Transcript How should you spend your FREE TIME?

Doing Nothing Is Something
Persuasive Essay by Anna Quindlen
Introducing the Persuasive Essay
with VIDEO TRAILER
Elements of Nonfiction: Argument
Reading Skill: Distinguish Fact
from Opinion
Vocabulary in Context
Doing Nothing Is Something
INTRODUCING THE PERSUASIVE ESSAY
How should you spend your FREE TIME?
What is your typical day like?
School and homework must take up a lot of time.
If you have other commitments, such as a job, sports practice, or
family chores, then there’s probably not much room in your life for
leisure.
Doing Nothing Is Something
INTRODUCING THE PERSUASIVE ESSAY
How should you spend your FREE TIME?
In this essay, Anna Quindlen explores whether young people have
enough leisure time or are too busy for their own good.
DISCUSS
Free Time
If you had more free time, how
would you spend it?
1. Draw cartoons.
Make a list of things you would
do—or not do.
2. Take long walks.
Then discuss with a partner how
you would benefit from the extra
free time.
4.
3.
5.
Doing Nothing Is Something
Click on the title to play the trailer.
Doing Nothing Is
Something
Doing Nothing Is Something
Argument
At the heart of every argument is a claim, the writer’s position on
an issue. To convince readers that a claim is valid, a writer must
offer support, which may consist of
• reasons that explain or justify an action, a belief, or a decision
• evidence in the form of facts, statistics, examples, or the views
of experts
Everyoneshould
shouldrecycle
recycleasasmuch
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the only
we in
possible.
little home
room left
have, and
humans
are responsible
for
landfills,
and
most forms
of plastic and
taking
of it.
glass
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not biodegrade.
Doing Nothing Is Something
Argument
In “Doing Nothing Is Something,” Anna Quindlen discusses a
topic particular to contemporary U.S. society.
Over the years, United States’
culture has undergone a shift in
the use of leisure time.
Quindlen claims that this shift
in perspective is detrimental to
children and the adults they will become.
Doing Nothing Is Something
Argument
As you read, use a chart like the one shown to help you identify
Anna Quindlen’s claim and the support she provides.
Claim: We need to allow children to have downtime in the summer.
Reason
Evidence
Children are
overscheduled.
A suburb set aside one night free of
homework, athletic practices, and
after-school events.
Doing Nothing Is Something
Distinguish Fact from Opinion
A fact is a statement that can be
proved, such as, “Most U.S.
households have Internet access.”
An opinion is a statement of
belief, such as “I think people
rely too much on the Internet.”
Doing Nothing Is Something
Distinguish Fact from Opinion
Appropriate
and local
I believe the education
city’s mandatory
spaylegislation
needed
encourage
neuter laware
was
a goodtoidea
and will
responsible
really help pet
withownership
the pet and help
reduce
pet overpopulation.
overpopulation
problem.
People often use words and
phrases such as I think, I believe,
perhaps, and maybe to state their
opinions—but not always.
To identify opinions that lack
such telltale words and phrases,
remember that an opinion cannot
be proved; at best, an opinion
can only be supported.
Doing Nothing Is Something
contemptuous
The vocabulary words in the box on the right help
Quindlen make her point about free time. To see how
many words you know, match each vocabulary word
from the list with its synonym. Answers appear in
brackets.
1. prominent
[prestigious]
2. shortfall
[deficit]
4. disdainful
[contemptuous]
5. praiseworthy
[laudable]
3. break
[hiatus]
deficit
hiatus
laudable
prestigious
Doing Nothing Is Something
contemptuous adj. scornful or disrespectful
deficit n. a shortfall or deficiency
hiatus n. a gap or break in continuity
laudable adj. worthy of high praise
prestigious adj. having a great reputation; highly respected