Persuasive Writing Prompts

1. Persuasive Writing Prompts Look at your notes on Persuasive Writing to help you practice how to respond to these types of prompts

2. Guidelines • You will be provided 45 minutes to respond to this type of prompt. • Use 5-10 minutes of this time to work on your pre-writing. • Pro/con chart (make sure your reasons don’t overlap and you choose the side you have the most reasons for, NOT the side you agree with) • Number your reasons weakest to strongest! • Four –square graphic organizer or the bacon and eggs graphic organizer are good pre-writing tools to use for this type of writing.

3. Sample Prompt #1 Writing Situation Middle school students like to express their individuality by the way they dress. However, your school dress code states that garments, such as T-shirts, that bear certain messages and names are unacceptable. Many students feel this limits their freedom of expression. Do you feel that T-shirts or other clothing that prominently carry such messages or names are appropriate to wear to school? Directions for Writing Write a letter to the Board of Education explaining your position on this controversial issue. Remember to use facts, examples, and other evidence to support your opinion.

4. Sample Prompt #2 Writing Situation Many students want to participate in school sports, but often, only the best athletes are allowed to play. This is exactly what your friend Tamika has discovered at her new school. She wanted to play on the school volleyball team this year, but during tryouts she was cut from the team and is very disappointed. While some students agree with the policy of trying out for school teams, others think that any student should be allowed to play. What do you think? Directions for Writing Write a letter to Tamika stating your point of view on this controversial issue: Is the purpose of school athletics to win or to give students the opportunity to play on school teams? State your position, and support it with reasons, examples, facts, and/or other evidence.

5. Sample Prompt #3 Writing Situation Your parents have told you that you are not allowed to associate with your best friend, Alice, anymore because her family is providing foster care for a baby with AIDS. What is your position on this issue? Directions for Writing Write a letter to your parents stating your position on this issue. Remember to use facts, examples, and other evidence to support your opinion.

6. Sample Prompt #4 Writing Situation As part of a proposed educational initiative in New Jersey, local school districts are responsible for providing required courses in both English language and Spanish language in order to increase the success of their programs. Because New Jersey has a large population of Spanish speakers, the state education department believes that teaching these students in their first language will help them learn better and more quickly. Because of the limited budget, however, the school board is concerned that they may not be able to provide the additional teachers or training needed for the program. They fear that they will lose state funding and accreditation even though 90% of the district’s students pass the state tests. What is your position on this issue? Directions for Writing Write a letter to your local school board stating your position on this issue. Remember to use facts, examples, and other evidence to support your opinion.

7. Sample Prompt #5 Writing Situation Mornings come early for students, and many teens are in such a hurry to make the bus and get to school on time that they don’t eat breakfast. The lack of energy for these young minds can be harmful to class activities as well as individual achievement. The Monroe Township School Board has thought about beginning a school breakfast program. This program will require an additional 15 minutes to be added to each day. Mr. Gorman is interested in the opinion of the students, and he has asked for letters from the student body supporting or opposing this issue. Directions for Writing Write a letter to Mrs. Chanley, your school principal, about your school having a possible school breakfast program. Would you agree or disagree that this is a good idea that could increase student achievement? Be specific with your opinion, and use facts and examples to express your opinion.

8. Sample Prompt #6 Writing Situation There has been a problem in your school cafeteria. Many students are complaining about the food saying that it doesn’t taste good or offer nutritional value. What is your position on this issue? Directions for Writing Write a letter to the head of the cafeteria persuading him or her to serve the food you want. Remember to use facts, examples, and other evidence to support your opinion.

9. Sample Prompt #7 Writing Situation Monroe Township Middle School has decided to ban all chocolate chip cookies at lunch because they are unhealthy and make the students hyper. What is your position on this issue? Directions for Writing Write a letter to the head of the cafeteria stating your position on this issue. Remember to use facts, examples, and other evidence to support your opinion.

10. Sample Prompt #8 Writing Situation Your local public library has come under criticism for allowing patrons under the age of 18 to check out books that are unacceptable. The books are either explicit, describe graphic violence, or use questionable language. Most recently, a high school senior checked out James Joyce’s Ulysses. The student’s parents did not approve of the student reading the book and complained to the town council. As a result, the council is considering removing all questionable books from the library. What is your position on this issue? Directions for Writing Write a letter to the town council members stating your position on this issue. Remember to use facts, examples, and other evidence to support your opinion.

11. Sample Prompt #9 Writing Situation As part of a new technology initiative, your local school district is increasing the number of computers in every school. The district plan provides for three computers in every classroom. Teachers at your school are lobbying instead to place all the computers together, creating two computer-based classrooms so that all students in a class can work at the computers together, rather than only two or three students at a time. The district is worried about the additional cost of creating and maintaining these special classrooms and is concerned about how access to the classrooms can be provided fairly and efficiently. What is your position on this issue? Directions for Writing Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper stating your position on this issue. Remember to use facts, examples, and other evidence to support your opinion.

12. Sample Prompt #10 Writing Situation Your sister, Dora, has lost interest in school and her grades are dropping. As a result, she will need to repeat the ninth grade. Dora has decided to quit school and work more hours as a waitress to support herself. She says she’ll get her diploma later. What is your position on this issue? Directions for Writing Write a letter to your sister, Dora stating your position on this issue. Remember to use facts, examples, and other evidence to support your opinion.