For the Purpose of Persuading...

Flashing back to last week, we discussed Anna Quindlen’s “Melting Pot.” We talked a lot about prejudice and cultural differences. I raised the question, “What is more important, our similarities or our differences?” This is the question I want you to think about for this week’s blog post!

But first, consider this:

It seems that much of what we do in life has a purpose. Think about it! You go to school to learn, you brush your teeth to prevent cavities, and you eat to fulfill hunger…  Well authors also WRITE with a purpose too!

In fact, you have a PURPOSE for writing this week’s blogpost; and the purpose isn’t just to get your homework assignment done!  (HA) Your purpose for writing this blogpost is to PERSUADE your audience.

With a blog post of at least 8 sentences or more, I want you to PERSUADE or convince readers that our similarities are more important than our differences OR our differences are more important than our similarities (whichever you choose to argue).

Support your argument. Why do YOU think similarities more important? Or why do YOU think differences are more important? Why should readers agree with YOU? Give an example or two. Write so that others will understand your point of view and be persuaded by it! 

Your post is due no later than Friday, October 5th at 5pm!

Nonfiction!

"The Fall of the Hindenburg" is a nonfiction piece that we will be reading this week. Nonfiction (NOT FAKE!) deals with only real people, events or ideas and is narrated from the point of view, or perspective, of the author, who is a real person. It may reflect the historical context of the time period, including references to major social and cultural information. However, not all nonfiction accounts or stories are in written form. Some are recounted in discussions or on news programs.

Talk to any adult in your life (grandparent, mother, father, aunt, uncle, guardian, teacher, cousin... etc) and  ask them about a major historical event they can recall in their life. Maybe they will give you insight into 9/11 or the JFK assassination.... or the first trip to the moon....or the Cuban Missile Crisis... or stories about the Vietnam War or Martin Luther King!  Ask them about the historical context of the time period in which their event takes place. What was going on in the world or the United States at the time?

After your chat with the adult in your life, summarize the conversation and what you learned from their nonfiction account! 

Your summary must at least be 8 sentences long. Read it over with the adult whom you had the discussion with in order to check your work for spelling, grammar, punctuation, run-on sentences etc.


If you'd like, you can research more about the event and include a link to an informative website on your post!

Your post is due no later than Friday at 5pm.

The Power of Believing

In the video below, we witness 5th grader Dalton Sherman address a group of educators. In a well-constructed paragraph, please respond to the following two questions:

1. What do you think Dalton means when he asks, "Do you believe in me?"

2. In your opinion, what makes Dalton's speech so powerful?

REMEMBER TO DRAFT YOUR COMMENT IN A GOOGLE DOC OR WORD PROCESSOR BEFORE POSTING.

Check your post for spelling, grammar or punctuation errors.

(REFER TO < HOW TO POST COMMENTS > if you need help on posting)

YOUR POST IS DUE BY FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 21st at 5pm.