If You Can Convince
Mom and Dad,
YOU CAN CONVINCE ANYONE!!!!
The purpose of this assignment is to persuade your parents and/or guardian (you may work with one parent/guardian if you prefer) to allow you to do something they do not want you to do. The form of the assignment will be a one-page (minimum) letter to your parents in which you attempt to win their permission. You may use the personal letter form or a business format. The final draft must be typed or neatly written in blue or black ink.
Remember that the audience, of course, will be your parents - - an audience opposed to what you have to say. You must speak directly to them and use forceful, but respectful and appropriate language, to convince them of your side of the issue. Finally, follow this procedure:
1. Get a list of opposing arguments from your parents. The more arguments they provide, the easier your task will probably be. I’ll help you out by writing an explanatory letter for you to take home (it is attached).
2. Turn in your parents’ list with the final copy of your letter. Your letter will not be graded, however, until you have shared it with your parents and obtained a parental signature.
Grading Scale
Opposing Arguments List from your parents – 10 points
Signature on your final letter – 10 points
Content of your letter – 40 points
Grammar – 40 points
Daily Schedule
Day One: Work in groups/pairs to brainstorm at least 10 things that your parents will not let you do (or 10 things that you don’t want to do that your parents want you to do.)
Share ideas with the class.
Choose one argument that you will take home to your parent(s). They will give you a list of opposing arguments (hopefully, 708 reasons why you can or cannot do something). Please ask them to sign their list of reasons and bring the list to class the next day.
Day Two: In class, you will begin your letter to your parent(s) trying to convince them of your argument. You must address each opposing argument that they have given you. Try to give reasons that refute what they have said. Be forceful in your writing, yet respectful . . . these are your parents!
A rough draft is due at the end of the hour. If you finish early, let me see what you have written.
Day Three: Peer editing. .
You should also have a conference with me. While everyone else is peer editing, one person at a time should conference with me. I’ll try to give you some of my ideas.
Day Four: Re-write and polish your rough draft. You may begin typing if you wish. The paper is due at the end of hour. You will take the letter home and you must let your parents read your letter and then sign the bottom indicating that they have read it.
Day Five: Signed persuasive letter is due.
Dear Parents and Guardians,
I am working with students on persuasive writing. A major problem in this kind of writing is anticipating the arguments of the “other side” and responding satisfactorily to those arguments.
I would like your assistance for one writing assignment. Since almost all 12-13 year olds would very much like to do one thing that their parents have forbidden, I have chosen that parent-child scenario for this persuasive writing assignment. Your son or daughter is to choose the specific topic. As preparation, he or she will ask you to list all of your reasons for opposition. I’ve suggested below how such a scenario might go.
Student Topic: I want to redecorate my room.
Parental objections:
1. It’s too expensive.
2. You never even clean your room; why decorate?
3. You already spend too much time there. We only see you at meals as it is now.
4. You never spend any time in your room; why should we bother?
5. Your brother (sister) is going to feel left out. We can’t start redecorating everyone’s room.
6. Your taste in interior decoration is questionable. We can’t paint ceilings and walls in school colors or indulge in other such fads.
7. I’ll end up doing all the work. I don’t have the time or the energy.
8. It’ll cost too much.
9. I said “No!”
Some of your objections may be difficult to refute, but don’t hold back. I want students to be challenged by realistic opposition.
After students have brought in your arguments, they will write letters to you answering those objections. I am requiring your son or daughter to show you this final letter. Your signature on that letter indicating that you have read it will be satisfactory. A written response to your son or daughter would be delightful.
Thank you for you support!
Sincerely yours,