Cluster 2: Writing to Persuade
WRITING SITUATION:
Americans love their junk food. Cheezy fries, cheese steaks, creamfilled doughnuts, cookies, double chocolate chip muffins, Snapple,
Mesquite BBQ chips, and fruit snacks galore are available at
convenience stores near you. These foods are also available in your
school cafeteria. Many consumer groups are concerned that too
much "junk food" is being sold in school cafeterias state wide, and
these groups want to take action. The Governor seeks to ban junk
food in schools. Will this change your lunch menu? What do you
think about this controversial issue?
DIRECTIONS FOR WRITING:
Since you will be directly affected by this new state ban on junk
food in school cafeterias, you have a strong opinion to share with
our state legislature. Write a letter to the Governor of New Jersey
with your opinion on the junk food ban in schools. Do you agree or
disagree with this issue? Will you miss your cheese fries? Be
specific, and include details, facts, or anecdotes to back up your
opinion. Begin your letter with: Dear Governor:
Cluster 2: Writing to Persuade
WRITING SITUATION:
Mornings come early for students, and many teens are in such a
hurry to make the bus and get to school on time that they don't eat
breakfast. The lack of energy for these young minds can be
detrimental to class activities as well as individual achievement
scores. Your school board has thought about beginning a school
breakfast program. This program will require school to start 15
minutes earlier or end fifteen minutes later each day. Your school
principal is interested in the opinion of the students, and your
administrator has asked for letters from the student body
supporting or opposing this issue.
DIRECTIONS FOR WRITING:
Write a letter to the principal of your school about your school
having a possible school breakfast program. Would you agree that
this is a good idea that could increase student achievement? Would
you agree that the extra time added to the school day would be
beneficial, or would you oppose having an extra 15 minutes added
to the school day? Be specific with your opinion, and use facts,
examples, or anecdotes to express your opinion. Begin your letter
with:
Dear Principal,
Cluster 2: Writing to Persuade
WRITING SITUATION:
The tween generation, kids 8-13, are the newest powerhouse in
pop culture. Products are marketed and entertainment developed
to appeal to this age group. Tweens everywhere watch young girls
and boys rise to stardom overnight. There are shows promoting
instant success, such as American Idol, Making the Band, and Star
Search. There are young stars that get cast in the role, instead of
working their way to stardom as more bands, TV shows, and movies
are put out each year appealing to this generation. As these
entertainers are put to the test, some are caught lip syncing while
others fall apart after a brief moment in the spotlight. Is it too easy
for tweens to become famous? Are we doing a wrong to both
tweens and the entertainment industry by allowing them to believe
in the instant overnight dream of success?
DIRECTIONS FOR WRITING
:
Since you are a tween and part of the group that is directly
marketed in the entertainment industry, write an editorial for a
popular teen magazine voicing your opinion on the overnight
success of tween entertainers. Do these tweens have actual talent?
Are we encouraging a false sense of talent or dreams by allowing
them all of the fame with minimal hard work? Should various
television shows and movies be allowed to take advantage of the
tween superstars? Back up your opinion with details, facts, or
anecdotes.
Sample Prompts
WRITING SITUATION:
Many school districts in your area have recently adopted a not so
new educational concept. Kindergarten through 8th grade schools
are back. Kindergarten students will attend school with students all
the way up to the 8th grade. Statistics have shown that the students
who attend middle schools do not do as well on standardized tests
as schools that have students from grades Kindergarten-8. In
addition, studies say K-8 schools have less discipline problems, and
academic achievement is higher. Your school is interested in
making changes and including kindergarten, first, second, third,
fourth, fifth, and sixth grade students to your building. What is your
opinion about this controversial issue?
DIRECTIONS FOR WRITING:
Your school newspaper will publish essays that express the opinion
of middle level learners. Write an essay to be published in the
editorial section of your school newspaper that contains your
opinion of a possible K to 8 change. Do you think a K to 8 school
will be beneficial to the learner, or do you think that changing your
school will create too many problems? State your opinion, and be
specific so that you convince your audience that your thoughts are
valid. Support your thoughts with facts, anecdotes and examples.
Sample Prompts
WRITING SITUATION:
Too many Anytown Middle School students are not doing well with
their homework assignments. The students claim they cannot do
their daily homework assigments because many students have part
time jobs. Since homework isn't being completed, poor test scores
are accumulating in teachers' roll books. Your principal has decided
to act so that all middle school students have the opportunity to
succeed. The principal has decided to forbid approving all working
papers. This way, there would be no excuses like, "I couldn't do my
school work because of my part time job." What is your opinion
about this subject?
DIRECTIONS FOR WRITING:
Write a letter to your principal with your opinion of the new school
rule where working papers will not be allowed or approved for any
student. Is your principal being too strict? Is the principal only
looking out for the well being of all students? State your opinion,
and be specific so that you convince your audience that your
thoughts are valid. Support your thoughts with facts, anecdotes,
and examples. Begin your letter with:
Dear Principal,