Fact, Opinion, & Common Place Assertion

“Great White Sharks” Fact, Opinion, & Common Place Assertion Holt p. 920

* Jaws was written in 1974 by Peter Benchley, and it was later adapted into a movie in 1975 by Steven Spielberg.

* You Tube Clip— https:/www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucMFLO6TsFM

* Quick Write—Use the space below to answer the prompt.

* Prompt— Based off this trailer, how are great white sharks portrayed? * What specifically leads you to believe this?

* at least 5 sentences— hook, answer prompt, examples from clip, conclusion

* “The Great White Sharks” by Peter Benchley, Holt page 920

* Twenty-five years later, Benchley decided to write this article.

* While reading, think about… Do fiction writers have a responsibility to base their stories only on actual facts? * After reading the article, answer the following questions.

1. What are two common place assertions on page 921?

2. What factual claims does he make to dispute the commonplace assertions?

3. Looking at page 921, how do you think Benchley feels about sharks now?

4. On page 922, look at lines 30 -37.

* What are the facts?

* What are the opinions? * What evidence does Benchley offer to support that he helped change people’s views about great white sharks?

5. Look at page 923.

* Using the picture, describe the qualities of the great white shark.

* Look at lines 72 – 82. What are three factual claims Benchley makes about great white sharks?

* Look at lines 83-90. Why is it difficult to get accurate measurements of the great white shark?

6. Look at page 924.

* Do you think people should learn as much as possible about sharks? Why?

* How is most information about sharks collected?

* What conclusion can you draw about people’s understanding of sharks? * Reflection Writing—

* Benchley wrote this article 25 years after writing Jaws.

* Answer one of the following questions.. * Writing Requirements— * 5 – 7 sentences * Use one piece of text evidence. (quote ) * Include a hook at the beginning and a conclusion sentence at the end

* Choose ONE writing prompt:

* What is a common place assertion, and what is one of the common place assertions that Benchley uses in his article?

* Looking back at the facts and opinions Benchley uses in this article, what new knowledge does he present about sharks?

* What is Benchley’s attitude about sharks, and how do you know?

* Do you think Benchley feels guilty about how he wrote Jaws? Why or why not?