Persuasive Writing: From the top down. Step 1: Read the prompt carefully before you begin. Writing Situation: Many eighteen year olds who are old enough

Persuasive Writing: From the top down

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 olds should register and participate in elections. Give reasons to support your position, arguing in such a convincing manner that others will agree with you.

Step 2: Take a stand.

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

Step 3: Prepare the graphic organizer.

Draw your Because tableIntroduction (Opinion):

Because… Because… Because…

Conclusion:

Step 4:State Your Position on the Table Top

Introduction (Opinion): Voting is not only the privilege but the responsibility of every 18 year-old.


Conclusion:

Step 5: Complete the Because columns


Because…voting is your way to state your concerns and beliefs

Because…every vote counts and is important

Because…through voting we practice democracy which we are trying to bring to others

Conclusion:

Step 6: Summarize





Conclusion: It is important to exercise our right to vote.

Step 7: Add three details to each Because



•Taxes

•Education

•War


•Close elections for office

•Close elections for laws/decisions

•Send mandates to the government.


•Example being set

•Demonstrate belief in democracy

•Respect for lives being lost protecting democracy


Step 8: Add transitions.

For example,For instance,

Finally,

Therefore,



•Taxes

•Education

•War










In addition,

More Persuasive Transitions While, first, meanwhile, soon, Then, after, second, today, later, Next, third, finally, likewise, also, while, in the same way, similarly, although, even though, again, truly, especially, for this reason, to repeat, in fact, to emphasize, as a result, in conclusion, lastly, therefore, all in all, because, again, another, for instance, for example, also, moreover, additionally, as well, besides, along with, other, next, finally, in addition

Step 9: From the graphic organizer to the paper.

The top is the introduction,

each column a body

paragraph and the floor the conclusion



•Taxes

•Education

•War











• The introductory paragraph (the table top) sums up each reason and ends with your thesis (opinion statement).

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


• Add a hook to the beginning of the introductory paragraph.

Don’t like the way things are now? There is something you can do about it…vote. 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. Voting is not only the privilege but the responsibility of every 18 year-old.


Next Paragraph



•Taxes

•Education

•War











Voting is the way to state your concerns and beliefs. For example, if you are opposed to raising taxes, voting is how you make your opinion known. You can block tax increases and tell your representative your opinion about the issue with your vote. What about education? You can impact decisions that will affect your kid’s education by casting your vote. Do you agree with the decisions being made about war? For all these issues, your vote leads Congress in making decisions.

Next Paragraph


Next Paragraph



•Taxes

•Education

•War











In addition, every vote counts and is important. For instance, 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 not only a close election but also a change in laws or a local decision. Through exercising your vote you send mandates to the government about elections and laws that impact your community.

Next Paragraph


Next Paragraph



•Taxes

•Education

•War











Finally, through voting we practice "democracy“ which we are trying to bring to others. By registering to vote, we set an example of our belief in and support of democracy. It also shows respect for the lives being lost protecting that democracy for others, particularly in Iraq. Over 2,000 American Troops have lost their lives in Iraq trying to bring democracy and the right to vote to that nation. Voting is the main way support our democracy.

Next Paragraph


Summary Paragraph



•Taxes

•Education

•War











Therefore, 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 don’t like the way things are going now, there is something you can do about it. VOTE.

Summary Paragraph

Ending PUNCH

Step 10: Vocabulary

Review your paragraphs. Can you add adjectives (describing words) and interesting adverbs (describing action words)?

ADJECTIVES ADVERBS

http://jc-schools.net/write/adj-list.htm

http://jc-schools.net/write/ly.htm

Step 10: VocabularyBEFORE: You can impact decisions that will affect your child’s education by casting your vote.

AFTER: You can impact vital decisions that will affect your child’s education by casting your vote.

Step 10: Vocabulary

BEFORE:There have been many close elections for political office.

AFTER:There have been many crucially close elections for political office.

Step 10: Vocabulary

Remember: The more sophisticated vocabulary you use…the higher your score.

bad

dreadful

Step 11: Visual ExpressionUse metaphors and similes to give your essay more visual expression.

There have been many close elections for political office.

Step 12: SyntaxCheck for ways to make your wording better:

•change casual words phrases to be more formal

•change passive voice to active voice

. . . affect your kid’s education . . .

Do you agree with the decisions being made about war?

Step 13: Reread Your WorkReread your work to make sure you have:

Taken a stand and stayed 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 and use appropriate transitions between examples

Include adjectives, adverbs, similes, and metaphors

Now You Try

Step 1: Read the Prompt

Writing SituationGirls and boys often enjoy playing the same sports. Some

people believe that girls and boys should be able to play on the same team. What is your opinion on this issue?

Writing Directions

Write an essay stating your opinion and supporting it with convincing reasons. Be sure to explain your reasons in detail.

Step 2: Take a Stand

On your paper, write your opinion. Keep in mind which side would be easiest for you to write.

Step 3: Because Table (Top Down)

Introduction (Opinion):


Conclusion:

Step 4, 5, & 6

• State your opinion on the table’s top

• Fill in the because columns each with one controlling idea

• Summarize in one statement

Step 7

• List 3 ideas under each because reason

Step 8• Add transitional words and/or phrases

Documents

Persuasive Writing: From the top down. Step 1: Read the prompt carefully before you begin. Writing Situation: Many eighteen year olds who are old enough