Persuasive Writing

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Canned Lesson

• Persuasive Writing

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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.

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Step 2 Take a stand.

• Think about the stand that will provide three
  reasons for argument.

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Step 3 Prepare the graphic organizer.

• Now fold your paper into 4 squares.

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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.

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Step 3 Complete the graphic organizer.
Write one reason you think 18-year olds should
vote.
Example Every vote counts and is important.
Example Voting is your way to state your
concerns and beliefs.
Write another reason you think 18-year olds
should vote.

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

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.
Write another reason you think 18-year olds
should vote.
Summarize your 3 reasons.
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Step 3 Complete the graphic organizer.

• 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

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

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.
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Step 3 Complete the graphic organizer.
Elaborate on one detail.

• Example Voting is your way to state your
  concerns and beliefs.
• Taxes
• Education
• War

ELABORATE

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

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Step 3 Complete the graphic organizer.

• 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.
Elaborate on one detail.
ELABORATE

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

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Step 3 Complete the graphic organizer.
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.

• 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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Step 6 From the graphic organizer to the paper.

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

Dont 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.
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Step 6 From the graphic organizer to the paper.

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

Dont 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.
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Step 6 From the graphic organizer to the paper.
Next Paragraph
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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?
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Step 6 From the graphic organizer to the paper.
Next Paragraph
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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
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Step 6 From the graphic organizer to the paper.
Next Paragraph
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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
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Step 6 From the graphic organizer to the paper.
Summary Paragraph
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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 dont like the way things are going
now, there is something you can do about it.
VOTE.
Summary Paragraph
Ending PUNCH
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Step 7 Vocabulary
Review your paragraphs. Can you add adjectives
(describing words) and interesting adverbs
(describing action words)?
ADJECTIVES
ADVERBS
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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.
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Step 7 Vocabulary
BEFORE There have been many close elections
for political office.
AFTER There have been many crucially close
elections for political office.
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Step 7 Vocabulary
Remember The more sophisticated vocabulary you
usethe higher your score.
bad
dreadful
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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 barbers shave.
There have been many close elections for
political office.
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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