logos) to persuade Governor Rick Snyder that what he and his government officials did to the citizens of Flint was oppressive and was caused by their implicit biases about race and privilege. You must also purpose solutions to how he can right his wrongs in Flint.

Materials you can use for evidence to support arguments: You must include a MINIMUM of three pieces of evidence in your letter. One should support how the Governor was oppressive, one on how implicit bias played a role, and one that addresses solutions that must be taken to fix the problem.

- A Toxic Timeline of Flint’s Water Fiasco- by Julia Lurie- What It’s Like to Live in Flint, Michigan- by Ryan Garza- The Forgotten Victims Of The Flint Water Crisis- by Erica Hellerstein- Michigan Gave State Employees Purified Water as It Denied Crisis, Emails Show- by

Liam Stack- Kaffer: It’s time to speak up about racism in Flint water crisis- by Nancy Kaffer - Synder: I’m not concerned about being charged over Flint Water Crisis- by Paul

Egan - Meet the Mom Who Helped Expose Flint’s Toxic Water Nightmare by Julia Lurie

Brainstorm

Collecting Evidence

Write and Revise Context

for Evidence

Write and Revise

Summary of

Evidence

Write and Revise

Analysis of Evidence

Write and Revise Topic

Sentences

Write and Revise a Thesis

StatementCompile Essay

Our Writing

Essay Prompt BrainstormingDirections: Use the space below to brainstorm ideas in response to the essay prompt.

Things Rick Snyder and government officials did that was oppressive:

Implicit bias is:_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

How implicit bias influenced what happened in Flint.

Possible solutions you can offer the Governor to right his wrongs.

2

Textual Evidence Directions: Find quotes from class texts and materials that support the ideas you wrote down for each brainstorming box. Don’t forget to include the article in which you found the evidence. You must have a piece of evidence from the texts we read in class that addresses each part of the prompt. (oppression, implicit bias, & solutions)Prompt: Persuade Governor Rick Snyder, using rhetorical appeals, that what he and his government officials did to the citizens of Flint was oppressive and was caused by their implicit biases about race and privilege. Purpose possible solutions to how he can right his wrongs in Flint.OPPRESSIONCitation(s) #1 from source title:________________________________________________________ (can use more than one quote from source)

IMPLICIT BIASCitation(s) #2 from source title:________________________________________________________ (can use more than one quote from source)

SOLUTIONSCitation(s) #3 from source title:________________________________________________________ (can use more than one

3

quote from source)

Writing Context for Your EvidenceBackground: You have now collected pieces of evidence that you could use to defend the ideas you want to convey in your essay. Your next step is to write clear context for each piece of evidence. Task: For each piece of evidence, you must set the stage for the reader to introduce the quote. Use the spaces below to draft out clear context. On the right, write down the evidence you chose for each part of the essay prompt. On the left, draft out the context you would like to use to introduce the quote. Use all the extra space to rewrite ideas when you need to. Purpose: Clear context help the reader understand what’s happening in the story before the evidence is introduced. Sentence Starters:In , discusses . title speaker or author (clarify any vague pronouns in quote)__________________ states, “ INSERT QUOTE.” (author last name, pg#) Speaker or author last name (depends who said quote)

Example:Prompt: How do Junior and Sherman Alexie view reservation life in the book The Absolute True Diary of a Part-Time Indian? (THIS IS JUST AN EXAMPLE OF HOW TO COMPLETE THE CHART! THIS IS NOT YOUR PROMPT! DO NOT WRITE FIND EVIDENCE OR WRITE A PAPER ON PART-TIME INDIAN)

Left Side -Context for textual evidence

In The Absolute True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, Sherman Alexie discusses the hardships Junior had to face living

Right Side -Textual evidence (cited properly)

Junior states, “We only know how to lose and be lost” (Alexie, 32). 4

Write the context for your quote/evidence on the left side of the chart. Correctly punctuate and rewrite the textual evidence you plan to use and cite it (author, title of article) on the right side of the chart.

**Think about: What does Governor Snyder need to know about the evidence you are about to provide in order for it to be effective in your persuasive argument?**

LEFT SIDEContext for Textual Evidence

RIGHT SIDEIntro to evidence, evidence, &

citation

Cita

tion

#1(

OPP

RESS

ION

)

5

Cita

tion

#2

(IM

PLIC

IT B

IAS)

Cita

tion

#3

(SO

LUTI

ON

S)

Writing a Summary of Your EvidenceBackground: You have now collected pieces of evidence that you could use to defend the ideas you want to convey in your essay. You’ve also written clear context that you could use to introduce your summary. Task: For each piece of evidence, write summary statement that explains to your reader what is happening in this quote. Use the spaces below to draft out clear summaries. First, write down the evidence you chose for each part of the essay prompt. Then, draft out a summary to explain the quote in your own words. Purpose: A clear summary clarifies the meaning of the quote for the reader.

What makes a good summary: Possible Sentence Starters:6

Your summary needs a subject doing something.**Ask yourself: Who is doing what?

In other words… Essentially… That is to say… This statement indicates…Note: Try using a different sentence starter for each new quote.

EXAMPLE Prompt: How do Junior and Sherman Alexie view reservation life in the book The Absolute True Diary of a Part-Time Indian?

Citation #1-with context, intro to evidence, and citation

In The Absolute True Diary of a Part-Time Indian,” Sherman Alexie discusses the hardships Junior had to face living on the reservation. Alexie states, “We only know how to lose and be lost” (Alexie, 32).Summary of Quote Brainstorming- ideas you want to include in your summary-Junior is the speaker-Junior expresses his frustration with reservation life-Junior feels that his community only knows how to lose valuable things necessary for life and because of that, life on the reservation seems pointless.

Complete Summary

In the following quote, Junior is expressing his frustration with his life on the reservation. Junior feels that reservation life sets up those who live there for a life of failure and loss, and that the constant losing of valuable things necessary for a successful life makes living on the reservation seem sad and pointless, with little opportunity to have a worthwhile life.

Follow the example above to correctly summarize the evidence you are using to support your persuasive arguments on how Rick Snyder and his government officials’ actions were oppressive and a result of their implicit biases. Offer solutions so that he can right the wrong he has done in Flint. OPPRESSION- Citation #1-with context, intro to evidence, and citation

7

Summary of Quote Brainstorming- ideas you want to include in your summary

Complete Summary

IMPLICIT BIAS-Citation #2-with context, intro to evidence, and citation


8

Complete Summary

SOLUTIONS-Citation #3-with context, intro to evidence, and citation


Complete Summary

9

Writing an Analysis of Your EvidenceBackground: You’ve been working on properly incorporating evidence into your essay. It’s time to dig beneath the surface of the quote and spend time analyzing its significance. Task: For each piece of evidence, write an analysis of the quote by consider its importance and considering its word choice. Use the spaces below to draft out strong analysis. First, write down the evidence you chose for each part of the essay prompt. Then, draft out your in-depth analysis of the quote. Revise your original analysis to make it clear. Purpose: Analysis is used to connect the evidence of your essay to the main points you’re trying to make.

Strong Analysis has two components: Analysis Part 1

(BOX 1)Close read the quote.

Analysis Part 2(BOX 2)

Make inferences about the significance of the quote.

Choose specific words that are significant – these words should be the foundation of your analysis.

How do these words emphasize/prove the persuasive argument you are trying to make?

What can you infer about how this quote answers the prompt?

How does this quote prove your topic sentence?

Sentence Starters:o The use of the word (or

phrase) __________ suggests…

o The use of the word (or phrase) __________ connotes…

Sentence Starters:o This is significant because…o This speaks to

_______________(the part of the key questions it’s answering) because…

o From this evident individuals can conclude that…

What to avoid: This connects to the key question because…

10

** LOOK AT THE EXAMPLES WE COMPLETED IN CLASS AS OTHER EXEMPLARS TO FOLLOW!! **

EXAMPLE- Prompt: How do Junior and Sherman Alexie view reservation life in the book The Absolute True Diary of a Part-Time Indian?

Citation

In The Absolute True Diary of a Part-Time Indian,” Sherman Alexie discusses the hardships Junior had to face living on the reservation. Alexie states, “We only know how to lose and be lost” (Alexie, 32).

Analysis Part 1 BOX 1

Revised Analysis Part 1 BOX 1

-Junior uses “we” to refer to himself and the other residents living on the reservation-Definition of lost- 1. unable to find one's way, or 2. something that has been taken away or cannot be recovered

-Definition of lose- 1. To be lack of or end to owning something, or 2. become unable to find

-Repetition of present and past form of the word lose

-Junior’s tone is unhopeful & defeated

The use of the pronoun “we” refers to a collective group. Junior is referring to himself, his family, and all of the other Indian members of his community when he states “we.” “Lost” is defined as “something that has been taken away or cannot be recovered, or the inability to find one’s way” (dictionary.com). The definition of the word “lose” is “the ending of owning something, or becoming unable to find” (dictionary.com). Alexie repeats the present and past form of the verb “to lose” to enforce the significance of idea of misplacement and give a tone of hopelessness and vanished opportunities.

Analysis Part 2 BOX 2

Revised Analysis Part 2 BOX 2

- life on the reservation is consistently unhopeful and wasteful. Paints negative view of Rez life.

-Repetition of present and past form of the word lose emphasize theme of a

Through Junior’s statement Alexie speaks to the negative affect of reservation life on himself and the members of his community. Alexie’s repetition of the present and past form of the verb “to lose” emphasizes the

11

departed (synonym for lose/lost) dreams, goals, opportunity

-Junior’s tone is makes the reader feel Junior’s hopelessness, and suggest that change is not a possibility on the Rez

-Living on the Rez means repeatedly learning to accept dreams and goals as a thing of the past, because all anyone knows how to do is lose them and it is a vicious repetitive cycle.

-Through everyone failing at bettering themselves, Rez life is one where dreams and goals are lost and a better life is unattainable

idea that Junior feels that he and his community continuously live in an environment of misplaced and wasted dreams. To state that these goals and opportunities have been lost, suggests that they were once there, but now are a thing of the past. No one on the Rez is able to find the dreams and aspirations they once might have had. This creates an environment of hopelessness that is unchangeable because it is the only way the community knows how to live. Rez life is a vicious and defeating cycle of neglected potential that has beaten down the community into a life of repeated failures. Junior sees this as something that is unchangeable, because it is the only thing his community knows how to do. Through Junior, Alexie paints reservation life as a repetitive miserable existence of repeated unachieved success.

Follow the example above to analyze the evidence you are using to support your persuasive arguments on how Rick Snyder and his government officials’ actions were oppressive and a result of their implicit biases. Offer solutions or suggestions on how he can make this situation better. OPPRESSION-Citation(s) #1- from source titled:

Notes/words to focus on in Analysis Part 1

Written (in sentence form) Analysis Part 1

12



13

14

IMPLICIT BIAS- Citation(s) #2- from source titled:





15

SOLUTIONS-Citation(s) #3- from source titled:





Writing Topic Sentences For Your LetterBackground: You’ve spent some time writing and revising all of the components of strong evidence. Now it’s time to come up with topic sentences for your body paragraphs. Task: Neatly write down all the components for your three pieces of evidence and determine how to write a strong topic sentence to go with each piece of evidence. Purpose: Once you have your topic sentences you’ll have everything you need to compile your body paragraphs.

The 3 topics you are discussing are oppression, implicit bias, and solutions. Each topic should be its own body paragraph in your letter. Create an individual topic sentence for each of these topics.

EXAMPLE- Prompt: How do Junior and Sherman Alexie view reservation life in the book The Absolute True Diary of a Part-Time Indian?

Body Paragra

ph 1

Topic Sentence Stem #1:

Through Junior, Sherman Alexie depicts reservation life as an environment filled with lost dreams and wasted potential.

Body Paragra

ph 2

Topic Sentence Stem #2: (2 SENTENCE TOPIC/INTRODUCTION STATEMENT)

Sherman Alexie shows the difficultly of overcoming reservation life challenges to make a better life for oneself through Junior’s experiences both in and outside the reservation. Through Junior’s experiences, readers view reservation life as a place that is grim and destined for failure.

Body Paragra

ph 3

Topic Sentence Stem #3: (2 SENTENCE TOPIC/INTRODUCTION STATEMENT)

For Junior, reservation life is filled with poverty, limited opportunities, and abuse in many forms. Sherman Alexie paints reservation life in a negative light for those that live there.

16

The 3 topics you are discussing are oppression, implicit bias, and solutions. Each topic should be its own body paragraph in your letter. Create an individual topic sentence for each of these topics. Prompt: Persuade Governor Rick Snyder, using rhetorical appeals, that what he and his government officials did to the citizens of Flint was oppressive and was caused by their implicit biases about race and privilege. Purpose possible solutions to how he can right his wrongs in Flint.

Body Paragrap

h 1

(oppression)

Topic Sentence Stem #1 (based on evidence/quotes your are using from source 1)

Body Paragrap

h 2

(influence of

implicit biases)

Topic Sentence Stem #2: (based on evidence/quotes your are using from source 2)

17

Body Paragrap

h 3

(solutions)

Topic Sentence Stem #3: (based on evidence/quotes your are using from source 3)

Drafting a Thesis Statement/Intro ParagraphBackground: You’re almost done drafting your letter. It’s time to write the thesis statement that will introduce the argument you’re trying to make throughout your letter. Task: Use your topic sentences and evidence to draft a thesis statement/introduction paragraph. Purpose: The thesis statement/intro paragraph expresses the main point of your letter and informs your reader what you will be arguing in your letter. Your thesis statement should include a 3-part list (separated by commas) that addresses each topic you will discuss in each body paragraph. Look back to your 3 topic sentences for each body paragraph. Use your 3 topic sentences to create a sentence or two that combines all 3 these topics.

Review of topic sentence from example

Body Paragra

ph 1

Topic Sentence Stem #1: Through Junior, Sherman Alexie depicts reservation life as an environment filled with lost dreams and wasted potential.

Summary: Rez life depicted as a place that constantly represents wasted potential.

Body Paragra

ph 2

Topic Sentence Stem #2: (2 SENTENCE TOPIC/INTRODUCTION STATEMENT) Sherman Alexie shows the difficultly of overcoming reservation life challenges to make a better life for oneself through Junior’s

18

experiences both in and outside the reservation. Through Junior’s experiences, readers view reservation life as a place that is grim and destined for failure.

Summary: Rez life is sad and destined for failure.

Body Paragra

ph 3

Topic Sentence Stem #3: (2 SENTENCE TOPIC/INTRODUCTION STATEMENT) For Junior, reservation life is filled with poverty, limited opportunities, and abuse in many forms. Sherman Alexie paints reservation life in a negative light for those that live there.

Summary: Rez life is filled with many issues that contribute to the lack of opportunity and success.

Example thesis statement for this essay (can be 2 sentences if needed):Sherman Alexie negatively illustrates the destructive and unpromising lifestyle of

reservation life from the point of view of a Spokane Indian teenager named Arnold Spirit, also known as Junior, in the novel The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. Through Junior’s experiences, Alexie depicts a life filled with wasted potential, abuse, and little to no opportunities to escape the vicious cycle of a failed life.

19

Follow the example above to create a thesis statement that combines your themes in your body paragraphs. arguments on the letter prompt.Prompt: Persuade Governor Rick Snyder, using rhetorical appeals, that what he and his government officials did to the citizens of Flint was oppressive and was caused by their implicit biases about race and privilege. Purpose possible solutions to how he can right his wrongs in Flint.

Body Paragrap

h 1

Summary of your topic sentence from body paragraph 1

Body Paragrap

h 2


Body Paragrap

h 3


WORKING THESIS STATEMENT/INTRODUCTION PARAGRAPHCombine these main ideas into a sentence or 2 that gives the 3 main topics you will discuss in your essay.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Rhetorical AppealsYou will be graded on your use of rhetorical appeals throughout your letter. You may have to do this separately than just with your evidence and analysis. Fill out the chart below of how you have or plan to include usage of ETHOS, PATHOS, & LOGOS. You will receive extra credit if you include examples of rhetorical devices we have covered in class (simile, metaphor, allusion, repetition, rhetorical questions), although it is not require.

Rhetorical Appeals

How these appeals are used in my letter

ETHOS

(credibility & trustworthiness)

PATHOS

20

(emotions)

LOGOS

(facts & logic)

OPTIONAL: EXTRA CREDIT- USE OF RHETORICAL DEVICES (simile, metaphor, allusion, repetition, rhetorical questions)

Plan for usageName of rhetorical device I plan to use

How I will use it in my letter- write exactly what you will put into your final draft.

21

Web viewMichigan Gave State Employees Purified Water as It Denied Crisis, Emails Show - by Liam...

Documents

Transcript of Web viewMichigan Gave State Employees Purified Water as It Denied Crisis, Emails Show - by Liam...