1. Persuasive Writing

2. Step 1: Read the prompt carefully before you begin. Writing Situation: Many eighteen year olds who are old enough to vote, choose not to register, not participating in elections. Do you think it is important to register and exercise your right to vote? Consider the reasons one would want to register and participate in elections. Directions for Writing: Now write a persuasive essay stating whether or not eighteen year old should register and participate in elections. Give reasons to support your position arguing in such a convincing manner that others will agree with you.

3. Step 2: Take a stand. Think about the stand that will provide three reasons for argument.

4. Step 3: Prepare the graphic organizer. Now fold your paper into 4 squares.

5. Step 4: Complete the graphic organizer. Unfold the paper and draw a box in the center. In the center box write a sentence to convey your stand.

6. Step 3: Complete the graphic organizer. Voting is not only the privilege but the responsibility of every 18 year-old. Write one reason you think 18-year olds should vote. Example: Every vote counts and is important. Example: Through voting we practice "democracy which we are trying to bring to others. Summarize your 3 reasons. Example: Voting is your way to state your concerns and beliefs. Write another reason you think 18-year olds should vote. It is important to exercise the right to vote. Through this process our beliefs and concerns are conveyed. Although many election contests are won by comfortable margins, some have been so close that a single vote has made the difference. We must show the world the importance of voting in a democracy.

7. Step 3: Complete the graphic organizer. Voting is not only the privilege but the responsibility of every 18 year-old. Write 3 details about this reason. Example: Every vote counts and is important. Close elections for office Close elections for laws/decisions Send mandates to the government. Example: Through voting we practice "democracy which we are trying to bring to others. Example being set Demonstrate belief in democracy Respect for lives being lost protecting democracy Summarize your 3 reasons. Example: Voting is your way to state your concerns and beliefs. Taxes Education War Write 3 details about this reason Write 3 details about this reason. It is important to exercise the right to vote. Through this process our beliefs and concerns are conveyed. Although many election contests are won by comfortable margins, some have been so close that a single vote has made the difference. We must show the world the importance of voting in a democracy.

8. Step 3: Complete the graphic organizer. Voting is not only the privilege but the responsibility of every 18 year-old. Elaborate on one detail. Example: Voting is your way to state your concerns and beliefs. Taxes Education War ELABORATE

9. Step 3: Complete the graphic organizer. Voting is not only the privilege but the responsibility of every 18 year-old. Example: Every vote counts and is important. Close elections for office Close elections for laws/decisions Send mandates to the government. Congress can help or hinder families trying to raise their children Elaborate on one detail. ELABORATE Everyone remembers the 2000 election between Bush and Gore that was too close to call for weeks.

10. Step 3: Complete the graphic organizer. Voting is not only the privilege but the responsibility of every 18 year-old. Example: Through voting we practice "democracy which we are trying to bring to others. Example being set Demonstrate belief in democracy Respect for lives being lost protecting democracy Congress can help or hinder families trying to raise their children Everyone remembers the 2000 election between Bush and Gore that was too close to call for weeks. Elaborate on one detail. 2,000 American Troops that have lost their lives in Iraq trying to bring democracy and the right to vote to that nation. ELABORATE

11. Step 5: Add transitions. Voting is your way to state your concerns and beliefs. Taxes Education War Every vote counts and is important. Close elections for office Close elections for laws/decisions Send mandates to the government. Through voting we practice "democracy which we are trying to bring to others. Example being set Demonstrate belief in democracy Respect for lives being lost protecting democracy It is important to exercise the right to vote. Through this process our beliefs and concerns are conveyed. Although many election contests are won by comfortable margins, some have been so close that a single vote has made the difference. We must show the world the importance of voting in a democracy. Voting is not only the privilege but the responsibility of every 18 year-old. Congress can help or hinder families trying to raise their children Everyone remembers the 2000 election between Bush and Gore that was too close to call for weeks. 2,000 American Troops that have lost their lives in Iraq trying to bring democracy and the right to vote to that nation. For example,Moreover, In other words, For these reasons, A list of transition words is online! online

12. Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper. Voting is your way to state your concerns and beliefs. Taxes Education War Every vote counts and is important. Close elections for office Close elections for laws/decisions Send mandates to the government. Through voting we practice "democracy which we are trying to bring to others. Example being set Demonstrate belief in democracy Respect for lives being lost protecting democracy It is important to exercise the right to vote. Through this process our beliefs and concerns are conveyed. Although many election contests are won by comfortable margins, some have been so close that a single vote has made the difference. We must show the world the importance of voting in a democracy. Voting is not only the privilege but the responsibility of every 18 year-old. Congress can help or hinder families trying to raise their children Everyone remembers the 2000 election between Bush and Gore that was too close to call for weeks. 2,000 American Troops that have lost their lives in Iraq trying to bring democracy and the right to vote to that nation. For example, Moreover, In other words, For these reasons, Each square will become a paragraph.

13. Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper. The introductory paragraph (the center box) sums up each reason. Voting is not only the privilege but the responsibility of every 18 year-old. Voting is the way to tell politicians and government officials what is important to us. Through voting we exercise democracy, an act that others cannot experience without great loss.

14. Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper. Begin the introductory paragraph with a hook. Samples of hooks can be found online. online Dont like the way things are now? Well there is something you can do about it. Vote. Voting is not only the privilege but the responsibility of every 18 year-old. Voting is the way to tell politicians and government officials what is important to us. Through voting we exercise democracy, an act that others cannot experience without great loss.

15. Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper. Begin the introductory paragraph with a hook. Samples of hooks can be found online. online Dont like the way things are now? Well there is something you can do about it. Vote. Voting is not only the privilege but the responsibility of every 18 year-old. Voting is the way to tell politicians and government officials what is important to us. Through voting we exercise democracy, an act that others cannot experience without great loss.

16. Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper. Voting is your way to state your concerns and beliefs. Taxes Education War Every vote counts and is important. Close elections for office Close elections for laws/decisions Send mandates to the government. Through voting we practice "democracy which we are trying to bring to others. Example being set Demonstrate belief in democracy Respect for lives being lost protecting democracy It is important to exercise the right to vote. Through this process our beliefs and concerns are conveyed. Although many election contests are won by comfortable margins, some have been so close that a single vote has made the difference. We must show the world the importance of voting in a democracy. Voting is not only the privilege but the responsibility of every 18 year-old. Congress can help or hinder families trying to raise their children Everyone remembers the 2000 election between Bush and Gore that was too close to call for weeks. 2,000 American Troops that have lost their lives in Iraq trying to bring democracy and the right to vote to that nation. For example, Moreover, In other words, For these reasons, Next Paragraph

17. Step 5: From the graphic organizer to the paper. For example, voting is your way to state your concerns and beliefs. How do you feel about raising taxes? What is important in the way of education for your children or your family? Congress can help or hinder families trying to raise their children. Your vote leads Congress in making those decisions. What signal do you want to send your representatives about the war? Next Paragraph

18. Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper. Voting is your way to state your concerns and beliefs. Taxes Education War Every vote counts and is important. Close elections for office Close elections for laws/decisions Send mandates to the government. Through voting we practice "democracy which we are trying to bring to others. Example being set Demonstrate belief in democracy Respect for lives being lost protecting democracy It is important to exercise the right to vote. Through this process our beliefs and concerns are conveyed. Although many election contests are won by comfortable margins, some have been so close that a single vote has made the difference. We must show the world the importance of voting in a democracy. Voting is not only the privilege but the responsibility of every 18 year-old. Congress can help or hinder families trying to raise their children Everyone remembers the 2000 election between Bush and Gore that was too close to call for weeks. 2,000 American Troops that have lost their lives in Iraq trying to bring democracy and the right to vote to that nation. For example, Moreover, In other words, For these reasons, Next Paragraph

19. Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper. Moreover, every vote counts and is important. There have been many close elections for political office. Everyone remembers the 2000 election between Bush and Gore that was too close to call for weeks. Your vote could impact a close election for a change in laws or a local decision. Through exercising your vote you send mandates to the government. Next Paragraph

20. Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper. Voting is your way to state your concerns and beliefs. Taxes Education War Every vote counts and is important. Close elections for office Close elections for laws/decisions Send mandates to the government. Through voting we practice "democracy which we are trying to bring to others. Example being set Demonstrate belief in democracy Respect for lives being lost protecting democracy It is important to exercise the right to vote. Through this process our beliefs and concerns are conveyed. Although many election contests are won by comfortable margins, some have been so close that a single vote has made the difference. We must show the world the importance of voting in a democracy. Voting is not only the privilege but the responsibility of every 18 year-old. Congress can help or hinder families trying to raise their children Everyone remembers the 2000 election between Bush and Gore that was too close to call for weeks. 2,000 American Troops that have lost their lives in Iraq trying to bring democracy and the right to vote to that nation. For example, Moreover, In other words, For these reasons, Next Paragraph

21. Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper. In other words, through voting we practice "democracy which we are trying to bring to others. Through registering to vote we set an example of our belief and demonstration of democracy. Voting shows a respect for the lives being lost protecting democracy for others, particularly in Iraq. 2,000 American Troops that have lost their lives in Iraq trying to bring democracy and the right to vote to that nation. Next Paragraph

22. Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper. Voting is your way to state your concerns and beliefs. Taxes Education War Every vote counts and is important. Close elections for office Close elections for laws/decisions Send mandates to the government. Through voting we practice "democracy which we are trying to bring to others. Example being set Demonstrate belief in democracy Respect for lives being lost protecting democracy It is important to exercise the right to vote. Through this process our beliefs and concerns are conveyed. Although many election contests are won by comfortable margins, some have been so close that a single vote has made the difference. We must show the world the importance of voting in a democracy. Voting is not only the privilege but the responsibility of every 18 year-old. Congress can help or hinder families trying to raise their children Everyone remembers the 2000 election between Bush and Gore that was too close to call for weeks. 2,000 American Troops that have lost their lives in Iraq trying to bring democracy and the right to vote to that nation. For example, Moreover, In other words, For these reasons, Summary Paragraph

23. Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper. For these reasons, it is important to exercise the right to vote. Through this process our beliefs and concerns are conveyed. Although many election contests are won by comfortable margins, some have been so close that a single vote has made the difference. We must show the world the importance of voting in a democracy. So if you dont like the way things are going now, there is something you can do about it. VOTE. Summary Paragraph Ending PUNCH

24. Step 7: Vocabulary Review your paragraphs. Can you add adjectives (describing words) and interesting adverbs (describing action words)? ADJECTIVESADVERBS

25. Step 7: Vocabulary BEFORE: Congress can help or hinder families trying to raise their children. AFTER: Congress can help or hinder hardworking families trying to raise their children.

26. Step 7: Vocabulary BEFORE: There have been many close elections for political office. AFTER: There have been many crucially close elections for political office.

27. Step 7: Vocabulary Remember: The more sophisticated vocabulary you use…the higher your score. bad dreadful

28. Step 8: Visual Expression Use metaphors and similes to give your essay more visual expression. There have been many close elections for political office. There have been many political elections that have been as close as a barbers shave.

29. Step 9: Reread Your Work Reread your work to make sure you have: Taken a stand and stay on the topic Given your reasons in the introductory paragraph Have paragraphs that support each reason Elaborate on a reason in each paragraph Have a summary paragraph that restates your reasons Begin each paragraph with a transition word Include adjectives, adverbs, similes, and metaphors