On Friday, April 12th, students began a lesson on persuasive writing. They had to rank 14 topics saying whether they strongly agreed, mildly agreed, neither agreed nor disagree, mildly disagreed or strongly disagreed. This was an effort to get them to identify topics for which they felt strongly and would likely have a number of ideas to support one way or another.

Today, we began writing Introductions to their selected topic. Introductions could be done in one of three ways: a question, an opinion, or a lead. Students are to have three separate opening paragraphs completed for tomorrow representing each of those styles. Below is a sample of all three given using Topic #14: Smoking should be against the law.

1.       Question

Examples:

Have you ever…

Do you know…

Can you…

Did you know that last year 45,000 people died from smoking related illnesses? Smoking is not only dangerous to the smoker but it is dangerous to others as well. Treating these diseases and illnesses in hospitals costs governments and taxpayers in Canada millions of dollars a year. This is why smoking should be against the law.

2.       Opinion

Examples:

I believe…

I think…

I feel that…

I believe that there is nothing more disgusting than a habit that leaves its participants hacking and wheezing and litters the environment with cigarette butts. It boggles my mind why someone would choose to do something that has the potential to kill them. Not only that, but they choose to pay huge amounts of money to risk their lives and the lives of those around them. I truly think that smoking should be banned and made illegal

3.       Lead

Examples:

Let me tell…

Listen closely…

I will…

Let me tell you about a problem plaguing our society. A problem that costs our government millions of dollars a year and kills thousands and thousands of people. This is a problem that people willing choose to bring upon themselves and one which they should be protected from. Smoking is a problem not only for those who choose to partake in it but for all of society. For the benefit of smokers and for the benefit of all Canadians, smoking should be made to be against the law.