ELA 6: Argumentative Performance Task
Name:____________________________________
Pd:_______
RAFT Activity for “Can a Game Play You?”
Put the controller down. Place the iPhone gently on the table. Leave your iPod at home.
Could you survive a day without technology? Many of us find comfort and reassurance in
having technology and resources of information at our fingertips.
Think of the decisions you make, big and small, every day. Which persuasive messages
might be influencing your decisions? In this activity you’ll learn how to analyze text for
persuasive messages. You’ll also learn the parts of a strong argument.
The articles, “What Video Games can Teach Us” and “The Violent Side of Video Games”
explore the effects of video games on young people. The first presents the potential
benefits of video games while the second looks at potential harmful effects.
Using the articles as a resource, you will complete a RAFT activity by researching and
defending beliefs of video games/technology in our community.
In this RAFT activity you will:
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
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analyze argument and persuasion in nonfiction
apply critical thinking skills to analyze text
recognize bias in nonfiction texts
analyze a prompt and respond in writing using persuasive techniques
RAFT Explanation
R = Role: What is my role as the writer? Who am I?
A = Audience: To whom am I writing? Should I write formally or informally?
F = Format: Which format should I use while writing?
T = Topic: What is the topic? Is it sufficiently focused?
S = Strong Verb: What am I trying to do in this piece of writing?
Argument and Persuasion
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An ARGUMENT is a carefully stated position on an issue.
A strong argument has two parts: a CLAIM, or position on an issue; and SUPPORT
that helps prove the claim. Support may include statistics, anecdotes (personal
stories), or examples.
CLAIM
Teens who use the Internet for different kinds of tasks are developing important life
skills.
SUPPORT 1
Using the Internet for
research can help teens
become experts at finding
information. For example,
looking up homework help
and comparison-shopping
online both require savvy
research abilities.
SUPPORT 2
Teens are learning how
to multi-task. One study
found that 30 percent of
teens do more than one
thing when they are on
the Internet - for
instance, surf the web
and email friends at the
same time.
SUPPORT 3
The immediate responses
required by emails and
instant messages can help
teens learn to type faster
and to process information
quickly. These abilities are
critical in school and in
business.
Writers may also use PERSUASIVE TECHNIQUES to convince their readers to do or
believe something. The chart below shows different kinds of persuasive techniques.
Appeals by
Association
“Sell” something
by linking it with a
positive thing
Examples: Bandwagon - taps into people’s
desire to belong to a group; Testimonial - relies
on the backing of a celebrity, an expert, or a
satisfied customer
Emotional
Appeals
Use strong
feelings rather
than evidence to
persuade
Examples: Appeal to Fear - makes people feel
as if their safety, security, or health is in
danger; Appeal to Vanity - Uses flattery to win
people over
Loaded
Language
Use words with
positive or
negative
associations
Examples: Words with Positive Associations bring to mind something exciting, comforting, or
desirable; Words with Negative Associations Call up unpleasant images, experiences, or
feelings
Additional Terms for Critical Analysis
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A COUNTERARGUMENT is an argument made to oppose another
argument. A strong argument anticipates opposing viewpoints and
provides counterarguments to disprove the.
An OVERGENERALIZATION is a statement that is too broad to be
accurate. You can often recognize overgeneralizations by the
appearance of words and phrases such as all, everyone, or no one.
“Can a Game Play You?” Argumentative RAFT Activity
Role
Audience
Format
Topic
(who you
pretend to be
as you write)
(who you are
writing to)
(the form your
writing takes)
(the main idea of your writing)
Student
Peers
Persuasive
Essay
Persuade other peers that people
can play violent games without
becoming a violent person
Parents of a
Gamer
XBox/PlayStation
Corporation
Persuasive
Essay
Justify the need for more
educational based games
Video
Marketing
Executives
Programmers
Persuasive
Essay
Should you offer your apps for free
before selling them?
Student
Dr. Ramage
Persuasive
Essay
Convince your principal to allow for
time during the school day for
video gaming, include a
counterargument
Reminders:
1. Each RAFT activity should be at least two pages in length. Please double-space and use
Times New Roman with font size of 12 or 14.
2. Although you can choose different activities, keep in mind that this activity focuses on
writing an argument with claims and supports.
3. Follow the guidelines and rubric for writing a persuasive/argumentative essay.
4. Pay close attention to your role, audience, format, and topic.
5. Remember to stay focused on your task!
Name: ________________________________________ Date: ___________ Period ________
ELA 6 - Rubric for “Can a Game Play You?” RAFT Activity
Traits
4 – Exceeding
3 – Meeting grade
2 – Approaching
grade level
expectations
level expectations
grade level
expectations
1 – Below grade
level expectations
Organization
The introduction is
inviting, states the
goal or thesis, and
provides an overview
of the issue.
Information is
presented in a logical
order and maintains
the interest of the
audience. Each new
paragraph relates to
and builds on the
previous section. The
conclusion strongly
states a personal
opinion.
The introduction includes
the goal or thesis and
provides an overview of
the issue. All information
is presented in a logical
order but does not
always maintain the
interest of the audience.
Each paragraph is
essential to the purpose
of the essay. A
conclusion states a
personal opinion.
The introduction includes
the main goal or thesis.
Most information is
presented in a logical
order. Most paragraphs
are essential to the
purpose of the essay. A
conclusion is included,
but it does not clearly state
a personal opinion.
There is no clear
introduction, structure, or
conclusion. Few
paragraphs are essential
to the purpose of the
essay.
Goal or
Thesis
There is one goal or
thesis that strongly
and clearly states a
personal opinion and
identifies the issue.
There is one goal or
thesis that states a
personal opinion and
identifies the issue.
A personal opinion is not
clearly stated. There is
little reverence to the
issue.
The personal opinion is
not easily understood.
There is little or no
reference to the issue.
Reasons
and Support
(Evidence)
Three or more
excellent reasons are
clearly stated from
credible sources using
quotes. Evidence
acknowledges
alternate or opposing
points of view.
Three or more reasons
are clearly stated from
credible sources using
quotes.
Two reasons are made
from credible sources
using quotes.
Arguments are weak or
missing. Less than
two reasons are made.
No relevant examples
from credible sources.
Attention to
Audience
Argument
demonstrates a clear
understanding of the
potential audience and
anticipates
counterarguments.
Argument demonstrates a
clear understanding of
the potential audience.
Argument demonstrates
some understanding of the
potential audience.
Argument does not
seem to target any
particular audience.
Word
Choice
Words choice is
creative and
enhances the
argument.
Word choice enhances
the argument.
There is evidence of
attention to word choice.
Word choice is limited.
Bland.
Grammar,
Mechanics,
& Spelling
There are NO errors
in grammar,
mechanics, and/or
spelling.
There are few errors (3
or less) in grammar,
mechanics, and/or
spelling, but they do not
interfere with
understanding.
There are several errors
(4-8) in grammar,
mechanics and/or spelling.
Paper is “choppy” and
hard to understand.
There are numerous
errors (9 or more) in
grammar, mechanics,
and/or spelling. Unable
to follow meaning/flow.