HSPA Section: Persuasive Reading

(45 minutes to read passage which is appx. 3 pages in length, answer 10 multiple choice and 2 open-ended questions)

A PERSUASIVE TEXT is a text in which the writer attempts to sway the reader to a specific point of view.  Because persuasive writing is based on a personal vision, it is inherently controversial.  Exploring these controversial issues develops and enhances students' critical thinking skills.

Persuasive passages are selected from previously published text. Students will respond to open-ended and multiple choice questions about these passages to assess literal and inferential thinking through understanding, analyzing, and assessing texts.

Types of Multiple Choice Questions:

1. recognize a theme or central idea.
2. recognize details that develop or support the main idea.
3. extrapolate information and/or follow directions.
4. paraphrase, retell, interpret phrases / sentences from the text.
5. recognize a purpose for reading.
6. make tentative predictions of meaning.
7. make judgments, form opinions, draw conclusions from the text.
8. use context clues to define vocabulary words

Tips for Reading and Multiple Choice Questions:

1. Recognize the author’s main idea- what is (s)he trying to sell, make you believe, or make you do?
2. Understand the author’s main points- the main arguments to support the point of view.
3. Look for support ideas- usually details that include quotes, anecdotes, details, examples, or statistics.
4. Know the author’s purpose- look for the action that (s)he wants from the reader.
5. Read the question and all answers thoroughly before selecting an answer.  Note that many answers will seem plausible, and in some cases several answers will be correct, but one will be the best answer.
6. If you aren’t sure of the correct answer, try to eliminate incorrect answers.
7. For questions that refer to the text, go back and read the whole section of text from which the sample comes.

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