1. Remember: In persuasive writing, a writer takes a FIRM POSITION FOR or AGAINST an issue and writes to convince the reader to believe or do something.

2.  What is the purpose of and what are the components of an introduction? ○ 1. Grabs the reader’s attention ○ 2. Is connected to the body of the writing and provides a clear lead-in to the wrtier’s position ○ 3. Does not use informal language (I will tell you… I think that…) ○ 4. Includes a position that is stated or implied (THESIS STATEMENT!!!!!) ○ May imply an organizational structure of the paper … it is kind of like a first impression... Don’t blow it!

3.  Hi. I am strongly against your proposal for required homework in every class for many good reasons. Some of these reasons are that there is too much homework already, kids want to have fun in school, and finally, everyone would have to work harder. I will begin by telling you why I think we have too much homework. My thesis is that we should not have homework in every class. Thank you for reading. Please continue to my next paragraph. Oh, and you might want to sit back and relax. Bye!

4.  1. Scenario/Anecdote ○ The writer provides personal or hypothetical examples to illustrate the topic  2. Inquisitive/Questioning ○ The writer asks thought-provoking, maybe even edgy, questions to capture the reader’s interest  3. Preparatory/Definition/ Explanation ○ The writer explains or defines the subject through quotations, statistics, or the like before discussing it in detail

5.  Who in their right mind thought that high school students should get up in the dark when their natural rhythm is just the opposite? Who in their right mind would put the most inexperienced drivers on the road before the sun is even up? What parents in their right minds would sign up for a morning fight 180 days a year? What teacher in his or her right mind would want to motivate a somnambulant first period class? Because early start times degrade student sleep and student education, teachers and administration should change the start time for high school classes to a sensible 10 am. The writer asks thought-provoking, maybe even edgy, questions to capture the reader’s interest

6.  The majority of high schools have kept a starting time that was begun in the 1920’s when students needed to get back to their farms to tend to chores. This means that class still starts at 7:30 am, which current research proves is the worst time for the teen mind. Why then do we continue to use a system that we know doesn’t work well for the very students that the school is trying to teach? To ensure student success, we must change our schedule to start school at 10 am. The writer explains or defines the subject before discussing it in detail

7. It is 5:45 a.m. Time to get up. “Mom, just a little longer,” he begs. Six o’clock rolls around; time to get up. “OK Mom, I am getting up,” he says as his eyes drift back shut. It is now 6:25 and he springs up out of bed and tries to get ready in time to leave at 7:00. Skipping breakfast, a mistake he will regret later, this is his typical morning. The concerns that have been expressed about the starting time for high school are not insignificant. For many students, high school starts too early, forcing them to struggle to keep up. Because it disrupts their sleep and leaves them struggling in class, high school classes should be started later and held an equal time longer. The writer provides personal or hypothetical examples to illustrate the topic

8. Many people have expressed concern about teenagers being outside past 6:30 pm. The mayor of your city is considering a new law that would set the curfew for children under 16 to 7:oo pm. With your group, take a position and write a sample introduction to the above prompt. Include a thesis that convinces him to enact or not enact the curfew. Use one of the following:  1. Scenario/Anecdote  2. Inquisitive/Questioning  3. Preparatory/Definition/ Explanation

9.  Rewrite your introduction using one of the strategies that we worked with today.  Be sure to include a thesis statement.  Bring both to class tomorrow!