Persuasive Writing

Step 1: Read the prompt carefully before you begin.

Writing Situation: Many eighteen year olds who are old enough to vote, choose not to register, not participating in elections. Do you think it is important to register and exercise your right to vote?

Consider the reasons one would want to register and participate in elections.

Directions for Writing: Now write a persuasive essay stating whether or not eighteen year old should register and participate in elections. Give reasons to support your position arguing in such a convincing manner that others will agree with you.

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.

Step 3: Complete the graphic organizer.

Voting is not only the privilege but the responsibility of every 18 year-old.

Write one reason you think 18-year olds should vote.

Example: Every vote counts and is important.

Example: Through voting we practice "democracy“ which we are trying to bring to others.

Summarize your 3 reasons.

Example: Voting is your way to state your concerns and beliefs.

Write another reason you think 18-year olds should vote.

Write another reason you think 18-year olds should vote.

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.

Step 3: Complete the graphic organizer.

Voting is not only the privilege but the responsibility of every 18 year-old.

Write 3 details about this reason.

Example: Every vote counts and is important.

•Close elections for office

•Close elections for laws/decisions

•Send mandates to the government.

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.

Example: Voting is your way to state your concerns and beliefs.

•Taxes

•Education

•War

Write 3 details about this reason

Write 3 details about this reason.

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.

Step 3: Complete the graphic organizer.

Voting is not only the privilege but the responsibility of every 18 year-old.

Elaborate on one detail.

Example: Voting is your way to state your concerns and beliefs.

•Taxes

•Education

•War

ELABORATE

Step 3: Complete the graphic organizer.

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

Elaborate on one detail.

ELABORATE

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

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.

Elaborate on one detail.

2,000 American Troops that have lost their lives in Iraq trying to bring democracy and the right to voteto that nation.

ELABORATE

Step 5: Add transitions.

Voting is your way to state your concerns and beliefs.

•Taxes

•Education

•War

Every vote counts and is important.

•Close elections for office

•Close elections for laws/decisions

•Send mandates to the government.

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.

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.

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,

In other words,

For these reasons,

A list of transition words is

online!

Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper.

Voting is your way to state your concerns and beliefs.

•Taxes

•Education

•War

Every vote counts and is important.

•Close elections for office

•Close elections for laws/decisions

•Send mandates to the government.

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.

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.

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,

In other words,

For these reasons,

Each square will become a

paragraph.

Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper.

• The introductory paragraph (the center box) sums up each reason.

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.

Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper.

• Begin the introductory paragraph with a hook. Samples of hooks can be found online.

Don’t like the way things are now? Well there is something you can do about it. Vote. 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.

Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper.

• Begin the introductory paragraph with a hook. Samples of hooks can be found online.

Don’t like the way things are now? Well there is something you can do about it. Vote. 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.

Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper.

Voting is your way to state your concerns and beliefs.

•Taxes

•Education

•War

Every vote counts and is important.

•Close elections for office

•Close elections for laws/decisions

•Send mandates to the government.

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.

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.

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,

In other words,

For these reasons,

Next Paragraph

Step 5: From the graphic organizer to the paper.

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?

Next Paragraph

Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper.

Voting is your way to state your concerns and beliefs.

•Taxes

•Education

•War

Every vote counts and is important.

•Close elections for office

•Close elections for laws/decisions

•Send mandates to the government.

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.

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.

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,

In other words,

For these reasons,

Next Paragraph

Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper.

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.

Next Paragraph

Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper.

Voting is your way to state your concerns and beliefs.

•Taxes

•Education

•War

Every vote counts and is important.

•Close elections for office

•Close elections for laws/decisions

•Send mandates to the government.

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.

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.

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,

In other words,

For these reasons,

Next Paragraph

Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper.

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.

Next Paragraph

Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper.

Voting is your way to state your concerns and beliefs.

•Taxes

•Education

•War

Every vote counts and is important.

•Close elections for office

•Close elections for laws/decisions

•Send mandates to the government.

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.

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.

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,

In other words,

For these reasons,

Summary Paragraph

Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper.

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.

Summary Paragraph

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 ExpressionUse metaphors and similes to give your essay more visual expression.

There have been many close elections for political office.

There have been many political elections that have been as close as a barber’s shave.

Step 9: Reread Your WorkReread 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