PERSUASIVE SUMMATIVE

ASSESSMENT
WHAT MAKES GOOD LITERATURE?
If we intend to teach our students to thinkwe must risk giving
them something to think about. Michael C. Thompson
As the School Board commences to consider new titles for the sixth
grade curriculum and keep old ones, you, as part of a committee, have
been assigned to recommend classic literature to keep. You and your
committee have decided to keep Charles Dickenss Oliver Twist. Read
through the following generalizations and choose one on which to base
your argument. Include the three persuasive appeals.
1. Classics possess enduring value, advanced vocabulary and
sentence construction, highly developed characters, significant
ideas, the potential for open-ended discussion, and artistic merit.
2. Classics are inherently self-differentiating. They are so deep that
each person is able to read them at his own depth and get
something out of them. Dr. Henry Passow
3. Classics develop critical and creative thinking skills.
4. Classics develop values and humanity. There is always something
in the story, some bravery or loyalty or curiosity that matters.
Ethos:
How well you document the supporting evidence to back up your
claim. This must be formatted according to MLA guidelines both in the
parenthetical citations and in the Word Cited. Consult Purdue Owl MLA.
Logos:
How well you have structured your argument including transitions and
topic sentences.
Pathos:
Your choice of words. How well you can convince the audience with an
appropriate choice of vocabulary that generates emotions that will
engage your reader.