THE ART OF PERSUASION

LESSON 2. Persuasive Essay or Letter

OBJECTIVE: To give students practice in the art of selling themselves to a particular audience.

OUTCOME: An essay that is 500 – 700 words long.

CONDITIONS: This lesson will take about five class periods.

ACTIVITIES:

· In the letter or essay there should be three or more reasons that are specific, not general. (“I’m old enough to…” is general. “I show that I am mature enough to… because I already…” uses a specific example to show a reason.) Suggested solutions that will bring about the change should be included.

Suggested audiences and topics:

· Elected official (President, Governor, Mayor).

· A change that is needed (Ecological issue, Health and Safety issues, New use for money spent – park acquisition improvement or more police patrols for example.

· School administrator, faculty member or staff (superintendent, principal, vice-principal, counselor, custodian, teacher, librarian): Improvements to be made, change suggested (curriculum, schedule, etc.).

· Product manufacturer / business: New product or flavor (ice cream, candy) to be introduced or new service provided or donated, donations of money or goods (books), for example or service (job shadowing).

· College or university (dean of admission) convincing them to accept you as a student.

You and the kids can think of others – those are just some brainstormed ideas to get you started. As an option to be considered, the letters can be mailed, faxed or e-mailed to add a strong touch of reality to the assignment.

MATERIALS: Blackboard, pen and paper, computers, and / or typewriters, envelopes and stamps.

MODIFICATIONS: A shorter essay may be allowed or a visual product.

ASSESSMENT: Letters and essays will be graded using a rubric.

STANDARDS: Language Arts / Listening and Speaking, grade 8. Speaking Applications (Genres and Their Characteristics) 2.4.