1. In your last module, you learned the four steps to write a clear and simple persuasive essay. During that lesson, you were provided a topic that directly affected you and your schedule(shortening your lunch period), and it was easy to choose a side. This lesson will show you how to choose a side when the topic provided doesn’t affect you either way, or you have no interest in. Persuasive Essay – Writing with a purpose

2. Lesson Preview 1.Brainstorming 2.List the positives and negatives of the topic 3.Choose a side and write an opening paragraph *Materials needed – paper and pencil

3. 1. Brainstorming – (Consider the student has already had practice in brainstorming from previous lessons)There are many different ways to brainstorm ideas and thoughts and get them on to paper, we often use graphic organizers to keep things organized. In this case, creating a web will be most useful. With your given topic, you will want to list all of the good things and bad things that will happen. Click here to see an example of a web. here

4. Now it is your turn to test your skills in brainstorming ideas about a certain topic. Before you move on to the next slide, use pencil and paper and create a web of ideas that will help you decide which side to take. Your topic: A local businessman wants to open a new family-friendly restaurant on the corner of your street. Before he breaks ground to build, he would like to hear positive and negative feedback from the local community. Challenge: Make a web with ideas about whether this businessman should build a restaurant or not. When your finished, click on the image to compare your ideas. ***Remember, all you are doing is listing ideas, you are not required to choose a side yet.

5. 2. Creating a list of positives and negatives: Now that you have created a web of ideas concerning this topic, you will organize your ideas into positive and negative affects. Use a T-chart to separate your ideas. This is what a T-chart might look like. Positives Negatives

6. In preparation for your last activity, put your brainstorming ideas into a T-chart. Be sure to organize them in a way that represents a positive and negative category. Once you have finished, go to the next page.

7. You’re last activity in this module is to decide which argument you’d like to make. Once you have written out the arguing points of both sides, you might find yourself leaning one way or the other. However, there will be topics that you just aren’t that interested in. In this case, your best option would be to choose the side that you can make the best argument for, the side that has the most arguments or bullet points. This will make it easier for you to complete your persuasive essay. For your last challenge, create an opening paragraph for this topic choosing a side and identify your reasons. When you finish you may compare you paragraph to the example provided. Example

8. Example of a web used as a graphic organizer

9. Brainstorming example How do your ideas compare to this piece? Do you have similar ideas? Different? Do you notice more positive or negative ideas on your paper?

10. Opening Paragraph Example: Opening a new restaurant in our neighborhood is a recipe for success! As a community, we are always looking for new local owners to open up. Building a new eating establishment will help produce more local business, create new jobs, and provide a meeting place for family and friends. How does your paragraph compare to this one? Remember that the opening paragraph should have a strong opening paragraph, clear indication of the side you are on, and the reasons why.

11. Summary: When given a topic that you are unfamiliar with or have no interest in follow these three steps; brainstorm, list the positive and negatives in a T-chart, and choose a side. Following these short steps will allow you to see both sides of the argument and make it easier for you to complete a persuasive essay. End Module