Step One: Identify the Issue

Convince Me! Persuasive Writing Language Arts 8

Identify an issue that you feel strongly about, establish a position on that issue, research that issue, and present a well-supported persuasive argument (a 2-4 page persuasive essay) convincing your audience of your position in an articulate and professional manner. Once this is complete, you will also deliver a persuasive speech with a visual aid. I know you can all do this successfully!

Step One: Identify the Issue In order to do this assignment successfully, you must identify an issue that you feel strongly about. Be sure to select something that is of interest to you so that you will stay engaged throughout the assignment! *You may NOT use your debate topic!

Some topic suggestions to get the brain working: Textbooks vs. tablets in schools Alternative energy vs. fossil fuels Year-round school Fracking (hydraulic fracturing) Animal testing Immigration reform Cloning NSA wiretapping Social networks and young adults Climate change Driving age Video games and violence Voting age Concealed carry laws

Step Two: Establish your Position Now that you have an issue, what is your POSITION on that issue? Write a clear position statement to guide your research and writing.

Questions to ask yourself:

How do I feel about this issue? Why do I feel this way? Do I need to find out more information about my topic before I establish my position?

To build your position statement, start with your opinion and follow up with several reasons that support that opinion. When you write your essay, these reasons will each serve as the main idea for a support paragraph! You can certainly have more than three reasons – this is just a suggestion.

EXAMPLES:

Metal detectors are not needed in our school because our school is safe for the most part, they may cause more problems than they prevent, and there are better possible solutions.

Schools should require all students to wear uniforms because they are more cost- effective for families, eliminate students’ stress caused by social pressures to wear the “right” brands, and reduce behavior issues that result from dress code violations. YOU TRY IT:

MY OPINION IS: ______

______

I FEEL THIS WAY BECAUSE:

1. ______

2. ______

3. ______

SO MY POSITION STATEMENT* IS: ______

______

*Remember, this will be your OPINION + your REASONS

If you are having trouble coming up with reasons, that’s OK! You will come up with more support reasons as you gather your research. You may even change your position statement to reflect these new reasons! That’s OK! It’s a work in progress!

Step Three: Gather your Research Now that you have your position statement, it’s time to gather research to adequately support your position. Remember, without this researched support, your essay is just full of opinions. Opinions aren’t enough for a formal academic essay!

Questions to ask yourself before you research:

What do I already know about my issue? What information do I want to know? What are some resources I can use to find out more information?

Because you will be conducting RESEARCH to support your position, you will be required to turn in a properly formatted (MLA) bibliography/works cited page with your final draft. Please follow the proper MLA format as outlined in the “How to Write a Works Cited Page/Bibliography” handout. Step Four: Plan your Essay Before you actually type a first draft, it’s important to mock up an outline of what your essay should look like. If you write an effective outline, the rough draft will be a breeze!

Suggested outline format:

1. Introduction Paragraph a. Open with a striking image or other attention grabber. b. Present your POSITION statement. 2. Body Paragraph 1: REASON #1 a. Start with a topic sentence that clearly states your first supporting argument b. Give details and evidence to back up that argument 3. Body Paragraph 2: REASON #2 a. Start with a topic sentence that clearly states your second supporting argument b. Give details and evidence to back up that argument 4. Body Paragraph 3: REASON #3 a. Start with a topic sentence that clearly states your third supporting argument b. Give details and evidence to back up that argument 5. Conclusion Paragraph a. Summarize your arguments. b. Restate your focus statement c. Close with a memorable image, brief story, or phrase.

*You may have additional support paragraphs! Each support paragraph should focus on one specific supporting argument, providing evidence to back it up.

Step Five: Write your Essay Using the outline you have already written, type a first draft of your persuasive essay.

Keep the following requirements in mind:  2-4 pages (not including your bibliography) typed, double spaced,  12 pt. Times New Roman font (including your title, name, and bibliography)  Leave 1-1 ¼” margins  Your bibliography/works cited page will be in proper MLA format and should include a minimum of three sources. (If there is no bibliography, essay is automatically considered plagiarized and will be given NO CREDIT)

Rubric goals:  Ideas/Focus: Takes a clear position and supports it consistently with well-chosen reasons and/or examples; may use persuasive strategy to convey an argument.  Organization: Is focused and well organized, with effective use of transitions.  Voice: The voice is consistently formal, professional, and confident.  Word Choice: The writer’s exceptional word choice skillfully conveys the message.  Sentence Fluency: The elevated style and variety of the sentences skillfully convey the message.  Conventions: Error free.

*We will go through several rounds of drafting and editing before turning in final drafts! Step Six: Present your Argument to the Class Now that you’ve done extensive research on your position and crafted a professional, well- supported persuasive essay, it is time to see just how convincing you are. You will present your essay/speech to the class using a minimum of one visual aid to enhance your presentation (poster, video, PowerPoint, etc.).

Keep in mind the following guidelines: o Deliver your speech without READING it directly. That means don’t bury your face in your speech! Notecards are a GREAT tool for presentations! o Make eye contact o Exhibit good posture o Project your voice at an appropriate volume and pace, using inflection to highlight appropriate parts of your speech. o Um… um… um… um… um… Annoying? Imagine having to listen to that! Be confident! o Don’t dance around, shift from foot to foot, play with your hair, chew gum, put your hands in your pocket, or do anything else that distracts from your speech! o Make sure your visual aid is professional, neat, relevant, creative, and INCORPORATED into your presentation! *If you do a PowerPoint, be careful not to rely too heavily on it! It should be a complement to your speech, not a crutch for your speech!

PROJECT CALENDAR *Tentative – Dates May Change!!* 12/16 12/17 12/18 12/19 12/20 Intro Topics & Position Computer Lab - Computer Lab - Statements due Research Research Work on Topics & Position Statements Computer Lab - Research

12/23-1/3: No School – Winter Break M 1/6 T 1/7 W 1/8 R 1/9 F 1/10 Work on OUTLINE for Work on OUTLINE for *Outline Due Computer Lab – type 1st Computer Lab – type 1st Persuasive Essay Persuasive Essay Drafts Drafts Computer Lab – type 1st Drafts M 1/13 T 1/14 W 1/15 1/16 1/17 1st Drafts Due (with Computer Lab - type 2nd Computer Lab - type 2nd 2nd Drafts Due (with *End 2nd 9 wks bibliography!) Drafts Drafts bibliography!) Finish peer/self revision Peer Revise/Edit in Peer Revise/Edit in class class M 1/20 T 1/21 W 1/22 R 1/23 F 1/24 No School – MLK Day COMPUTER LAB – *Late Arrival FINAL DRAFTS OF PERSUASIVE Type Finals (with PERSUASIVE ESSAYS SPEECHES Bibliography!) & work on COMPUTER LAB – (WITH BIBLIO) DUE! presentation/visual aid Type Finals (with Bibliography!) & work on In class: Prep for presentation/visual aid speeches M 1/27 T 1/28 PERSUASIVE PERSUASIVE SPEECHES SPEECHES