Persuasive Writing: The Five-Step Writing Process

Congratulations! You have made it to day five of Persuasive Writing! Hip hip, hooray! If you are reading this, I have decided that you are ready to get down with the writing process!

Go on, pat yourself on the back!






------But guess what, you have already begun this wonderful process!------

It started with an idea, that turned into an outline, that can now be formulated into a web or graphic organizer.




Here are the steps of the writing process:

1. PREWRITING- Think
  X  Brainstorm- What do you want to do a persuasive writing piece on?

  X  Outline- Generate a brief outline on your claim, your three sub-topics and details for each.

  X  Research your topic. Use at least two credible sources.

  X  Web/Graphic Organizer: For this step you will fill in a graphic organizer using the information from your outline and research.




2. DRAFTING- Write
  X   Put the information into your own words. Share your voice!

  X   Construct complete sentences and form them into paragraphs. Remember, a paragraph is three-five sentences in length.

  X   Read your writing to yourself, at least one time out loud and one time silently.



3. REVISING- Make it Better
  X   Read it to yourself again.

  X   Make sure that you have complete sentences. Check for capital letters for the beginning of sentences and for proper nouns. Did you use the correct punctuation, especially at the ends of your sentences? Did you indent for each new sub-topic/paragraph?

  X   Add or take out parts as needed. Is your paper at least one page long?

  X   How is the flow? Does your paper flow smoothly, using at least one transition per paragraph?



4. PROOFREADING- Make it Correct

  X   Read it to yourself again.

  X   Peer Edit: Remember this? Fill out a peer edit sheet, on your own writing, and then have a peer read your paper and do the same.

  X   Read it to yourself again. Make all of the changes your peer has suggested, that make sense to you; ask questions.

  X   Did you read it again? Does it represent you, and your strong view on your topic? Will it persuade your reader?

  X   Re-type all changes that you have decided need to be made, and you will have your finished product!

5. PUBLISHING-Share the finished product

  X   Read it to the class.

  X   Create a Keynote/Powerpoint slideshow of your paper. Make it at least 3 slides in length, including the Sources page.

  X   Add photos that help illustrate your writing.

  X   Say in a loud voice, "I did it! I finished my persuasive writing and slideshow! Hip, hip, HOORAY!"

Persuasive Writing Topics: Credible Sources

What is a Credible Source?

Anyone can put information on the Internet, and it is not always credible. The credibility of a source refers to how reliable the information is. Is the information based off of facts and research or is it from an individuals own opinions and experiences?

Books and library databases are great credible resources to use. Books have gone through many evaluation processes before being published.

There are some specific things one should look for when deciding whether or not a site is credible.

Look for these things:

Home Page: This should contain more information about the credibility of the information, before you look any further into the source.

• Author: Who is the author or organization? If there is no author, where did the information come from?

• Sponsor: Who is the sponsor, the person that owns the site? Is it a credible group or organization?
• Date: How recent was the website published, and edited?
• What type of site is it?
• Is it a blog? Avoid it!
• Is it a wiki? Watch out!
• Is it an Internet database? Proceed!
• Is it an online periodical or print publication? Do it UP!

• The URL Address and its significance: Domain Names
• .gov -This is derived from "government,"  is used by the United States government, and is the most strongly regulated.
• .com - This is an abbreviation for "commercial," meaning that websites use this type of domain for a business or commercial nature.
• .edu -This stands for education, and represents an educational institution.
• .org -This site is represented by an organization, like: environmental organizations, charities, associations, schools, etc.
• .net -This comes from the word "network" and is typically used for organizations involved in networking technologies, like internet service providers.

My sources: myself and my college degree and http://www.ivcc.edu/stylebooks/stylebook6.aspx?id=14724

Payment for Grades

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1871528,00.html

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-good-life/201004/paying-students-good-grades

http://responsibility-project.libertymutual.com/articles/what-are-good-grades-worth-?src=keyword_s=ggl_K=paying%20children%20for%20grades_C=Education_G=GoodGradesWorth_Pay_M=b&K_CLICKID=006ad6f4-c118-34a9-0b32-00006e75282f#fbid=NHwuX-725K2&src=keyword_s


Unhealthy Food

http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/junk-food-facts


Cell Phones in School

http://www.pbs.org/mediashift/2011/08/why-schools-should-stop-banning-cell-phones-and-use-them-for-learning241.html