Name: ____________________________________

English 10
Persuasive Writing/Thesis Statements

Date: ______________________

Directions: Read each persuasive prompt, and compose a thesis that states your point of view on
the topic.
Prompt 1: Do colleges place too much emphasis on standardized testing?
- Pro Thesis
- Anti Thesis
- 3 supporting points
- counterargument
Prompt 2: Should the government have a say in our diet choices?
- Pro Thesis
- Anti Thesis
- 3 supporting points
- counterargument
Prompt 3: Do violent video games cause negative behavior in children/teens?
- Pro Thesis
- Anti Thesis
- 3 supporting points
- counterargument
Prompt 4: Is competition healthy for teens?
- Pro Thesis
- Anti Thesis
- 3 supporting points
- counterargument
Prompt 5: Is fashion important in the work place?
- Pro Thesis
- Anti Thesis
- 3 supporting points
- counterargument

Name: ____________________________________
English 10
Persuasive Writing/Ethos

Date: ______________________

Directions: Read the passages below and answer the three questions listed for EACH passage.
You are to answer in COMPLETE SENTENCES in paragraph form; try using the sentences you
have learned in class.
What is the authors point of view? What kind of character is used to establish
merit for the argument? What kinds of counterarguments are made?
1.

Should smoking cigarettes be banned in the U.S.?

Smoking cigarettes has become more popular within the past ten years. Although the

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) restricts cigarette and tobacco advertisements, cigarette
popularity is still on the rise. Many cigarette smokers pick up their first cigarette at a very young
age; however, this is detrimental to their health. Dr. Louis, who has conducted numerous studies
on the effects of smoking, believes that smoking not only causes cosmetic damages, but it also
damages the bodys respiratory system. Some people use smoking as a way to cope with stress
and events that disrupt their lives, but there are alternatives to dealing with the stress that do not
damage ones health (Louis, p.76). Because smoking cigarettes is harmful to ones health, it
should be banned in the United States to prevent people from destroying their futures.

2.

Should we protect our planets well-being?

For years, many have tried to make the world aware of global climate change,

specifically global warming. These scientists and political figureheads have educated the young
and old about the consequences of damaging our world with toxins and waste. George Allen, an
advocate of global warming and former Presidential candidate, stresses the importance of going
green. He and other advocates take action against global climate change, and believe that it is
unfair for the current generation to harm the environment for future generations (Allen, p.98).
Yet, those who argue that the global climate is not changing do not support any kind of
preventative action; however, we cannot simply watch the world waste away. If we hope to
leave a clean, healthy world for our grandchildren, we must take action now to prevent more
pollution and harm.

3.

Should consumers pursue plastic surgery to mask an imperfection?

In a society that values physical appearances, many people are turning to plastic surgery

as a remedy for imperfections. Ladies who are aging try to mask the wrinkles and facial lines
with face lifts or Botox treatments. Although some may argue that Botox treatment is not a form
of plastic surgery, it is a form of unnatural remedy(Johnson, p.45). Toxins and foreign chemicals
are being placed inside ones body; in addition, they disrupt the natural balance in ones body.
Dr. George Johnson from Oxford University in London discourages people from polluting their
body. Plastic surgery not only changes ones appearance, but could cause permanent damage,
states Dr. Johnson. Because there are more risks than benefits, plastic surgery should be avoided
by all mankind.

4.

Should school systems implement school uniforms?

For years, the debate over school uniforms has existed. Some school divisions have

successfully implemented uniforms with its student body; thus, the school environment has
improved. In contrast, some school divisions have failed at implementing uniforms. As a result,
the school environment has not improved as predicted (Thomas, p.17). Advocates of school
uniforms claim the students behave better when in uniform; however, school divisions like
Chicago have disproved this fact. When Jordan Heights High School implemented the policy,
the students had many more distractions during their day (Thomas, p.12). They tried to set
themselves apart from their peers rather than focus on academics. Principal Allen Taylor states
that forcing students to become uniform conflicts with their inner- desires; thus, it becomes a
distraction from their learning in the classroom (Thomas, p.12). As one can see, school uniforms
should not be forced upon students due to the complications that are involved.

Name: ____________________________________
English 10
Persuasive Writing/Pathos

Date: ______________________

Directions: Read the passages below and answer the three questions listed for EACH passage. You are to
answer in COMPLETE SENTENCES in paragraph form; try using the sentences you have learned in
class.
Underline the thesis statement. What is the authors point of view? What kind of emotion is
used to establish merit for the argument? What supporting details are stated? What kinds of
counterarguments are made? What kind of research material is used?
1. Should an employee who makes a mistake at work be fired?
While it is true that stumbling employees should be reprimanded, let us pause and think for a
while about the more serious consequences of firing them. Employees with meager salaries barely have
enough to sustain the needs of their families; their only source of living is their wage. Stern employers
may fire imperfect employees due to performance mistakes; however, this cuts them off from their lifesource. In these trying economic times, finding another job is as difficult as keeping one (York). Feeding
their families will become a struggle. Imagine their small children starving because their parents are
barely able to buy ample food. Paying the monthly rent or mortgage will become a burden. Imagine a
family being deprived of shelter because of their inability to pay. Only a heartless human being can take
all these for granted. While it is true that erring employees should be reprimanded, they should not be
fired immediately from their work.
Work Cited
York, Franklin. These Trying Times: The Importance of Keeping a Job. Pearson: Boston. 2008.
Print.
2.

Do humans cause harm to the environment?

Recently, many have tried to make the world aware of effects of polluting the Earth. Advocates

for a cleaner Earth have educated the young and old about the consequences of damaging our world with
toxins and waste. When humans destroy the Earth with pollutants, they are destroying more than just that
area. The toxins in the water damage animal populations, making it difficult for them to thrive. Oil
spills in Alaska have hurt the polar bear population critically (Allen, p. 13). These precious animals have
a tough time swimming in their environment due to the oil pollution. In addition, the animals fur is
damaged from the oil, which adds to their struggle to survive. Some humans do not recognize their
actions have devastating effects; they refuse to see that they are doing harm. However, they are crimpling

the polar bear and other animal civilizations. In order to help these poor animals, humans must do their
part and stop polluting the environment with harmful toxins and waste.
Work Cited
Allen, George. "Global Warming: Its Devastating Effects." Global Warming Awareness. 22.10
(2011): 12-18. Web. 2 May 2012. www.globalwarmingeffects.org.
3. Tell us why your parent should win the Parents of America Association annual award.
My mother is the greatest mother anyone could have. She is the first one in the house to rise in
the morning, and the last one to bed at night. Daily, she works to provide for her three children; she wants
us to have the luxuries she couldnt have as a child. Growing up, my mothers family could never afford
things like a car, a television, or a washer and dryer. Her lack of luxury drove her to make the most of her
opportunities; in that, she was determined to go to college to achieve a better life. Because my mother
now works full-time, my siblings and I can have items she never had, and we fully appreciate her sweat
at the office. Other candidates for the Parents of America Association (PAA) may have dramatic stories
to tell, but my mothers perseverance trumps any drama they may have. Since my mother is dedicated to
always doing the best for her children, she should win the PAA annual award.
4. Should the Chicago City Public Schools system implement school uniforms?
School uniforms have been a popular discussion in the Chicago City Public Schools in recent
months. Many administrators and other faculty believe students will benefit from uniforms because it
stresses the importance of school. Yet, it would only stress the student out, and make academic success a
problem. When a student attends school, he/she is trying to make an impression on his/her peers;
likewise, the student may want to express his/her personality through the latest fashion (Thompson, p.
234). With uniforms in place, the school would be one big cookie cutter- like society; students would
have to succumb to the boringness of uniformity. Though administrators believe uniforms will be more
focused on their academics, this could lead to a fall in academic focus. Students may look for other ways
to make an impression or express their personalities; some outlets may not be as conservative as fashion.
Students in the Chicago City Public Schools should not be forced to wear school uniforms due to the
possibility of suppressing ones true self.
Work Cited
Thompson, Sal. School Uniforms: A Stiffening Trend. Penguin Books: New York. 2000.
Print.

Name: ____________________________________
English 10
Persuasive Writing/Logos

Date: ______________________

Directions: Read the passages below and answer the three questions listed for EACH passage.
You are to answer in COMPLETE SENTENCES in paragraph form; try using the sentences you
have learned in class.
Writethethesisstatement.Whatistheauthorspointofview?Whatkindoflogic
isusedtoestablishmeritfortheargument?What supporting details are stated? What kind of
counterargument is made? What kind of research material is used?

1.Shouldclasssizesbelimitedto2025students?
As a senior at Patrick Henry High School, Ive noticed that the greatest problem facing
public schools is large class size. For the past three years, certain circumstances have allowed
me to attend smaller classes in English and history. Now that the pilot program is over, and I am
once again enrolled in regular-size classes: 35-40 students. Comparing the former experience
with my current situation, in which my English class is comprised of more than 40 students, the
advantages of smaller classes become readily apparent. In my current English class, effective
teaching and learning have been sacrificed to the administrative advantage of fewer classes
holding greater numbers of students. Although in terms of test scores the class has been deemed
successful, student participation in such a large class is limited to a select few. Jones states that
with larger class sizes, individual conferences with the teacher are reduced by 50% due to the
large numbers, group projects are meaningless, and papers take weeks to get graded
(www.advocates.org). In smaller classes, however, 100% of the students are able to participate.
Because classes are more focused, the teacher develops a closer relationship with the students
(Jones). If the public school system were to cut class size in half, to approximately 15 to 20
students each, the benefits would manifest themselves immediately.
Work Cited
Jones,Arnold.ToughTimesinaLargeClass.Web.10April2010.www.advocates.org