Vocabulary (2/8-2/12)

No new vocabulary words this week.

Drama Vocabulary (2/1-2/5/16)

1. drama - a performance for TV, radio, or theater.

2. playwright - a person who writes plays.

3. players - actors/actresses in a play, movie, or TV show.

4. dialogue - lines spoken between characters in fiction or plays.

5. monologue - a speech delivered by one person in a scene of a drama.

6. soliloquy - inner thoughts made by a character to himself/herself.

7. stage directions - a playwright's descriptions that provide information about the dialogue, setting, and actions during a play.

8. script - the written part of a play, movie, or TV show.

Persuasive Techniques Vocabulary (1/25-1/29)

1. assertion - when an idea is presented as a fact without explanation.

2. bias - the presentation of only one side of an argument as a means of persuasion.

3. evidence - facts that indicate whether an argument is true and/or valid.

4. propaganda - information (usually biased) used to promote a particular point of view.

5. rule of three - groups of three adjectives or phrases used to make ideas memorable.

6. target audience - a particular group in which means of persuasion is aimed at.

7. opinion - a statement or view no based on evidence or proof.

8. debate - formal discussion or written piece about a topic.

9. argument - a reason or set of reasons to persuade others to share the point of view of a speaker or writer.

10. counter-argument - set of reasons used to oppose an idea.

Media Vocabulary

Persuasion in the Media Vocabulary (1/18-1/22/16)

1. Media - means of mass communication (i.e. TV, radio, Internet, etc.)

2. Patriotic approach - the suggestion that buying or using a product will show love of your country.

3. Glittering generalities - using appealing words and images to sell a product.

4. Snob approach - the suggestion that the use of the product will make the consumer (buyer) have a glamorous lifestyle.

5. Bribery approach - seems to give an extra bonus when purchasing a product.

6. Bandwagon approach - Tries to get consumers (buyers) to "join the crowd" when buying their product.

7. Testimonial (a.k.a. Celebrity Endorsement) - a famous person is used to sell a product.

Vocabulary

Next week students will be receiving their new reading logs and vocabulary assignments. The reading logs will be in the same format. However, vocabulary assignments will be a little different.

1/11-1/15 Vocabulary List (Persuasive Text)

• rhetorical fallacy - an argument that does not make sense, used to appeal to the audience.
• ad hominem - type of rhetorical fallacy in which the purpose is to "attack" another to distract them from the argument.
• appeal - the means of persuasion in an argument (i.e. logos, pathos, ethos).
• logical fallacy (logos) - an incorrect argument that is based on poor reasoning (it doesn't make sense).
• emotional fallacy (pathos) - appeal to the audience's emotions.
• ethical fallacy (ethos) - when the writer/speaker "bullies" to think like they do (or to get their own way).
• explicit message - a message that is specific and clear to the audience.
• implicit message - a message that the audience has to make an educated guess as to the meaning of it.

Benchmark Testing

On Thursday and Friday, 7th graders will be taking the benchmark tests in reading, writing, and math. Benchmarks are used to determine student strengths and weaknesses thus far in the school year. It will also determine students who will need to be present during Flex Week. Here is the testing schedule for both days. 

In addition to identifying different types of informational text, we will begin reading Acts I and II from "A Christmas Carol".