PERSUASIVE ESSAY #1 Writing to persuade…

The Prompt… READ: The school board for SISD has determined that there have been too many discipline infractions and tardies during B lunch at Montwood High School. They have passed an initiative that will change Sophomores from A lunch to B lunch in an effort to curb the discipline infractions both on and off campus and reduce tardies. Sophomores will now have A lunch with the freshman and will not be allowed to leave the campus.

The Prompt… READ: The school board for SISD has determined that there have been too many discipline infractions and tardies during B lunch at Montwood High School. They have passed an initiative that will change Sophomores from A lunch to B lunch in an effort to curb the discipline infractions both on and off campus and reduce tardies. Sophomores will now have A lunch with the freshman and will not be allowed to leave the campus. THINK: Will this initiative reduce the amount of discipline infractions and tardies? Why, or why not?

The Prompt… READ: The school board for SISD has determined that there have been too many discipline infractions and tardies during B lunch at Montwood High School. They have passed an initiative that will change Sophomores from A lunch to B lunch in an effort to curb the discipline infractions both on and off campus and reduce tardies. Sophomores will now have A lunch with the freshman and will not be allowed to leave the campus. THINK: Will this initiative reduce the amount of discipline infractions and tardies? Why, or why not? WRITE: Write an essay to be presented to the SISD school board that either supports or opposes this new initiative.

Plan out your essay…  First, formulate a thesis statement presenting a clearly defined position concerning the initiative.  Ask yourself: Is it going to be effective? Why, or why not?

Plan out your essay…  Find a partner that is taking the same position as you.  We are going to work with our partners to brainstorm support for our positions.  On a sheet of paper take turns listing support for your position. Partner A will start (longest hair) Partner B will go next. Keep going until time expires. Try not to “pass” on your turn.

Plan out your essay…  Review your support. Working with your partner determine what type of appeal you are making…  Write the type of appeal in parentheses Ethos – Credibility/Trustworthiness Pathos - Emotional Logos – Fact-based argument

Plan out your essay…  Review your support. Working with your partner, find connections among ideas in your list.  Do you have arguments that support each other? Take notes of any relationships you see in your list of arguments/support.

Plan out your essay…  Review your support. Working with your partner determine what arguments are the strongest…  Rank them 1-10 (or however many you have).  1 is the strongest argument

Plan out your essay…  Find a new partner (if possible someone taking an opposing position)  Write down the strongest argument they have (if they took an opposing position to your own)  If they have the same position as you, brainstorm the strongest argument you can think of for the opposing side and write it down.

Plan out your essay… Use an outline format to plan an essay using your strongest arguments… I. Thesis II. Main Idea (logos-based arguments) I. Supporting Detail II. Supporting Detail III. Main Idea (pathos-based arguments) I. Supporting Detail II. Supporting Detail IV. Conclusion I. Opposing Viewpoint II. Rebuttal and reinforcement of main points.