Persuasive Commentary: Convincing Others to Engage with Your Favorite Books, Movies, and Games

• English
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 1

1 TVWO speaking assignment (2-test)

Final Hand in date is the THURSDAY THE 1ST OF JUNE

Via Google Classroom

Persuasive Commentary: Convincing Others to Engage with Your Favorite Books, Movies, and Games

Learning Objective

• At the end of the lesson, you will be able to provide a persuasive commentary on a book, movie, or game to persuade or discourage others from engaging with it. 
• You will know how to score well in the Speaking Test

Make sure to emphasize the importance of being able to provide a persuasive commentary and the impact it can have on others' decision to read, watch, or play something.

What do you already know about providing a persuasive commentary on a book, movie, or game?

Understanding the Purpose

The purpose of a persuasive commentary is to convince or discourage others from engaging with a book, movie, or game.

Explain to students what a persuasive commentary is and why it is important to be able to provide one.

Knowing Your Audience ...1

In this assignment you are speaking to your teacher. She reads a lot and especially enjoys crime or historical fiction, she doesn't read genre's such as fantasy or science fiction.... but maybe you can persuade her.  

Encourage students to think about who their audience might be and how they can tailor their commentary to best persuade or discourage them.

Knowing Your Audience........continued 2

Remember that in this assignment you are speaking to your teacher.........

She  goes to the cinema almost every week. She usually watches films that have been nominated for international awards.  Films such as fantasy or science fiction don't really interest her.... but maybe you can persuade her.  

Encourage students to think about who their audience might be and how they can tailor their commentary to best persuade or discourage them.

Knowing Your Audience........continued 3

Remember that in this assignment you are speaking to your teacher.........

She  has two sons who love online games and years ago she spent a lot of time playing Super Mario! She loves word games like " Wordle" and Scrabble/Bananagrams... Recently she played a "live" game of Laser Game at Sam City.......She hasn't got much experience of any types of the games you are interested in  but maybe you can persuade her.  

Encourage students to think about who their audience might be and how they can tailor their commentary to best persuade or discourage them.

Highlighting the Positives

Highlight the positives of the book, movie, or game. What makes it unique? What are some of its strengths?

Provide examples of positive aspects of a book, movie, or game that students can use in their own commentaries.

Addressing the Negatives

Address the negatives of the book, movie, or game. What are its weaknesses? What are some of the drawbacks?

Provide examples of negative aspects of a book, movie, or game that students can use in their own commentaries.

Using Evidence

Use evidence to support your commentary. Provide examples, quotes, or scenes that demonstrate the strengths or weaknesses of the book, movie, or game.

Explain to students the importance of using evidence to support their commentary and provide examples of how to use evidence effectively.

Effective Language

Use effective language to convey your message. Use descriptive words, metaphors, and similes to create a vivid picture for your audience.

Encourage students to use descriptive language and provide examples of effective language that they can use in their own commentaries.

Effective Language to create a vivid picture for your audience.

  similes and metaphors : 

Encourage students to use descriptive language and provide examples of effective language that they can use in their own commentaries.

Present Tenses to Describe Films & Books

You probably already know the various reasons for using the present simple and continuous tenses: to talk about facts or habits (present simple), to describe temporary situations or what is happening at the time of speaking (present continuous) or to talk about future timetables or schedules (present simple). However, one very important reason for using these tenses is to describe the events in a book or film. 

Encourage students to use descriptive language and provide examples of effective language that they can use in their own commentaries.

Uses

When we tell a story or anecdote or describe the events in a book or film (or a game) we will often use the present tense in order to make the action seem more engaging or dramatic. Study the use of tenses in the following extract from an  answer to this question:

"Describe a scene from a book or film that you really enjoyed …

Encourage students to use descriptive language and provide examples of effective language that they can use in their own commentaries.

Uses

When we tell a story or anecdote or describe the events in a book or film (or a game) we will often use the present tense in order to make the action seem more engaging or dramatic. Study the use of tenses in the following extract from an  answer to this question:

Encourage students to use descriptive language and provide examples of effective language that they can use in their own commentaries.

"Describe a scene from a book or film that you really enjoyed …

'"I really enjoyed reading Aldous Huxley’s ‘Brave New World’ and one scene in particular comes to mind. Two of the characters, Linda and her son John, are taken from the place where they are living, to London. This is the ‘brave new world’ and ideals of love, and family life are despised. Because Linda looks old and unattractive she is given a drug called ‘soma’ in the hope that she will die. Eventually, John gets a phone call and is told his mum is dying in hospital. He rushes to her bedside and sits there watching over her. He remembers how she used to be when she was younger but a group of children spoil the moment when they start making fun of Linda. This event is really important because it shows the difference between the old and the new world. Even the nurse can’t understand why John is unhappy when his mum dies"

Encourage students to use descriptive language and provide examples of effective language that they can use in their own commentaries.

The events have been described as if they are happening ‘now’. There are lots of examples of present tenses. The simple present appears most frequently, but on two occasions the past tense is used to signify a change in time period, ‘used to be’ and ‘when she was younger’. We also have a reference to the future – ‘will die’.

This is an authentic, natural way to describe events in a book or film in English. Making your 'Speaking Video' sound like this will make a positive impression and get a good grade in your 2-test.

Encourage students to use descriptive language and provide examples of effective language that they can use in their own commentaries.

Practice Makes Perfect

Practice providing a persuasive commentary on a book, movie, or game. Get feedback from others and refine your commentary.

Remember to speak for at least a minute but not longer than two minutes

Provide opportunities for students to practice providing a persuasive commentary and give feedback to each other. Encourage them to refine their commentaries based on the feedback they receive.

Check Google Classroom for a closer look at the rubric!

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.