Persuasive Writing Step 1 Read the prompt carefully

Persuasive Writing

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 old 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. Now fold your paper into 4 squares.

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.

Step one 3: Complete theanother graphic Example: Write Example: reason is Voting your reasonvote you organizer. Every thinkto 18 -year way state think 18 -year counts and is olds should your concerns olds should important. vote. beliefs. and vote. Voting is not only the privilege but the responsibility of every 18 year-old. It is important to exercise the right Example: Through Write another voting we practice reason you "democracy“ which think 18 -year we are trying to olds to should bring others. vote. 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. Summarize your 3 reasons.

Example: Every vote counts Step 3: Complete the graphic Write 3 details Example: Voting is and is important. Write 3 details your way to state your about this organizer. • Close elections concerns and beliefs. about this for office reason. • Taxes • Education • Close elections for reason laws/decisions • Send mandates to the • War government. Voting is not only the privilege but the responsibility of every 18 year-old. Example: Through voting we It is important to exercise the right practice "democracy“ which weto vote. Through this process our beliefs and concerns are conveyed. are trying to bring to others. Write 3 details Although many election contests Summarize are won by comfortable margins, your 3 • Example beingthis set about some have been so close that a singlereasons. vote has made the • Demonstrate belief in democracy reason. difference. We must show the • Respect for lives being lost protecting democracy world the importance of voting in a democracy.

Step 3: Complete the graphic Elaborate organizer. on one • Taxes detail. • Education Example: Voting is your way to state your concerns and beliefs. ELABORATE • War Voting is not only the privilege but the responsibility of every 18 year-old.

Example: Every vote counts Everyone Step 3: Complete the graphic Congress can and is important. remembers the 2000 Elaborate organizer. help or hinder • Close elections for office election between on one • Close elections for families trying to ELABORATE Bush and Gore that laws/decisions detail. raise their was too close to call • Send mandates to the for weeks. children government. Voting is not only the privilege but the responsibility of every 18 year-old.

Everyone Step 3: can Complete the graphic Congress remembers the 2000 organizer. help or hinder election between families trying to Bush and Gore that raise their was too close to call for weeks. children Voting is not only the privilege but the responsibility of every 18 year-old. Example: Through 2, 000 American voting we practice "democracy“ which we Troops that have are trying to bring to others. Elaborate lost their lives in • Example set Iraq trying to bring on being one • Demonstrateand belief democracy theinright detail. to vote for lives being lost • Respect to that nation. protecting democracy ELABORATE

Step 5: Add transitions. For example, Voting is your way to state your concerns and beliefs. • Taxes • Education Congress can help or hinder families trying to raise their children • War Moreover, Every vote counts and is important. • Close elections for office Everyone remembers the 2000 election between Bush and Gore that was too close to call for weeks. • Close elections for laws/decisions • Send mandates to the government. In other Voting is not only the privilege words, but the responsibility of every 18 year-old. 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 2, 000 American Troops that have lost their lives in Iraq trying to bring democracy and the right to vote to that nation. For these reasons, 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. A list of transition words is online!

For example, Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper. Voting is your way to state your concerns and beliefs. • Taxes • Education Congress can help or hinder families trying to raise their children • War Every vote counts and is Moreover, important. • Close elections for office Everyone remembers the 2000 election between Bush and Gore that was too close to call for weeks. • Close elections for laws/decisions • Send mandates to the government. In other Voting is not only the privilege words, but the responsibility of every For these reasons, 18 year-old. 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 2, 000 American Troops that have lost their lives in Iraq trying to bring democracy and the right to vote to that nation. 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. Each square will become a paragraph.

Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper. • The introductory paragraph (the center box) sums up each reason. Voting is not only the privilege but the responsibility of every 18 year-old. 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.

Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper. • Begin the introductory paragraph with a hook. Samples of hooks can be found online. Don’t like the way things are now? Well there is something you can do about it. Vote. Voting is not only the privilege but the responsibility of every 18 year-old. 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.

Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper. • Begin the introductory paragraph with a hook. Samples of hooks can be found online. Don’t like the way things are now? Well there is something you can do about it. Vote. Voting is not only the privilege but the responsibility of every 18 year-old. 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.

Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper. For example, Voting is your way to state your concerns and beliefs. Next Paragraph • Taxes • Education Congress can help or hinder families trying to raise their children • War Every vote counts and is Moreover, important. • Close elections for office Everyone remembers the 2000 election between Bush and Gore that was too close to call for weeks. • Close elections for laws/decisions • Send mandates to the government. In other Voting is not only the privilege words, but the responsibility of every For these reasons, 18 year-old. 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 2, 000 American Troops that have lost their lives in Iraq trying to bring democracy and the right to vote to that nation. 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.

Step 5: From the graphic organizer to the paper. Next Paragraph For example, voting is your way to state your concerns and beliefs. How do you feel about raising taxes? What is important in the way of education for your children or your family? Congress can help or hinder families trying to raise their children. Your vote leads Congress in making those decisions. What signal do you want to send your representatives about the war?

Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper. For example, Voting is your way to state your concerns and beliefs. • Taxes • Education Next Paragraph Congress can help or hinder families trying to raise their children • War Every vote counts and is Moreover, important. • Close elections for office Everyone remembers the 2000 election between Bush and Gore that was too close to call for weeks. • Close elections for laws/decisions • Send mandates to the government. In other Voting is not only the privilege words, but the responsibility of every For these reasons, 18 year-old. 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 2, 000 American Troops that have lost their lives in Iraq trying to bring democracy and the right to vote to that nation. 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.

Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper. Next Paragraph Moreover, every vote counts and is important. 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 a close election for a change in laws or a local decision. Through exercising your vote you send mandates to the government.

Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper. For example, Voting is your way to state your concerns and beliefs. • Taxes • Education Congress can help or hinder families trying to raise their children • War Every vote counts and is Moreover, important. • Close elections for office Everyone remembers the 2000 election between Bush and Gore that was too close to call for weeks. • Close elections for laws/decisions • Send mandates to the government. In other Voting is not only the privilege words, but the responsibility of every For these reasons, 18 year-old. Through voting we practice "democracy“ which we are trying to bring to others. Next Paragraph • Example being set • Demonstrate belief in democracy • Respect for lives being lost protecting democracy 2, 000 American Troops that have lost their lives in Iraq trying to bring democracy and the right to vote to that nation. 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.

Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper. Next Paragraph In other words, through voting we practice "democracy“ which we are trying to bring to others. Through registering to vote we set an example of our belief and demonstration of democracy. Voting shows a respect for the lives being lost protecting democracy for others, particularly in Iraq. 2, 000 American Troops that have lost their lives in Iraq trying to bring democracy and the right to vote to that nation.

Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper. For example, Voting is your way to state your concerns and beliefs. • Taxes • Education Congress can help or hinder families trying to raise their children • War Every vote counts and is Moreover, important. • Close elections for office Everyone remembers the 2000 election between Bush and Gore that was too close to call for weeks. • Close elections for laws/decisions • Send mandates to the government. In other Voting is not only the privilege words, but the responsibility of every For these reasons, 18 year-old. Through voting we practice "democracy“ which we are trying to bring to others. • Example being set Summary Paragraph • Demonstrate belief in democracy • Respect for lives being lost protecting democracy 2, 000 American Troops that have lost their lives in Iraq trying to bring democracy and the right to vote to that nation. 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.

Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper. Summary Paragraph Ending PUNCH For these reasons, 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.

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

Step 7: Vocabulary BEFORE: Congress can help or hinder families trying to raise their children. AFTER: Congress can help or hinder hardworking families trying to raise their children.

Step 7: Vocabulary BEFORE: There have been many close elections for political office. AFTER: There have been many crucially close elections for political office.

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

Step 8: Visual Expression Use metaphors and similes to give your essay more visual expression. Therehavebeen manypolitical close electionsthat for have been as close as a political office. barber’s shave.

Step 9: Reread Your Work Reread your work to make sure you have: Taken a stand 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