1. Canned Lesson
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.
Write one reason you think 18-year olds should vote.
Example: Voting is your way to state your concerns and beliefs.
Example: Every vote counts and is important.
Write another reason you think 18-year olds should vote.
Voting is not only the privilege but the responsibility of every 18 year-old.
Some argue that 18 years olds are not intellectually or emotionally mature enough to vote and therefore do not want them to take advantage of this opportunity.
Example: Through voting we practice "democracy“ which we are trying to bring to others.
Write another reason you think 18-year olds should vote.
State and refute a counter argument

7. Step 3: Complete the graphic organizer.
Example: Every vote counts and is important.
Close elections for office
Close elections for laws/decisions
Send mandates to the government.
Step 3: Complete the graphic organizer.
Write 3 details about this reason.
Example: Voting is your way to state your concerns and beliefs.
Taxes
Education
War
Write 3 details about this reason
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
State and refute the counter-argument
Write 3 details about this reason.

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

9. Step 3: Complete the graphic organizer.
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
Step 3: Complete the graphic organizer.
Everyone remembers the 2000 election between Bush and Gore that was too close to call for weeks.
Elaborate on one detail.
ELABORATE
Voting is not only the privilege but the responsibility of every 18 year-old.

10. Step 3: Complete the graphic organizer.
Congress can help or hinder families trying to raise their children
Step 3: Complete the graphic organizer.
Everyone remembers the 2000 election between Bush and Gore that was too close to call for weeks.
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
2,000 American
Troops that have
lost their lives in
Iraq trying to bring
democracy and the right
to vote
to that nation.
Elaborate on one detail.
ELABORATE

11. A list of transition words is online!
Step 5: Add transitions.
For example,
Moreover,
Every vote counts and is important.
Close elections for office
Close elections for laws/decisions
Send mandates to the government.
A list of transition words is online!
Voting is your way to state your concerns and beliefs.
Taxes
Education
War
Everyone remembers the 2000 election between Bush and Gore that was too close to call for weeks.
Congress can help or hinder families trying to raise their children
In other
words,
For these
reasons,
Voting is not only the privilege but the responsibility of every 18 year-old.
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.
2,000 American Troops that have lost their lives in Iraq trying to bring democracy and the right to vote to that nation.

12. Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper.
For example,
Moreover,
Every vote counts and is important.
Close elections for office
Close elections for laws/decisions
Send mandates to the government.
Voting is your way to state your concerns and beliefs.
Taxes
Education
War
Everyone remembers the 2000 election between Bush and Gore that was too close to call for weeks.
Each square will become a paragraph.
Congress can help or hinder families trying to raise their children
For these
reasons,
In other
words,
Voting is not only the privilege but the responsibility of every 18 year-old.
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.
2,000 American Troops that have lost their lives in Iraq trying to bring democracy and the right to vote to that nation.

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.
Don’t 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.
Don’t 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.
Next Paragraph
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?

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.
Next Paragraph
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.

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
You address and refute the most important counter argument
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,
Although,
Next Paragraph

21. Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper.
Next Paragraph
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.

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.
Summary
Paragraph
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 don’t like the way things are going now, there is something you can do about it. VOTE.
Ending PUNCH

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

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 bad dreadful
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 political elections that have been as close as a barber’s shave.
There have been many close elections for political office.

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