Persuasive Writing

Canned Lesson Persuasive Writing

Step 1: Read the prompt carefully before you begin. • Situation: Recent news reports show more and more recreational team sports leagues do away with scorekeeping in games in an effort to encourage children to be less competitive and to discourage any negative self-esteem after they “lose” a game or match. Additionally, the presence of the “participation” trophy has increased astronomically through the years. Kids are being rewarded for participating rather than for their real achievements. • Directions for Writing: Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper either agreeing or disagreeing with the sole use of participation trophies.

Step 2: Take a stand. Think about the stand that will provide three reasons for argument.

Step 3:Prepare the graphic organizer. Now fold your paper into 4 squares.

Step 4: Complete the graphic organizer. Unfold the paper and draw a box in the center. In the center box write a sentence to convey your stand.

Write one reason you think kids should (not) be rewarded for participation. Example: Kids will not attempt to do things if they are rewarded for just being there. Write another reason you think kids should (not) be rewarded for participation. Step 3: Complete the graphic organizer. Example: people need to be held accountable for achievements. Kids should learn what it takes to get ahead a be competitive; therefore, participation trophies are a bad idea. Write another reason you think kids should (not) be rewarded for participation. Example: Kids need to be rewarded and praised for what makes them unique. Students need to rewarded for doing something, rather than just being there. They need to work towards making achievements rather than just being present. Lastly, kids need strive to be great and learn what makes them different from others. This is what makes them stand out as an individual. Summarize your 3 reasons.

Example: Every vote counts and is important. • Close elections for office • Close elections for laws/decisions • Send mandates to the government. Write 3 details about this reason. • Example: Voting is your way to state your concerns and beliefs. • Taxes • Education • War Write 3 details about this reason Step 3: Complete the graphic organizer. Kids should learn what it takes to get ahead a be competitive; therefore, participation trophies are a bad idea. It is important to exercise the right to vote. Through this process our beliefs and concerns are conveyed. Although many election contests are won by comfortable margins, some have been so close that a single vote has made the difference. We must show the world the importance of voting in a democracy. • Example: Through voting we practice "democracy“ which we are trying to bring to others. • Example being set • Demonstrate belief in democracy • Respect for lives being lost protecting democracy Summarize your 3 reasons. Write 3 details about this reason.

Example: Voting is your way to state your concerns and beliefs. • Taxes • Education • War Elaborate on one detail. Step 3: Complete the graphic organizer. ELABORATE Voting is not only the privilege but the responsibility of every 18 year-old.

Example: Every vote counts and is important. • Close elections for office • Close elections for laws/decisions • Send mandates to the government. Congress can help or hinder families trying to raise their children Everyone remembers the 2000 election between Bush and Gore that was too close to call for weeks. Step 3: Complete the graphic organizer. Elaborate on one detail. ELABORATE Voting is not only the privilege but the responsibility of every 18 year-old.

Congress can help or hinder families trying to raise their children Everyone remembers the 2000 election between Bush and Gore that was too close to call for weeks. Step 3: Complete the graphic organizer. Voting is not only the privilege but the responsibility of every 18 year-old. • Example: Through voting we practice "democracy“ which we are trying to bring to others. • Example being set • Demonstrate belief in democracy • Respect for lives being lost protecting democracy 2,000 American Troops that have lost their lives in Iraq trying to bring democracy and the right to vote to that nation. Elaborate on one detail. ELABORATE

Step 5: Add transitions. For example, Moreover, • Every vote counts and is important. • Close elections for office • Close elections for laws/decisions • Send mandates to the government. A list of transition words is online! • Voting is your way to state your concerns and beliefs. • Taxes • Education • War Everyone remembers the 2000 election between Bush and Gore that was too close to call for weeks. Congress can help or hinder families trying to raise their children In other words, For these reasons, Voting is not only the privilege but the responsibility of every 18 year-old. • Through voting we practice "democracy“ which we are trying to bring to others. • Example being set • Demonstrate belief in democracy • Respect for lives being lost protecting democracy It is important to exercise the right to vote. Through this process our beliefs and concerns are conveyed. Although many election contests are won by comfortable margins, some have been so close that a single vote has made the difference. We must show the world the importance of voting in a democracy. 2,000 American Troops that have lost their lives in Iraq trying to bring democracy and the right to vote to that nation.

Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper. For example, Moreover, • Every vote counts and is important. • Close elections for office • Close elections for laws/decisions • Send mandates to the government. • Voting is your way to state your concerns and beliefs. • Taxes • Education • War Everyone remembers the 2000 election between Bush and Gore that was too close to call for weeks. Each square will become a paragraph. Congress can help or hinder families trying to raise their children For these reasons, In other words, Voting is not only the privilege but the responsibility of every 18 year-old. • Through voting we practice "democracy“ which we are trying to bring to others. • Example being set • Demonstrate belief in democracy • Respect for lives being lost protecting democracy It is important to exercise the right to vote. Through this process our beliefs and concerns are conveyed. Although many election contests are won by comfortable margins, some have been so close that a single vote has made the difference. We must show the world the importance of voting in a democracy. 2,000 American Troops that have lost their lives in Iraq trying to bring democracy and the right to vote to that nation.

Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper. Voting is not only the privilege but the responsibility of every 18 year-old. Voting is the way to tell politicians and government officials what is important to us. Through voting we exercise democracy, an act that others cannot experience without great loss. • The introductory paragraph (the center box) sums up each reason.

Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper. According to a recent poll, seventy-five percent of teenagers who are old enough to vote do not exercise that right. Voting is not only the privilege but the responsibility of every 18 year-old. Voting is the way to tell politicians and government officials what is important to us. Through voting we exercise democracy, an act that others cannot experience without great loss. • Begin the introductory paragraph with a hook. Samples of hooks can be found online.

For example, Moreover, • Every vote counts and is important. • Close elections for office • Close elections for laws/decisions • Send mandates to the government. • Voting is your way to state your concerns and beliefs. • Taxes • Education • War Everyone remembers the 2000 election between Bush and Gore that was too close to call for weeks. Congress can help or hinder families trying to raise their children For these reasons, In other words, Voting is not only the privilege but the responsibility of every 18 year-old. • Through voting we practice "democracy“ which we are trying to bring to others. • Example being set • Demonstrate belief in democracy • Respect for lives being lost protecting democracy It is important to exercise the right to vote. Through this process our beliefs and concerns are conveyed. Although many election contests are won by comfortable margins, some have been so close that a single vote has made the difference. We must show the world the importance of voting in a democracy. 2,000 American Troops that have lost their lives in Iraq trying to bring democracy and the right to vote to that nation. Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper. Next Paragraph

Step 5: From the graphic organizer to the paper. Next Paragraph For example, voting is your way to state your concerns and beliefs. How do you feel about raising taxes? What is important in the way of education for your children or your family? Congress can help or hinder families trying to raise their children. Your vote leads Congress in making those decisions. What signal do you want to send your representatives about the war?

Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper. Next Paragraph Moreover, every vote counts and is important. There have been many close elections for political office. Everyone remembers the 2000 election between Bush and Gore that was too close to call for weeks. Your vote could impact a close election for a change in laws or a local decision. Through exercising your vote you send mandates to the government.

Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper. Next Paragraph In other words, through voting we practice "democracy“ which we are trying to bring to others. Through registering to vote we set an example of our belief and demonstration of democracy. Voting shows a respect for the lives being lost protecting democracy for others, particularly in Iraq. 2,000 American Troops that have lost their lives in Iraq trying to bring democracy and the right to vote to that nation.

For example, Moreover, • Every vote counts and is important. • Close elections for office • Close elections for laws/decisions • Send mandates to the government. • Voting is your way to state your concerns and beliefs. • Taxes • Education • War Everyone remembers the 2000 election between Bush and Gore that was too close to call for weeks. Congress can help or hinder families trying to raise their children For these reasons, In other words, Voting is not only the privilege but the responsibility of every 18 year-old. • Through voting we practice "democracy“ which we are trying to bring to others. • Example being set • Demonstrate belief in democracy • Respect for lives being lost protecting democracy It is important to exercise the right to vote. Through this process our beliefs and concerns are conveyed. Although many election contests are won by comfortable margins, some have been so close that a single vote has made the difference. We must show the world the importance of voting in a democracy. 2,000 American Troops that have lost their lives in Iraq trying to bring democracy and the right to vote to that nation. Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper. Summary Paragraph

Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper. Summary Paragraph For these reasons, it is important to exercise the right to vote. Through this process our beliefs and concerns are conveyed. Although many election contests are won by comfortable margins, some have been so close that a single vote has made the difference. We must show the world the importance of voting in a democracy. So if you don’t like the way things are going now, there is something you can do about it. VOTE. Ending PUNCH

Step 7: Vocabulary Review your paragraphs. Can you add adjectives (describing words) and interesting adverbs (describing action words)? ADJECTIVES ADVERBS

Step 7: Vocabulary BEFORE: Congress can help or hinder families trying to raise their children. AFTER: Congress can help or hinder hardworking families trying to raise their children.

Step 7: Vocabulary BEFORE: There have been many close elections for political office. AFTER: There have been many crucially close elections for political office.

Step 7: Vocabulary Remember: The more sophisticated vocabulary you use…the higher your score. bad dreadful

Step 8: Visual Expression Use metaphors and similes to give your essay more visual expression. There have been many political elections that have been as close as a barber’s shave. There have been many close elections for political office.

Step 9: Reread Your Work Reread your work to make sure you have: • Taken a stand and stay on the topic • Given your reasons in the introductory paragraph • Have paragraphs that support each reason • Elaborate on a reason in each paragraph • Have a summary paragraph that restates your reasons • Begin each paragraph with a transition word • Include adjectives, adverbs, similes, and metaphors

Remember • You will need more than three body paragraphs when you do this for the test. We are just practicing!!

Persuasive Writing