English 10 - Quarter 3 - Lesson 5: The Writer's Toolkit: Inform, Persuade, and Argue

English 10: Quarter 3

Lesson 5: The Writer's Toolkit

Lesson 5: The Writer's Toolkit: Inform, Persuade, and Argue

I. Objectives

At the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

• Knowledge: Define and differentiate between informative, persuasive, and argumentative writing techniques based on their purpose.
• Skill: Identify the specific techniques used in various texts and apply a specific technique to a given topic.
• Affective: Appreciate that the choice of writing technique is a deliberate decision made by the author to achieve a specific goal.

II. Introduction

Good morning! Let's say you need to ask for something. If you're asking your parents for more allowance, do you use the same words and tone as when you're explaining the rules of a video game to a friend? Of course not!

You're already a master at changing your technique in speech. Writing is exactly the same. A good writer has a 'toolkit' of different techniques. Today, we're going to learn the three most important tools in that kit: Informative, Persuasive, and Argumentative writing.

III. Definition (Key Terms) - Part 1

1. Informative Writing:
Purpose: To teach, explain, or present facts. Objective and neutral.
Techniques: Factual data, statistics, definitions, step-by-step instructions.
Example: A textbook chapter or a recipe.

2. Persuasive Writing:
Purpose: To convince the reader to feel a certain way or take action. Often one-sided.
Techniques: Emotional language ("heartbreaking"), rhetorical questions, call to action.
Example: An advertisement or a donation speech.

III. Definition (Key Terms) - Part 2

3. Argumentative Writing:
Purpose: To convince the reader to agree with a claim using logic and evidence.
Techniques: Debatable claim, logical reasons, hard evidence, and addressing the counter-argument.
Example: An academic essay on school uniforms.

Key Difference: Persuasive vs. Argumentative

• Persuasive appeals to the heart (emotion). It's often about one side.
• Argumentative appeals to the brain (logic). It presents both sides but proves one is better.

IV. Spring Board: What to Do with the Downtown Lot?

Read the letter below. Notice how the technique changes in each paragraph.

(Paragraph 1 - Informative) The town council has proposed a new 1.5-acre recreational area in the old downtown lot, currently zoned for commercial use. The plan, as outlined in Document 2B, includes a budget of $250,000 to be funded by the recent municipal bond. If passed, construction would begin in the spring.

(Paragraph 2 - Persuasive) Think of our children, cooped up inside, with nowhere to play but on glowing screens. This park would be a shining beacon of joy, a place where laughter rings out and friendships are forged. Are we really going to tell them "no"? Don't let this golden opportunity to bring life back to our downtown slip away!

(Paragraph 3 - Argumentative) While some may argue that this lot is better suited for a new business that would generate tax revenue, they are missing the long-term picture. A 2023 study from the National Recreation and Parks Association showed that towns with dedicated teen-centric parks see an average 15% reduction in juvenile crime. This park is not a 'cost'; it's a vital investment in our community's future health and safety.

V. Essential Questions

Analyze the text you just read.

1. What is the main topic of this letter?

Answer: The topic is the proposal to build a new park in the downtown lot.

2. How can you tell the first paragraph is purely informative?

Answer: It just states neutral facts: the size, the budget, and the plan. It doesn't include any opinion or emotion.

3. What specific persuasive technique does the second paragraph use?

Answer: It uses emotional language ("shining beacon of joy") and a rhetorical question ("Are we really going to tell them 'no'?") to make you feel guilty or hopeful.

4. How does the argumentative approach (Para 3) differ from the persuasive one?

Answer: Paragraph 2 uses emotion. Paragraph 3 uses logic and evidence (a specific 2023 study, a statistic) to prove its point.

5. What argumentative technique is used in the sentence "While some may argue..."?

Answer: This is a counter-argument, acknowledging the opposing viewpoint before proving it wrong.

VI. Exercise: Change the Technique

Scenario: "The school cafeteria will start serving a new vegetarian-only menu on Mondays."

Rewrite this statement three times using different purposes.

1. Informative (Just the facts):

Example: "Starting Monday, the cafeteria will offer a new menu. This menu is part of the 'Green Monday' initiative and will feature three vegetarian-only main courses."

2. Persuasive (Get them excited/Emotional):

Example: "Tired of the same old, boring food? Get ready to light up your taste buds! The new 'Green Monday' menu is here to make your week amazing!"

3. Argumentative (Logical reasons):

Example: "While some students may be concerned, adopting a 'Green Monday' menu is the right choice. It is a proven way to reduce our school's carbon footprint and promote healthier eating habits."

VII. Generalization

Today, we've seen that a writer isn't just a writer; they're a 'jack-of-all-trades.' They have to be a teacher (informative), a cheerleader (persuasive), and a lawyer (argumentative).

A good writer knows when to use the 'informative' wrench to explain, the 'persuasive' paintbrush to inspire, and the 'argumentative' calculator to prove.

Key Takeaway: Always know why you are writing. Your purpose will always be the best guide for picking the right tool for the job.

VIII. Evaluation

English 10 - Short Quiz No. 5

Instructions: Choose the best answer for each question.

Full Name:

Result: English 10 - Short Quiz No. 5

Name:

Score:

Attempts:

IX. Additional Activity (Enrichment)

Assignment: Find one print or web advertisement for any product.

1. Analyze the Ad: Identify the purpose (persuasive) and list the techniques it uses (e.g., emotional words, happy people).

2. Rewrite the Ad: Rewrite the information as a short, purely informative paragraph. Remove persuasive techniques and just state the facts.

Congratulations! You have completed Lesson 5.