Draw this web in your writing section, but do not write in the circles

Thesis Statement/Controlling

idea

Reason 1

Reason 2

Example

Example

Example

Example

Prompt

Write a letter persuading someone to change a rule. You can write to Mr. Valamides about changing a school rule, to your parents about changing a rule at home, to a teacher about a classroom rule, the state legislature about a law, or the mayor of your city, etc.

1. Be sure to use at least one of the persuasive techniques to convince them of your idea.

2. Make sure you can state at least two GOOD REASONS for wanting the rule changed.

3. Use evidence (support) to back up your claim.

Ideas for Topics

School Rules1. Longer passing period2. Using the courtyards as

a reward3. Eating food in class

Home Rules4. Stay up later5. Being able to have a

pet6. “Family Day” every

week

City Rules1. No smoking in public

places2. No plastic or paper

bags in stores

State Laws3. Raising the driving

age4. No standardized tests

Ms. Cox’s Example

Sixth graders

should be allowed to chew gum.

Difficult to

manage

Gum helps performanc

e

Too many battles,

takes too much time

Detentions should be for more serious things

Test-takers do better

when chewing

gum

Keeps students focused

Jose U.’s Example

Doing away with paper and plastic

bags

Hard on environmen

t

Not safe

Bags end up in

landfills, which are

getting really full already

Animals eat them and it

could kill them (suffocate or die

if in their stomachs

Kids can suffocate in

them

Can be used to

hurt others

Resources to make

bags

Our pets can eat them

and get sick

What you’re doing today:

1. Decide who you will persuade and what rule you want them to change. Write the “topic” at the top of your page.

2. Prewriting: Fill in your web with your claim and your evidence (reasons and examples) to back it up.

3. Drafting: On the next page in your journal, begin forming the sentences that will be in your letter.