Bringing Life to

Persuasive Writing

That’s Who
SO C A RE S
TRUE ! ?
 Voice in Writing
• You feel a strong connection to the
writer’s…
– Emotion
– Energy
– Conviction
– Integrity
– …you feel SOMETHING!
 Voice is…
• Person behind the words
• Reader Writer
• Involvement
• Awareness of audience
• Individualistic
• Expressive
 Who’s Voice is This?
8:00 am – Dog food! My favorite thing!
9:30 am – A car ride! My favorite thing!
9:40 am – A walk in the park! My favorite thing!
10:30 am – Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!
12:00 pm – Lunch! My favorite thing!
1:00 pm – Played in the yard! My favorite thing!
3:00 pm – Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!
5:00 pm – Milk bones! My favorite thing!
7:00 pm – Got to play ball! My favorite thing!
8:00 pm – Wow! Watched TV with the people! My
favorite thing!
11:00 pm – Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!
 Who’s Voice is This?
Day 983 of my captivity. My captors continue to taunt me with
bizarre
little dangling objects.
They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are
fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for
the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to
keep up my strength. The only thing that keeps me going is my dream
of escape. In an attempt to disgust them I once again vomit on the
carpet.
Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their
feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly
demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made
condescending comments about what a ‘good little hunter’ I am. There
was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in
 Who’s Voice is This?

solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However,

I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that
my confinement was due to the power of ‘allergies.’ I must learn
what this means and how to use it to my advantage…
Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one
of
my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try
this again tomorrow – but at the top of the stairs. I am convinced that
the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives
special privileges. He is regularly released – and seems to be more
than willing to return. He is obviously an idiot. The bird has got to be
an informant. I observe him communicating with the guards regularly. I
am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged
protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe. For now…
 Summer: 15 Days or 2 1/2 Months?
Student Example

The final bell rings. It’s the last day of school, and
summer has finally come! Students don’t have to think
about school for at least another 2 1/2 months. That is
the way it should always be. Schools should continue
using the traditional calendar and not a year-round
schedule (position). There are numerous downsides to
year-round schooling. It has no positive effects on
education (1),
(1) it adds to costs (2), and it disrupts the
long-awaited summer vacation (3). (3)
 Paragraph 2 – Reason 1
Student Example
Contrary to the well-accepted belief, year-
round schooling has no constructive impact on
education. (1) Most year-round schedules use the
45-15 method: 45 days of school followed by 15 days
off. Because of this, there are many first and last days
of school. All those transitions disrupt the learning
process. Also, (2) there is no evidence of higher test
scores. Due to that, many schools that change to year-
round schedules end up switching back. For example,
(3) since 1980, 95 percent of schools that tried the year-
round schedule changed back to a traditional calendar.
It is obvious that changing to year-round schooling does
not help students; therefore, why is the change
necessary?
 Paragraph 3 – Reason 2
Student Example
Like any other facility, keeping a school open
requires a great deal of money. When a school changes to
a year-round schedule, the costs skyrocket. (1) Keeping
school open in the middle of summer requires air
conditioning, and that adds significantly to the school’s
expenses. The usual utility bills grow because of the
additional open-school time. Finally, (2) teachers must be
paid for all the weeks they are working. With all these factors,
the cost of keeping schools open becomes immensely high.
For example, (3) a high school in Arizona had a cost increase
of $157,000 when they switched to year-round schooling.
Some schools may not be able to handle such increases,
and other schools that can handle these expenses could be
doing better things with the money. Is year-round school
really where the money should go?
 Paragraph 4 – Reason 3
Student Example
An important part of a child’s life is summertime.
With year-round schedules, students would hardly have
any time to relax. (1) During the 15-day breaks, they would
be thinking about their quick return to school. (2) It would also
be difficult to coordinate family vacations with parents’ work
schedules. (3) Similarly, children would not be able to go to
most summer camps. (4) One expert, Dr. Peter Scales, says,
“The biggest plus of camp is that camps help young people
discover and explore their talents, interests, and values. Most
schools don’t satisfy all these needs. Kids who have these
kinds of [camp] experiences end up being healthier and have
fewer problems.” Obviously, the summer is crucial to a child’s
learning and development. Why should this invaluable part
of a young person’s life be taken away?
 Paragraph 5 – Counterargument
Student Example
But does this really make sense to everyone? (1) Teachers
and other education professionals spend a lot of time at the
beginning of the school year reviewing material from the
previous year. These days and weeks of “review” could be used
more effectively if the lessons continued to move forward , not
backward. Also, By having their children in school with short breaks
in between sessions, parents would not have to pay for additional,
expensive childcare. Even if (2) there are no classes taking place
during summer hours, the building is still being used, therefore
utility costs remain consistent throughout the year. (3) And
finally, there has been a significant increase in families staying
home during the summer months due to the downturn in the
economy. Because of this, travel and vacations have become
practically nonexistant for families with school age children.
According to AAA, last year alone, there was a 53% decrease in air
travel.
 Paragraph 6 – Conclusion
Student Example

It is evident that year-round schooling is not

the best option for the school calendar. There is
absolutely nothing wrong with the traditional school
year.
year Why change something that works so well? The
final bell rings. Let’s make sure this bell means that
the “real” summer vacation has come.
Planning Your Persuasive Essay
1. Clearly state your position. What do you believe
about the issue? What are your reasons for
believing that way?
2. Consider your audience. What do your readers
know about the issue? What are their opinions on it?
3. Gather support for your arguments. Where will
you find the information you need? What facts,
statistics, examples, anecdotes, and quotations
support your position? Which evidence is strongest?
What support might people who object to your
position present? How can you answer those
objections?