Example: Argumentative text

When someone writes a persuasive text - like a debate article or a blog post - that person wants you to understand, and reach a conclusion. The writer actually wants to influence your point of view. That's why it's so important to become an active reader whenever you read a persuasive text. So that you don't become convinced to agree with an opinion that you actually don't hold. When you read actively, you also read with critical eyes.

Do it like this; start with using the strategy: Predict. Do this to see if the topic interests you, and to see if you already know of some of the writer's views. That will help you understand the context of the text. Ehm... The title says "Save Best Wood." It's someone called Michael that has written this post in Best Wood's Facebook group.

Can you guess something about the topic from that title? It seems like Michael is upset about something that is about to happen in Best Wood, where he lives. And that he wants to save something. That sounds interesting! Of course you want to join in to save something important if it's possible.

Wonder... will Michael be able to influence other readers to feel the way he does? But who is Michael? Is he someone you can believe in? Does he seem to be a good guy?

Do you think that you will understand why he holds his opinion? Well, we'll see... Now it's time to start reading the post. SAVE BEST WOOD A long time ago, the former head of the leisure department, Miss Hoppitt was passionately involved in creating jogging trails through Best Wood. She got several volunteers involved, to work on the trails in their spare time!

Initially the trails totalled 2,000 meters, and eventually they increased to become 3,500 meters. The volunteers that constructed the trails used horse and cart... Cart? What does that mean? To understand the text, use the strategy: Understand difficult words and expressions.

Read the word once more, and try to figure out if you've heard it before. Aha... like a 'push-cart'! That's something you've heard of. So a cart is something that you can load something on, almost like a carriage.

If you then - just in case - google the word you'll find out that a cart means a carriage with only two wheels. Re-read this paragraph. Now that you understand it better, you can continue in the text. "The volunteers that constructed the trails used horse and cart to remove tree stumps from the trails they were building. The trails were eventually provided with electric lighting that extended the walking - and running - season, and also allowed the trails to be used for cross country skiing in wintertime." Now use the strategy: Visualise -- create inner images. Can you visualise illuminated trails where people are jogging or skiing?

If you are used to jogging in the woods these inner images might look just like your trails, where you jog! "To my family these tracks have been of great importance. We like to run Marathons and it's here on the trails of Best Wood that we have prepared and practised. Although we need to run a lot of laps, to make the length become equal to a Marathon, we have enjoyed it since the nature surrounding the trails is just incredible." When you read this, you become moved and engaged. This happens because you are using the strategy: Text connections. Text to self.

If you have practised before a race while at the same time enjoying beautiful, untouched nature you'll be able to feel the importance of running, and just being in a wood. Now you have used some tricks to understand a persuasive text. It's easy to grasp why Michael wants the trails to remain as they are. But there is probably a reason why the trails are being threatened. Before you've read that, you are not able to know if you agree with him or not.

That reason you will find out about in part two of this film.