1. Persuasive Writing Lesson 2
Canned Lesson
Persuasive Writing Lesson 2

3. Step 1: Read the prompt carefully before you begin.
Writing Situation: Writing Situation: Many cities are requiring children under the age of 16 to wear helmets while biking, scooting, skateboarding, rollerblading, and skiing.
Consider the advantages and disadvantages of wearing helmets.
Directions for Writing: Write a persuasive essay stating whether children under the age of 16 should be required wear helmets. Give reasons to support your position arguing in such a convincing manner that others will agree with you.

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

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

6. 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.

7. Step 3: Complete the graphic organizer.
Example: Non-helmet use can cause more traffic fatalities.
Step 3: Complete the graphic organizer.
Write one reason you think helmets should be required.
Example: Children under the age of 16 feel invincible.
Write another reason you think helmets should be required.
Children under the age of 16 should be required to wear helmets while biking, scooting, skateboarding, rollerblading, and skiing.
Write another reason you think helmets should be required.
Example: Physical injury from these types of accidents make demands on our health care system.
It is important to wear a helmet. This is one way to prevent fatalities. Children under the age of 16 need someone looking out for them because they feel invincible. The serious physical injuries resulting from not wearing a helmet put a real strain on the health care system.
Summarize your 3 reasons.

8. Step 3: Complete the graphic organizer.
Example: Children under the age of 16 feel invincible.
Lack of maturity
Understanding of consequences Video games – get another life.
Step 3: Complete the graphic organizer.
Write 3 details about this reason.
Example: Non-helmet use can cause more traffic fatalities.
Head injuries
Reckless
Unnecessary grief
Write 3 details about this reason
Children under the age of 16 should be required to wear helmets while biking, scooting, skateboarding, rollerblading, and skiing.
Example: Physical injury from these types of accidents make demands on resources.
Long term care
Health Care expense
Convalescent Home
It is important to wear a helmet. This is one way to prevent fatalities. Children under the age of 16 need someone looking out for them because they feel invincible. The serious physical injuries resulting from not wearing a helmet put a real strain on the health care system.
Summarize your 3 reasons.
Write 3 details about this reason.

9. Step 3: Complete the graphic organizer.
Example: Non-helmet use can cause more traffic fatalities.
Head injuries
Reckless
Unnecessary grief
Step 3: Complete the graphic organizer.
Elaborate on one detail.
ELABORATE
Children under the age of 16 should be required to wear helmets while biking, scooting, skateboarding, rollerblading, and skiing.

10. Step 3: Complete the graphic organizer.
An unhelmeted motorcyclist is 40 %more likely to suffer a fatal head injury and 15% more likely to suffer a nonfatal injury than a helmeted motorcyclist when involved in a crash.
Step 3: Complete the graphic organizer.
Those under 16 do not often consider the dedication of a loved one caring for a quadriplegics resulting from an unhelmeted accident.
Example: Example: Children under the age of 16 feel invincible.
Lack of maturity
Understanding of consequences
Video games – get another life.
Elaborate on one detail.
ELABORATE
Children under the age of 16 should be required to wear helmets while biking, scooting, skateboarding, rollerblading, and skiing.

11. Step 3: Complete the graphic organizer.
Those under 16 do not often consider the dedication of a loved one caring for a quadriplegics resulting from an unhelmeted accident.
An unhelmeted motorcyclist is 40 %more likely to suffer a fatal head injury and 15% more likely to suffer a nonfatal injury than a helmeted motorcyclist when involved in a crash.
Step 3: Complete the graphic organizer.
Example: Example: Children under the age of 16 feel invincible.
Lack of maturity
Understanding of consequences
Video games – get another life.
Elaborate on one detail.
Children under the age of 16 should be required to wear helmets while biking, scooting, skateboarding, rollerblading, and skiing.
NHTSA estimates that motorcycle helmet use saved $19.5 billion in economic costs from 1984 through 2002.
Elaborate on one detail.
Example: Physical injury from these types of accidents make demands on resources.
Long term care
Health Care expense
Convalescent Home
ELABORATE

12. A list of transition words is online!
Step 5: Add transitions.
For example,
Moreover,
Children under the age of 16 feel invincible.
Lack of maturity
Understanding of consequences
Video games – get another life.
A list of transition words is online!
Non-helmet use can cause more traffic fatalities.
Head injuries
Reckless
Unnecessary grief
An unhelmeted motorcyclist is 40 %more likely to suffer a fatal head injury and 15% more likely to suffer a nonfatal injury than a helmeted motorcyclist when involved in a crash.
Those under 16 do not often consider the dedication of a loved one caring for a quadriplegics resulting from an unhelmeted accident.
In other
words,
For these
reasons,
Children under the age of 16 should be required to wear helmets while biking, scooting, skateboarding, rollerblading, and skiing.
It is important to wear a helmet. This is one way to prevent fatalities. Children under the age of 16 need someone looking out for them because they feel invincible. The serious physical injuries resulting from not wearing a helmet put a real strain on the health care system.
Physical injury from these types of accidents make demands on resources.
Long term care
Health Care expense
Convalescent Home
NHTSA estimates that motorcycle helmet use saved $19.5 billion in economic costs from 1984 through 2002.

13. A list of transition words is online!
Step 5: Add transitions.
For example,
Moreover,
Children under the age of 16 feel invincible.
Lack of maturity
Understanding of consequences
Video games – get another life.
A list of transition words is online!
Non-helmet use can cause more traffic fatalities.
Head injuries
Reckless
Unnecessary grief
An unhelmeted motorcyclist is 40 %more likely to suffer a fatal head injury and 15% more likely to suffer a nonfatal injury than a helmeted motorcyclist when involved in a crash.
Those under 16 do not often consider the dedication of a loved one caring for a quadriplegics resulting from an unhelmeted accident.
In other
words,
For these
reasons,
Children under the age of 16 should be required to wear helmets while biking, scooting, skateboarding, rollerblading, and skiing.
It is important to wear a helmet. This is one way to prevent fatalities. Children under the age of 16 need someone looking out for them because they feel invincible. The serious physical injuries resulting from not wearing a helmet put a real strain on the health care system.
Physical injury from these types of accidents make demands on resources.
Long term care
Health Care expense
Convalescent Home
NHTSA estimates that motorcycle helmet use saved $19.5 billion in economic costs from 1984 through 2002.

14. Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper.
For example,
Moreover,
Children under the age of 16 feel invincible.
Lack of maturity
Understanding of consequences
Video games – get another life.
Non-helmet use can cause more traffic fatalities.
Head injuries
Reckless
Unnecessary grief
An unhelmeted motorcyclist is 40 %more likely to suffer a fatal head injury and 15% more likely to suffer a nonfatal injury than a helmeted motorcyclist when involved in a crash.
Those under 16 do not often consider the dedication of a loved one caring for a quadriplegics resulting from an unhelmeted accident.
Each square will become a paragraph.
For these
reasons,
In other
words,
Children under the age of 16 should be required to wear helmets while biking, scooting, skateboarding, rollerblading, and skiing.
It is important to wear a helmet. This is one way to prevent fatalities. Children under the age of 16 need someone looking out for them because they feel invincible. The serious physical injuries resulting from not wearing a helmet put a real strain on the health care system.
Physical injury from these types of accidents make demands on resources.
Long term care
Health Care expense
Convalescent Home
NHTSA estimates that motorcycle helmet use saved $19.5 billion in economic costs from 1984 through 2002.

15. Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper.
The introductory paragraph (the center box) sums up each reason.
Children under the age of 16 should be required to wear helmets while biking, scooting, skateboarding, rollerblading, and skiing. Not wearing a helmet results in more fatalities. Helmets take care of children who do not understand the full consequences of their choices. Many resources are tapped caring for those injured as a result of not wearing a helmet.

16. Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper.
Mark Twain once said, “Laws control the lesser man... Right conduct controls the greater one.” This can also be said of the helmet law. Children under the age of 16 should be required to wear helmets while biking, scooting, skateboarding, rollerblading, and skiing. Not wearing a helmet results in more fatalities. Helmets take care of children who do not understand the full consequences of their choices. Many resources are tapped caring for those injured as a result of not wearing a helmet.
Begin the introductory paragraph with a hook. Samples of hooks can be found online.

17. Step 6: From the graphic organizer to paper.
Moreover,
For example,
Next Paragraph
Children under the age of 16 feel invincible.
Lack of maturity
Understanding of consequences
Video games – get another life.
Non-helmet use can cause more traffic fatalities.
Head injuries
Reckless
Unnecessary grief
An unhelmeted motorcyclist is 40 %more likely to suffer a fatal head injury and 15% more likely to suffer a nonfatal injury than a helmeted motorcyclist when involved in a crash.
Those under 16 do not often consider the dedication of a loved one caring for a quadriplegics resulting from an unhelmeted accident.
Children under the age of 16 should be required to wear helmets while biking, scooting, skateboarding, rollerblading, and skiing.
For these
reasons,
In other
words,
It is important to wear a helmet. This is one way to prevent fatalities. Children under the age of 16 need someone looking out for them because they feel invincible. The serious physical injuries resulting from not wearing a helmet put a real strain on the health care system.
Physical injury from these types of accidents make demands on resources.
Long term care
Health Care expense
Convalescent Home
NHTSA estimates that motorcycle helmet use saved $19.5 billion in economic costs from 1984 through 2002.

18. Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper.
Next Paragraph
For example, non-helmet use can cause more traffic fatalities. Those not wearing helmets are more prone to head injuries. An unhelmeted motorcyclist is 40 % more likely to suffer a fatal head injury and 15% more likely to suffer a nonfatal injury than a helmeted motorcyclist when involved in a crash. Those reckless enough to endanger themselves without wearing a helmet are more likely to also endanger others. These actions cause unnecessary grief.

19. Step 6: From the graphic organizer to paper.
Moreover,
For example,
Children under the age of 16 feel invincible.
Lack of maturity
Understanding of consequences
Video games – get another life.
Next Paragraph
Non-helmet use can cause more traffic fatalities.
Head injuries
Reckless
Unnecessary grief
An unhelmeted motorcyclist is 40 %more likely to suffer a fatal head injury and 15% more likely to suffer a nonfatal injury than a helmeted motorcyclist when involved in a crash.
Those under 16 do not often consider the dedication of a loved one caring for a quadriplegics resulting from an unhelmeted accident.
Children under the age of 16 should be required to wear helmets while biking, scooting, skateboarding, rollerblading, and skiing.
For these
reasons,
In other
words,
It is important to wear a helmet. This is one way to prevent fatalities. Children under the age of 16 need someone looking out for them because they feel invincible. The serious physical injuries resulting from not wearing a helmet put a real strain on the health care system.
Physical injury from these types of accidents make demands on resources.
Long term care
Health Care expense
Convalescent Home
NHTSA estimates that motorcycle helmet use saved $19.5 billion in economic costs from 1984 through 2002.

20. Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper.
Next Paragraph
Moreover, children under the age of 16 feel invincible. They lack the maturity to make such crucial decisions on their own. Those under 16 do not often consider the dedication of a loved one caring for a quadriplegics resulting from an unhelmeted accident. They lack the ability to not fully understand the consequences of their choices. Video games give young people a false sense of a chance at another opportunity at life.

21. Step 6: From the graphic organizer to paper.
Moreover,
For example,
Children under the age of 16 feel invincible.
Lack of maturity
Understanding of consequences
Video games – get another life.
Non-helmet use can cause more traffic fatalities.
Head injuries
Reckless
Unnecessary grief
An unhelmeted motorcyclist is 40 %more likely to suffer a fatal head injury and 15% more likely to suffer a nonfatal injury than a helmeted motorcyclist when involved in a crash.
Those under 16 do not often consider the dedication of a loved one caring for a quadriplegics resulting from an unhelmeted accident.
Children under the age of 16 should be required to wear helmets while biking, scooting, skateboarding, rollerblading, and skiing.
For these
reasons,
In other
words,
Next Paragraph
It is important to wear a helmet. This is one way to prevent fatalities. Children under the age of 16 need someone looking out for them because they feel invincible. The serious physical injuries resulting from not wearing a helmet put a real strain on the health care system.
Physical injury from these types of accidents make demands on resources.
Long term care
Health Care expense
Convalescent Home
NHTSA estimates that motorcycle helmet use saved $19.5 billion in economic costs from 1984 through 2002.

22. Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper.
Next Paragraph
In other words, physical injury from these types of accidents make demands on resources. Those suffering from injuries received from not wearing helmets often require long term care. The cost to the health care system is great. NHTSA estimates that motorcycle helmet use saved $19.5 billion in economic costs from 1984 through Many spend months in convalescent homes.

23. 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

24. Step 6: From the graphic organizer to paper.
Moreover,
For example,
Children under the age of 16 feel invincible.
Lack of maturity
Understanding of consequences
Video games – get another life.
Non-helmet use can cause more traffic fatalities.
Head injuries
Reckless
Unnecessary grief
An unhelmeted motorcyclist is 40 %more likely to suffer a fatal head injury and 15% more likely to suffer a nonfatal injury than a helmeted motorcyclist when involved in a crash.
Those under 16 do not often consider the dedication of a loved one caring for a quadriplegics resulting from an unhelmeted accident.
Children under the age of 16 should be required to wear helmets while biking, scooting, skateboarding, rollerblading, and skiing.
For these
reasons,
In other
words,
Summary
Paragraph
It is important to wear a helmet. This is one way to prevent fatalities. Children under the age of 16 need someone looking out for them because they feel invincible. The serious physical injuries resulting from not wearing a helmet put a real strain on the health care system.
Physical injury from these types of accidents make demands on resources.
Long term care
Health Care expense
Convalescent Home
NHTSA estimates that motorcycle helmet use saved $19.5 billion in economic costs from 1984 through 2002.

25. Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper.
Summary
Paragraph
For these reasons, it is important to wear a helmet. This is one way to prevent fatalities. Children under the age of 16 need someone looking out for them because they feel invincible. The serious physical injuries resulting from not wearing a helmet put a real strain on the health care system. Protect yourself and others…wear a helmet!
Ending PUNCH

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

27. Step 7: Vocabulary BEFORE: Many resources are tapped
caring for those injured as
a result of not wearing a
helmet.
AFTER:
Many precious resources
are exhausted caring for
those seriously injured as
a result of not wearing a
helmet.

28. Step 7: Vocabulary bad dreadful
Remember: The more sophisticated vocabulary you use…the higher your score.
bad
dreadful

29. Step 8: Visual Expression
Use metaphors and similes to give your essay more visual expression.
The cost to the health care system is great.
The cost to the health care system drains our economy like a leaky faucet.

30. 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