Persuasive Essay Options
View this clip from the movie version of To Kill A Mockingbird of Atticus closing remarks in the trial of Tom Robinson. This is a good example of persuasive language. http://www.americanrhetoric.com/MovieSpeeches/moviespeechtokillamockingbird.html
Write a persuasive essay, choosing from one of the options below:
Option 2: What was Harper Lees purpose in writing To Kill a Mockingbird? In a persuasive essay, explain the purpose she may have had in mind. Use facts and details from the book to support your thesis. Cite specific passages. Use at least three quotations from the unit or novel. Discuss why this purpose is still relevant today and why Lee was deserving of the Medal of Freedom on November 5, 2007.
(From Deeper Reading by Kelly Gallagher, p. 165)
Option 3: Write an essay to persuade another person to stand up for what is right. Think of a just cause, and write to prove that social action is still necessary in our society. Use facts, details and quotations from the novel to support your points.
Option 4: Write to persuade someone of the importance of basing attitudes on a wide range of knowledge and experience. Use facts, details and quotations from the novel to support your points.
Option 5: Address the question, "Can one person make a difference?" Persuade someone of your opinion using facts, details and quotations from the novel to support your points.
Rubric for Options 2-5:
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CATEGORY |
4 - Above Standards |
3 - Meets Standards |
2 - Approaching Standards |
1 - Below Standards |
Score |
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Position Statement |
The position statement provides a clear, strong statement of the author's position on the topic. |
The position statement provides a clear statement of the author's position on the topic. |
A position statement is present, but does not make the author's position clear. |
There is no position statement. |
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Evidence and Examples |
All of the evidence and examples are specific, relevant and explanations are given that show how each piece of evidence supports the author's position. |
Most of the evidence and examples are specific, relevant and explanations are given that show how each piece of evidence supports the author's position. |
At least one of the pieces of evidence and examples is relevant and has an explanation that shows how that piece of evidence supports the author's position. |
Evidence and examples are NOT relevant AND/OR are not explained. |
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Grammar & Spelling |
Author makes no errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content. |
Author makes 1-2 errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content. |
Author makes 3-4 errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content. |
Author makes more than 4 errors in grammar or spelling that distract the reader from the content. |
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Sources |
All sources used for quotes, statistics and facts are credible and cited correctly. |
All sources used for quotes, statistics and facts are credible and most are cited correctly. |
Most sources used for quotes, statistics and facts are credible and cited correctly. |
Many sources are suspect (not credible) AND/OR are not cited correctly. |