Home Schooling with Writing.com

         Persuasive writing is a fine art. It involves explaining one's position and supporting that position with fact and evidence that goes beyond simple opinion. The best persuasive writing addresses the strong points of the opposing view as well. This can be a real challenge when one is limited to only 400-500 words, as is the case in many letters to the editor.

         It is important to keep your audience in mind when presenting your supporting arguments. Yes, we Christians accept the Bible as unerring truth- but if we are writing for secular audiences, "...because the Bible says so" simply won't suffice. If you can't think of more than one reason for your position, then you haven't thought it out well enough. Choose the argument that speaks most personally to your audience. Absolutely no name calling allowed!


1st-3rd grade:
Day 1:
Make a list of three rules you don't like that your parents have for you.

Day 2:
List one reason why you think that each rule should be changed.


4-6th grade:

Day 1 :
Pick a topic you really care about that you want to change your parents' mind on: Bedtime? Allowance? A particular movie you want to see that they won't let you? Some rule you think is unfair....
Make a list of three reasons you think your parents have for that rule or policy. Now make a list of three reasons why you think they are wrong.

Day 2:
Write an essay trying to convince your parents that you are right about the topic. IT CANNOT BE LONGER THAN 500 WORDS (use the "word count tool" under Tools in Microsoft Word). Make sure you divide it into paragraphs.

Day 3:
Give your essay to one of your parents (pick the one most likely to cooperate on this!). Have them write a response to your essay. Tell them it cannot be more than 500 words. (Don't you just LOVE giving your parents homework????)

Day 4:
Now write a response to their essay. Same 500 word limit.

Day 5:
Have your other parent read the series & give you their opinion. Who do they think won the argument? Why?

7-12th grade:

Day 1:
Pick a current controversy in your local newspaper. (There's always one!) It could deal with local politics & campaigns, an issue being debated in the letters to the editors, or some national controversy. Read about it.

Day 2:
Decide what your position is on the controversy. Make a list of three arguments the opposing side has on the issue. Then make a list of three reasons why you think they are wrong. If you are undecided (that's OK, too), just make a list of three pros and three cons on the issue.

Day 3:
Write an essay defending your position. IT CANNOT BE LONGER THAN 500 WORDS (use the "word count tool" under Tools in Microsoft Word).

Day 4:
Have one of your parents respond verbally to your essay. [I'm copping out here, but I'll have four kids doing this assignment at once!]

Day 3:
Write a rebuttal to their response if they disagree with you. (same word limit) If they agree, take today off!

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