Designed by Sara MasonStandard: 2.4 Write persuasive letters or compositions

You’ve witnessed first-hand the differing opinions we have in our classroom.

The 4-Corners activity has prepared you well for your next step.

President Obama has asked the voice of the younger generation to be added to his cabinet. The White House has sent every school in the nation a challenge:

The students who show the greatest talent in persuasion shall be invited to join the president in his decision making for the good of our nation

You will choose three of the five following topics you feel strongly about. You may not necessarily get your first choice.

On your paper, you will write the three topics you would like to research. Next to each write the word ‘support’ or ‘oppose’.

Then, label the topics in order of preference with #1 being the most preferred.

Each topic will be assigned to four students – two supporting and two opposing.

Each individual will write a persuasive essay and each pair will create a poster to share with the class. Pencils ready?

Cursive should no longer be taught in school.

Children under the age of 16 should not be allowed to play violent video games.

Using animals to test products for humans is wrong.

It is better to live somewhere warm all year round than live somewhere that has very differing seasons.

Dance, cheerleading, and chess are not sports, even if they compete.

After you’ve been assigned your topic… Research, research! We all agreed that during 4-

Corners our arguments would be better supported with factual evidence. Here’s your chance.

Provided are links to help you. Remember you will need at least one fact or a quote from a respected source for each of the three arguments.

You will also need to document your sources. Use the following link to print bibliography guide sheets.

http://switzerland.tasis.com/page.cfm?p=692

http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2009-01-23-cursive-handwriting_N.htm

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1912419,00.html

http://www.boston.com/ae/books/articles/2009/01/19/cursive_foiled_again/

http://articles.cnn.com/2008-11-03/health/healthmag.violent.video.kids_1_violent-video-video-games-game-genres?_s=PM:HEALTH

http://www.apa.org/science/about/psa/2003/10/anderson.aspx

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7912743/

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/350087/positive_effects_of_video_games_on.html

Http://www.kids4research.org/kids/

http://www.petakids.com/disindex.asp

World Book Online – ‘animal testing’ – student book

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/viewpoints/articles/0903poste0903.html?&wired

http://www.sandiego.org/article_set/Visitors/6/65

http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0762183.html

http://www.kidsdiscovernature.com/2011/02/13-cool-things-to-do-with-snow.html

http://www.themountaineer.com/missed-school-days-annoying-students-staff-4566

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38347400/ns/us_news-life/

http://www.teenink.com/nonfiction/sports/article/15172/Cheerleading-is-a-Sport/

http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1827716,00.html

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/sport

Use the provided rubric to ensure that you have completed everything accurately for both assignments

You will receive an individual grade for your essay

You will also receive a joint grade for the poster you have designed with your partner

Congratulations! You’ve completed your task.Now that you’re finished, let’s reflect on your

learning.

What was the most difficult part of this process?What was the easiest? What would you change in the future?Did you ever feel as you researched that you might

be on the wrong side?Do you feel you may have influenced the opinions

of others with your essay or oral presentation?

Persuasive Essay Writing Webquest http://teacherweb.com/WQ/HighSchool/

PersuasiveEssayWebQuest/index.html TeacherWeb, Inc. 2000-2011 WebQuest: The Truth…and Nothing but the TRUTH! http://www.pampetty.com/persuasivestudent.htm Pam Petty 2.25.2007 Webquest: The Power of Persuasive Writing http://volweb.utk.edu/Schools/bedford/harrisms/

studentpage.htm Betsy Norris and Donna Brock 6.30.2001