Persuasive Writing

Example: When you write a speech that tells why you should be elected class president or when you try to convince your parents to extend your curfew, you are being persuasive.

writing used to convince the reader to agree with the opinion, take an action or to adopt a belief

A long-term study conducted by medical students at Stanford concluded that playing an instrument dramatically decreases stress, which has a direct impact on overall health. Sure, there are other ways to decrease stress, like yoga and meditation, but do you really think that your students would engage in these activities? Most kids think that those practices are for grown-ups, but playing an instrument in a classroom every day and practicing at home is something that we would do, given the opportunity. There are many students here who would like to play an instrument, but with only two instructors, some of us are stuck in other electives that we did not choose.

Additionally, the general health of your students has a very strong correlation to their academic performance. One of the most important reasons that you should hire an additional music teacher is that it is proven that students who are involved in music programs have an 85% college attendance rate, as opposed to those not involved in music, who only go on to attend college 40% of the time. While a higher education is definitely something to strive for for the sake of becoming a well-rounded American citizen, a college degree practically guarantees a higher standard of living. In the long run, students who are involved in music programs have a much higher income because they graduated from college. College graduates, on average, earn $500,000 more over a lifetime than those with just a high school diploma.

The health of Haile’s students would improve if you chose to add a Physical Education teacher instead of a music teacher, but music instruction has also been directly correlated to improved academic performance. Not only will students’

“THE MRS.” a strategy to use in persuasive writing

TIME- saves time, helps the reader have more time for other things

HEALTH- improves health, reduces stress

EDUCATION (Environment)- improves education, aids understanding, will help the environment

MONEY- saves money, helps the reader to make more money

RESPONSIBILITY/respect - remind the reader of their responsibility as an individual

SAFETY- increases safety, is a safety factor, saves lives

Example Prompt: A new law has passed and teens now have the opportunity to drive a year earlier than before. Persuade your parents to allow you to get your license a year early.

Environment/EducationI will be encouraged to

keep my grades up so that I can keep my driving privileges.

Respect/Responsibility

Being a driver will help me become more responsible as a young adult.

I will gain responsibility with more independence on the road.

TIME

Letting me drive a year early will save you time.

You will now have extra time to spend doing your favorite hobbies.

Money

As a driver, I will be able to get a job and help contribute financially to the family.

HealthYour health- Spending less time on the roads will decrease your stress level and improve your overall health.

My health- I will be able to drive myself to football practice which keeps me healthy and out of trouble.

Safety

It will be much safer for me to responsibly drive myself, than to ride in a car with my friends.

Riding my bike to school on a busy highway is dangerous; I will be much safer in my protective vehicle.

Sample Prompt #2:

Your school is planning to add a teacher in one of the following areas: art, music, or PE. Write to convince your principal to hire a teacher in the field of your choice.

Can you identify the strategy?

“Studies have shown that music, whether listened to or played, decreases stress, which has a direct impact on overall wellness.”

“Additionally, the general health of your students has a very strong correlation to their academic performance.”

“One of the most important reasons that you should hire an additional music teacher is that it is proven that students who are involved in music programs have an 85% college attendance rate, as opposed to those not involved in music, who only go on to attend college 40% of the time.”

In the long run, students who are involved in extracurricular activities and music programs have a much higher income because they graduated from college. College graduates, on average, earn $500,000 more over a lifetime than those with just a high school diploma.

“When faced with such compelling reasons, how can you not make the right choice? As principal, it is your moral and ethical duty to make the best choices for the students, and there is only one choice to make: hire an additional music teacher.”

Now, look back at the four arguments presented. Which three are related and could be put together in a cohesive paragraph?

Dear Mrs. Kerley,

It has come to my attention that our school has been granted additional funds, and you are planning to hire a new teacher. Would you like to see a healthier, more energetic student body with higher grades and FCAT scores than ever before? If so, then hiring an additional music teacher would be the best option. Students who are involved in music programs are in better overall health and show much higher academic achievement, which has many positive long-term benefits.