1. Persuasive Writing

2. Step 1: Read the prompt carefully before you begin. Writing Situation: Every day for the past month, the lunch period at school has become louder and less orderly. The principal has decided to solve these problems by making the lunch period a silent lunch. This has caused a conflict in your school. Write a letter to the principal expressing whether you agree or disagree with the principal’s decision. Use examples and other evidence to support your position. Directions for Writing: Now write a persuasive letter stating whether or not you agree with the principal’s decision. Give reasons to support your position arguing in such a convincing manner that others will agree with you.

3. Step 2: Take a stand. Think about the stand that will provide three reasons for argument.

4. Step 3: Prepare the graphic organizer. Now fold your paper into 4 squares.

5. 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.

6. Step 3: Complete the graphic organizer. The principal’s decision to make our lunch silent is a great solution. Write one reason you think lunch should (or should not) be silent. Example: Silent lunch cuts down on bullying. Example: Silent lunch prevents students from getting too rowdy for their afternoon classes. Summarize your 3 reasons. Example: Silent lunch will allow students to study. Write another reason you think lunch should (or should not) be silent. Write another reason you think should (or should not) be silent. A silent lunch -Encourages studying time -Prevents bullying -Keeps students from being too rowdy for their afternoon classes.

7. Step 3: Complete the graphic organizer. The principal’s decision to make our lunch silent is a great solution. Write 3 details about this reason. Example: Silent lunch cuts down on bullying. No teasing No leaving someone out of conversation Will cut down on gossip Example: Silent lunch will prevent students from becoming too rowdy for afternoon classes. No yelling in lunch Peaceful and relaxes Focused and ready for class Summarize your 3 reasons. Example: Silent lunch allows students to study. Tests Complete homework Review notes Write 3 details about this reason Write 3 details about this reason. A silent lunch -Encourages studying time -Prevents bullying -Keeps students from being too rowdy for their afternoon classes.

8. Step 3: Complete the graphic organizer. The principal’s decision to make our lunch silent is a great solution. Elaborate on one detail. Example: Silent lunch allows students to study. Tests Complete homework Review notes ELABORATE

9. Step 3: Complete the graphic organizer. The principal’s decision to make our lunch silent is a great solution. Example: Silent lunch cuts down on bullying. No teasing No leaving someone out of conversation Will cut down on gossip Students can use the time to review their notes for upcoming tests. Elaborate on one detail. ELABORATE Students will not have a chance to spread rumors about their classmates. This will mean less hurt feelings.

10. Step 3: Complete the graphic organizer. The principal’s decision to make our lunch silent is a great solution. Example: Silent lunch will prevent students from becoming too rowdy for afternoon classes. No yelling in lunch Peaceful and relaxed Focused and ready for class Students can use the time to review their notes for upcoming tests. Students will not have a chance to spread rumors about their classmates. This will mean less hurt feelings. Elaborate on one detail. Students will have a chance to think about their assignments for their afternoon classes And get organized. ELABORATE

11. Step 5: Add transitions. Example: Silent lunch allows students to study. Tests- Students can use the time to review notes for afternoon tests. Complete homework Review notes Example: Silent lunch cuts down on bullying. No teasing No leaving someone out of conversation Will cut down on gossip- Students will not spread rumors about classmates. Example: Silent lunch will prevent students from becoming too rowdy for afternoon classes. No yelling in lunch Peaceful and relaxes Focused and ready for class A silent lunch Encourages studying time Prevents bullying Keeps students from being too rowdy for their afternoon classes. The principal’s decision to make our lunch silent is a great solution. For example,Moreover, Most importantly,, For these reasons, Review your list of transition words!

12. Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper. Our lunch period should be silent 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. Example: Silent lunch will prevent students from becoming too rowdy for afternoon classes. No yelling in lunch Peaceful and relaxes Focused and ready for class 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. For example, Moreover, In other words, For these reasons, Each square will become a paragraph. A silent lunch -Encourages studying time -Prevents bullying -Keeps students from being too rowdy for their afternoon classes.

13. Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper. The introductory paragraph (the center box) sums up each reason. –Attention grabber –Intro topic –End with opinion statement Imagine a roomful of children. Imagine only hearing the peaceful munching of food and the occasional rustling of paper as students get ready for their afternoon. This is what our lunch period can be like if we continue with silent lunch. Silent lunch allows students to study, cuts down on bullying, and keeps students focused on learning. I agree with your decision to make our lunch period silent.

14. Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper. The first box will become your first supporting reason. The second box the second supporting reason, etc. First, a silent lunch will allow students to study. Many students have after school activities and sports and can use the time to study for tests and complete homework. For instance, I swim on a swimteam and practice four evenings a week. I have meets on most weekends. A silent lunch will allow me to use some time in school to keep up with work. In addition, many students will benefit from review their notes and preparing for afternoon classes too. Silent lunch will give us the much needed time to become better students.

15. Step 7: Vocabulary Review your paragraphs. Can you add adjectives (describing words) and interesting adverbs (describing action words)? ADJECTIVESADVERBS

16. Step 8: 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