ELA10 - New Media (2 credit), CSS, Cizeron

Learning Target (Curricular Competencies): Recognize and appreciate how different forms, formats, structures, and features of texts enhance and shape meaning and impact. Use writing and design processes to plan, develop, and create engaging and meaningful texts for a variety of purposes and audiences. Use acknowledgements and citations to recognize intellectual property rights.

 

A persuasive essay is an essay used to convince a reader about a particular idea or focus, usually one that you believe in. Your persuasive essay could be based on anything about which you have an opinion. Whether you're arguing against closing borders to immigrants or petitioning for a promotion, the persuasive essay is a skill that everyone should know.

What issues do you care most about? What topics do you find yourself discussing most passionately, whether online, at the dinner table, in the classroom, or with your friends?

Task: 

Write a 800 word composition on a controversial issue where you clearly state and support your opinion from research on one of the following topics.

Follow the guidelines for writing a multi-paragraph essay in the book at the top of the course called Writing a Literary Essay.

1. Brainstorm ideas about your chosen topic. Use one of the graphic organizers found in the folder called Graphic Organizers at the top of the course. A concept map is useful at this stage of writing.
2. Research your topic and take notes. Keep track of the bibliographic information so it is easier to write your bibliography at the end.
3. Organize your information into a minimum 5-paragraph essay outline. There is a template in Graphic Organizers at the top of the course. Make sure your thesis statement clearly establishes your opinion. DO NOT use personal pronouns like "I" and "YOU" in this essay!
4. Use the ACE it paragraph writing format for each of your supporting paragraphs. An explanation of ACE it is on the next page.
5. Write the first draft. Make sure you are using quotations to support your opinion. Cite them in MLA format. This is explained in the handout in Class Handouts found at the top of the course.
6. Edit the first draft. Have someone else edit it. Make sure your outline matches your essay.
7. Ideally, you would set aside this essay for a couple days and then go back and write the final draft.
8. Do a final proofread and write your bibliography. It should be alphabetized, double-spaced, and indented. There is an example bibliography in the handout called MLA Citation in Class Handouts.

Here are your topic choices...

Technology and Social Media

• Does Technology Make Us More Alone?
• Do Apps/iphones Help You or Just Waste Your Time or are they effective educational tools?
• Should What You Say on Facebook Be Grounds for Getting Fired?
• Should People Be Allowed to Obscure Their Identities Online?
• What Should the Punishment Be for Acts of Cyberbullying?
• Is Online Learning as Good as Face-to-Face Learning?
• How Young Is Too Young for an iPhone?
• Should Companies Collect Information About You?
• Are Digital Photographs Too Plentiful to Be Meaningful?
• Do You Worry We Are Filming Too Much?
• What Role Will Robots Play in Our Future?

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Arts and Media: TV, Music, Video Games and Literature

• Does Reality TV Promote Dangerous Stereotypes?
• What Musician, Actor or Author Should Be a Superstar, but Hasn't Quite Made It Yet?
• Should Video Games Be Considered a Sport?
• Should Stores Sell Violent Video Games to Minors?
• What Game Would You Like to Redesign?
• Do We Need Art in Our Lives?

Be sure to use the ACE-it paragraph writing strategy you can read about in the next page of this book.

Assessment:  Below you will find the exemplary criteria used to assess the assignment.  

Learning Target: (Exemplary 6/6): Exemplary comprehension of the task and clear accomplishment of the objective. The assignment shows evidence of critical thinking in a thorough persuasive response.  Student clearly communicates creative, critical, and reflective thought while developing an opinion on a focused topic. 

Ideas/Content:  (Exemplary 6/6):  Content contributes to the central idea and makes insightful connections following logical organization.  Ideas generated are thoughtful and unique.   Exemplary development of persuasion.  Content is clear, concise and true.  Accomplishes the purpose with originality, individuality, maturity, and sophistication.

Organization/Planning:  (Exemplary 6/6): Exemplary evidence of organization and planning in the form of an outline or a graphic organizer.  There is a clear assertion and identifiable main idea in response to the selected topic.  Exemplary explanation of the citation used to support the assertion.  Response follows the ACE-it paragraph writing format leading to a logical conclusion.

Written Expression:  Exemplary (6/6):  Sentence structure and vocabulary are varied, skillfully written, and carefully chosen.  Work has been proofread and there are few or no errors in spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and grammar.  Composition shows maturity in vocabulary, structure, and editing.

Submission: 

Use the "1.8 PROJECT: Writing a Persuasive Essay" link on the main page of this section of the course to upload your assignment to your teacher for marking.