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 3: Example: Write oneComplete theanother Write graphic Example: Voting youorganizer. vote reason is your reason Every you way to state think 18-year think 18-year counts and your concerns olds should olds should is important. and beliefs. vote. 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 should bring to 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 Step 3 details 3:is Complete the graphic counts Write Example: Voting and is 3 details Writeimportant. your way to state your about beliefs.organizer. elections for office this Close concerns and about this Taxes

reason.

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 to practice "democracy which we vote. Through this process our beliefs and concerns are are trying to bring to others. Write 3 details conveyed. Although many election

Education

Summarize contests are won by comfortable your 3 Example being set about this margins, some have been so close that reasons. Demonstrate belief in democracy a single vote has made the 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 Everyone Step 3:can Complete the graphic counts Congress and is important. remembers Elaborate 2000 organizer. elections theoffice help or hinder Close for election between on elections for families trying to Close one Gore that ELABORATE Bush and 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: Complete the graphic Congress can 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 bring to others. have are trying to

Elaborate lost their lives in Example being set Iraq tryingone on to bring Demonstrate belief in democracy democracy and the right 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.

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.

Taxes
Education War
Congress can help or hinder families trying to raise their children

Close elections for laws/decisions

Send mandates to the government.

A list of transition words is online!

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.

Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper.

For example,
Voting is your way to state your concerns and beliefs.
Every vote counts and is Moreover, important. Close elections for office Close elections for laws/decisions
Everyone remembers the 2000 election between Bush and Gore that was too close to call for weeks.

Taxes
Education War
Congress can help or hinder families trying to raise their children

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.

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.
Dont 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.
Dont 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.
Every vote counts and is Moreover, important. Close elections for office Close elections for laws/decisions
Everyone remembers the 2000 election between Bush and Gore that was too close to call for weeks.

Next Paragraph

Taxes
Education War
Congress can help or hinder families trying to raise their children

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.

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. Education Next Paragraph War
Congress can help or hinder families trying to raise their children

Every vote counts and is Moreover, important. Close elections for office Close elections for laws/decisions
Everyone remembers the 2000 election between Bush and Gore that was too close to call for weeks.

Taxes

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.

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.
Every vote counts and is Moreover, important. Close elections for office Close elections for laws/decisions
Everyone remembers the 2000 election between Bush and Gore that was too close to call for weeks.

Taxes
Education War
Congress can help or hinder families trying to raise their children

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

For these reasons,

Next 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.

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.
Every vote counts and is Moreover, important. Close elections for office Close elections for laws/decisions
Everyone remembers the 2000 election between Bush and Gore that was too close to call for weeks.

Taxes
Education War
Congress can help or hinder families trying to raise their children

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.

For these reasons,

Summary 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.

Summary Paragraph
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 dont like the way things are going now, there is something you can do about it. VOTE.

Ending PUNCH

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 usethe higher your score.

bad

dreadful

Step 8: Visual Expression

Use metaphors and similes to give your essay more visual expression.

There have been There have been many political many close elections that have elections for been as close as a political office. barbers shave.

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