Lesson Three - Persuasive Writing

Introduction

Lesson Three - Persuasive Writing
Duration - 1 block (1 x 80 min + homework)

"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

Unit One is heavy on notes. Do not panic - the remainder of the course is not like this!! This unit is designed as a review and presentation of the bulk of the theory (notes) that you will need for this course. Please print off the notes and rubric and store them in a separate binder for easy reference as you move through ELA 30-2.

There will come many times in your life when being persuasive will be 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.

Resources

NOTES
persuasive writing 

TEMPLATE
Persuasive Writing Guide

RUBRIC
persuasive writing

EXAMPLES
samples of students' persuasive writing

Websites
How to Write Persuasive Letters

VIDEO

Lesson

Read and study the NOTES on persuasive writing.
Study the RUBRIC for persuasive writing.

CAREFULLY READ the EXAMPLES document.  It contains samples of student writing that have earned Satisfactory (60%), Proficient (80%), and Excellent (100%) on the diploma exam.  This is exactly how YOU will be assessed.

Explore the website and view the video on persuasive writing.

Read and study the Movie Theatre ASSIGNMENT.

Assignment

(30 marks)

Open a new Word document. Label it E302U1L3surname 
In this document, complete the persuasive writing assignment outlined below.
Submit this assignment using the Dropbox for U1L3 persuasive.

Complete the "Movie Theatre" assignment outlined in the linked document.

You may want to use the Persuasive Writing Guide to help you craft your response.

Since you are writing a speech or 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.

You should write at least five paragraphs and between 500-600 words:

1. Introduction – who you are, why you are qualified to speak/write, what your position is
2. Argument FOR your position – with specifics
3. Argument FOR your position – with specifics
4. Argument AGAINST your opponents’ position – with specifics
5. Conclusion – call to action – what do you want your audience to do? – thank for time listening or reading

Conclusion

You have reviewed various concepts and terms relating to persuasive writing. 
Store this information in your "NOTES" binder for quick referral as you progress through this course. Create a separate section for rubrics, and add the persuasive writing rubric there.