Transcript Persuasive Writing Prompts - Monroe Township School District

Persuasive Writing
Prompts
Look at your notes on Persuasive Writing to help you
practice how to respond to these types of prompts
Guidelines
• You will be provided 45 minutes to respond
to this type of prompt.
• Use 5-10 minutes of this time to work on
your pre-writing.
• Pro/con chart (make sure your reasons don’t
overlap and you choose the side you have the
most reasons for, NOT the side you agree with)
• Number your reasons weakest to strongest!
• Four –square graphic organizer or the bacon
and eggs graphic organizer are good prewriting tools to use for this type of writing.
Sample Prompt #1
Writing Situation
Middle school students like to express their individuality by the way
they dress. However, your school dress code states that garments,
such as T-shirts, that bear certain messages and names are
unacceptable. Many students feel this limits their freedom of
expression. Do you feel that T-shirts or other clothing that
prominently carry such messages or names are appropriate to wear to
school?
Directions for Writing
Write a letter to the Board of Education explaining your position on
this controversial issue. Remember to use facts, examples, and other
evidence to support your opinion.
Sample Prompt #2
Writing Situation
Many students want to participate in school sports, but often, only the
best athletes are allowed to play. This is exactly what your friend Tamika
has discovered at her new school. She wanted to play on the school
volleyball team this year, but during tryouts she was cut from the team
and is very disappointed. While some students agree with the policy of
trying out for school teams, others think that any student should be
allowed to play. What do you think?
Directions for Writing
Write a letter to Tamika stating your point of view on this controversial
issue: Is the purpose of school athletics to win or to give students the
opportunity to play on school teams? State your position, and support it
with reasons, examples, facts, and/or other evidence.
Sample Prompt #3
Writing Situation
Your parents have told you that you are not allowed to associate with your
best friend, Alice, anymore because her family is providing foster care for
a baby with AIDS. What is your position on this issue?
Directions for Writing
Write a letter to your parents stating your position on this issue.
Remember to use facts, examples, and other evidence to support your
opinion.
Sample Prompt #4
Writing Situation
As part of a proposed educational initiative in New Jersey, local school districts
are responsible for providing required courses in both English language and
Spanish language in order to increase the success of their programs. Because
New Jersey has a large population of Spanish speakers, the state education
department believes that teaching these students in their first language will help
them learn better and more quickly. Because of the limited budget, however, the
school board is concerned that they may not be able to provide the additional
teachers or training needed for the program. They fear that they will lose state
funding and accreditation even though 90% of the district’s students pass the
state tests. What is your position on this issue?
Directions for Writing
Write a letter to your local school board stating your position on this issue.
Remember to use facts, examples, and other evidence to support your opinion.
Sample Prompt #5
Writing Situation
Mornings come early for students, and many teens are in such a hurry to make the
bus and get to school on time that they don’t eat breakfast. The lack of energy for
these young minds can be harmful to class activities as well as individual
achievement. The Monroe Township School Board has thought about beginning a
school breakfast program. This program will require an additional 15 minutes to
be added to each day. Mr. Gorman is interested in the opinion of the students,
and he has asked for letters from the student body supporting or opposing this
issue.
Directions for Writing
Write a letter to Mrs. Chanley, your school principal, about your school having a
possible school breakfast program. Would you agree or disagree that this is a good
idea that could increase student achievement? Be specific with your opinion, and
use facts and examples to express your opinion.
Sample Prompt #6
Writing Situation
There has been a problem in your school cafeteria. Many students are
complaining about the food saying that it doesn’t taste good or offer
nutritional value. What is your position on this issue?
Directions for Writing
Write a letter to the head of the cafeteria persuading him or her to serve
the food you want. Remember to use facts, examples, and other evidence
to support your opinion.
Sample Prompt #7
Writing Situation
Monroe Township Middle School has decided to ban all chocolate chip
cookies at lunch because they are unhealthy and make the students
hyper. What is your position on this issue?
Directions for Writing
Write a letter to the head of the cafeteria stating your position on this
issue. Remember to use facts, examples, and other evidence to support
your opinion.
Sample Prompt #8
Writing Situation
Your local public library has come under criticism for allowing patrons under the
age of 18 to check out books that are unacceptable. The books are either explicit,
describe graphic violence, or use questionable language. Most recently, a high
school senior checked out James Joyce’s Ulysses. The student’s parents did not
approve of the student reading the book and complained to the town council. As a
result, the council is considering removing all questionable books from the library.
What is your position on this issue?
Directions for Writing
Write a letter to the town council members stating your position on this issue.
Remember to use facts, examples, and other evidence to support your opinion.
Sample Prompt #9
Writing Situation
As part of a new technology initiative, your local school district is increasing the
number of computers in every school. The district plan provides for three
computers in every classroom. Teachers at your school are lobbying instead to
place all the computers together, creating two computer-based classrooms so that
all students in a class can work at the computers together, rather than only two or
three students at a time. The district is worried about the additional cost of
creating and maintaining these special classrooms and is concerned about how
access to the classrooms can be provided fairly and efficiently. What is your
position on this issue?
Directions for Writing
Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper stating your position on this
issue. Remember to use facts, examples, and other evidence to support your
opinion.
Sample Prompt #10
Writing Situation
Your sister, Dora, has lost interest in school and her grades are dropping. As
a result, she will need to repeat the ninth grade. Dora has decided to quit
school and work more hours as a waitress to support herself. She says she’ll
get her diploma later. What is your position on this issue?
Directions for Writing
Write a letter to your sister, Dora stating your position on this issue.
Remember to use facts, examples, and other evidence to support your
opinion.