Response to Persuasive Text
Planning Sheet (sample)
Paragraph 1: Write an interesting opening that identifies the source, form of persuasion intended audience, and the claim the text is making.
Source (includes author): Bangor Daily News 2/24/10 “Follow Five Steps to Health Care Reform” by Tim Pawlenty
Form of persuasion: essay
Intended audience: people concerned about health care
Claim: The way to fix health care is to fix the runaway costs.
Paragraph 2: Provide examples of why you believe the claim is or is not justified based on your ability to locate information.
Is the claim supported? Yes
Examples (information, etc.) from the text that supports the claim OR that do not support the claim.
Too many unnecessary procedures. Doctors might get more money for them. Afraid of lawsuits.
not enough competition in insurance – people should be able to buy form different states
people loose health insurance when they change jobs
people don't know the actual cost of the care they are getting before they get it.
Paragraph 3: Analyze the writer's reasoning and identify how the information constructs support and/or is misleading.
Strategies used: Argues from knowledge of his state
uses facts
adds some of his own opinions
How does the information construct support OR how does it mislead the audience?
Did his research, gave good examples of how health care costs are out of control
Shows bias by saying the democrats don't know how to solve the problem
Only speaks about health care costs, doesn't look at other issues related to health care reform
Paragraph 4: Write a conclusion that evaluates the effectiveness of the persuasive piece.
How effective was this piece?
Reasons for your answer: