Remember the scenario at the beginning of this lesson, the one where you need to attend that dress rehearsal but have to convince your dad to give you a ride? Let’s use the situation to practice using the elements of a persuasive text.

The main elements that we discussed are the following:

• Fact and opinion
• Arguments and counterarguments
• Audience and how it relates to the claims and evidence
• Evidence and transitional words

Now, read the passage below and click on main elements you have read about in the lesson. Read the entire letter, and then do these steps in order. If you choose correctly, the text will highlight.

1. Highlight in green your thesis statement.
2. Highlight in blue the first few words of the counter-arguments (opposing views).
3. Highlight in pink the evidence you use in response to the counterarguments.

How did you do? When something important to you comes up in the future, you will be ready to make your case by developing logical, convincing arguments for specific audiences. You will also be able to separate fact from opinion and anticipate the arguments of others.