Lesson 5 - Persuasive Writing

Unit 1:  Theory

LESSON 5:  PERSUASIVE WRITING (2 DAYS)

"For the great enemy of the truth is very often not the lie - deliberate, contrived, and dishonest - but the myth - persistent, persuasive, and unrealistic. Too often we hold fast to the cliches of our forebears. We subject all facts to a prefabricated set of interpretations. We enjoy the comfort of opinions without the discomfort of thought." - American President John F. Kennedy

RESOURCES

persuasive writing NOTES
video game ban ASSIGNMENT
persuasive writing RUBRIC

INTRODUCTION

There will occasions in your life when being persuasive will be beneficial or even necessary. How persuasive are your letter-writing and speech-making abilities?  If you're asked to write a business letter or to make a speech are you up to the task?  This lesson will help you to prepare for such a situation.

Unit 1:  Theory

LESSON 5:  PERSUASIVE WRITING 

LESSON  (SELF - CHECK)

• Read and study the notes on PERSUASIVE WRITING that you have downloaded and printed.
• Study the PERSUASIVE WRITING rubric that you have downloaded and printed.
• Read and study the Video Game Ban ASSIGNMENT that you have downloaded and printed.

ASSIGNMENT

1. Complete the "Video Game ban" assignment outlined in the document.

Since you are writing a letter that is to be persuasive, be sure to make your response as detailed as possible. Choose the details that will support your position and be the most convincing.

Future assignments will be marked using the persuasive writing rubric, so be sure to refer to this while completing this lesson.

Go to the next page to check your answers.  If you have questions, please email your teacher.

Unit 1:  Theory

LESSON 5:  PERSUASIVE WRITING (2 DAYS)

Self Check Answers

Answers may vary. If you do not understand something, contact your teacher.

Write a letter to Prosper Town Council that will persuade them to either ACCEPT or REJECT the proposed video game ban.

Based on the information package, organize your notes as follows, then use the notes to write your persuasive letter.

For banning video games                                                                                                                     

• These games promote questionable values
• These games glorify of senseless violence
• There is potential for a link between make believe violence and real violent behavior
• A ban of video games will support school administrators in their efforts to ensure games are not played by children
• Potential for negative long tern consequences to exposing young people to constant violence. At worst, this will desensitize people to real violence.
• It may also contribute to future violent behavior

people under the age of 18 cannot drink in bars or vote in elections; they should not be sidestepping the ratings process when it comes to adult-oriented video games either. (school counselor)

Against banning video games

• A video game ban is a violation of students' rights
• parents are responsible for determining what is appropriate for their own children
• A ban is difficult to enforce
• New banning video rules only complicates teachers' roles if having to enforce while trying to teach

Some psychologists have theorized that make-believe violence offers an outlet or release for those with aggressive tendencies, and may reduce the likelihood of such people committing real acts of violence. (prosper resident)

Good evening everyone.
This evening I would like to talk about the proposal to ban of specific video game on school grounds throughout Prosper Schools. Although there may be arguments in favor of banning video games throughout Prosper Schools, this is both difficult to legislate and unwarranted. 
(continue to present your facts in a similar pattern to this).

Or...

Good evening everyone.
This evening I would like to talk about the proposal to ban of specific video game on school grounds throughout Prosper Schools. While parents should be allowed jurisdiction over what video games their children play at home, schools should be responsible for securing the safety of all students within the educational facilities. This means they should have the right to ban video games that are inappropriate so that they may reduce all student exposure to such games. 
(continue to present your facts in a similar pattern to this).

Unit 1:  Theory

LESSON 5:  PERSUASIVE WRITING 

CONCLUSION

You have reviewed various concepts and suggestions relating to persuasive writing. Store this information in the "NOTES" section of your binder for quick referral as you progress through this course.