ACTION PLAN: PERSUASIVE WRITING

Lorrie Miller
Pettisville School
pet_lib@nwoca.org
@Timberstone, Sylvania
Pathfinder: Persuasive Writing
Grade Levels: grade 7
Curriculum/Subject area: Language Arts
Specific Topic: Persuasive writing

Brief summary: Mrs. Mielke’s seventh grade students are to select 2-3 interesting articles on a controversial subject, using the research to write a persuasive writing piece. Students will use EBSCOhost to find articles at the 7th grade lexile. The writing will be graded according to the rubric provided.

Dewey Numbers 001.4
Subject headings: Research

Web sites for students

EBSCO Help page

Basic search help sheet (pdf) Searching techniques

Flash tutorial

EBSCO TOPICsearch is an excellent resource for less-experienced researchers at all grade levels. It includes pull-down menus of selected subject areas under “Current Events“ and “Topics.” The articles are pre-selected, so the results are not so overwhelming. While articles are current, they may not be updated daily. In addition to magazine articles, TOPICsearch includes transcripts form National Public Radio broadcasts, major network news reports and more. Results are listed in reverse chronological order, with the most recent items appearing first. Search limiters allow students to select their appropriate Lexile Reading Level. Just click on the Lexile number to display a chart with comparable grade levels of reading difficulty. TOPICsearch is linked from:

InfOhio electronic resources: Middle school search

TOPIC SEARCH EXAMPLE: Gay Marriages

A MORE PERFECT UNION.; By: Rauch, Jonathan; Atlantic Monthly, Apr2003, Vol. 293 Issue 3, p88, 4p, Reading Level (Lexile): 1030

I Do, I Defiantly Do.; People, 3/15/2004, Vol. 61 Issue 10, p149, 1p, 1c, Reading Level (Lexile): 940

What can you do?; By: Caldwell, John; Advocate, 3/30/2004 Issue 911, p31, 1/3p, Reading Level (Lexile): 1060

Black pastors speak out against gay marriages.; By: Moorer, Talise D.; New York Amsterdam News, 3/18/2004, Vol. 95 Issue 12, p30, 2p, 1bw, Reading Level (Lexile): 1050

DEMONSTRATORS FOR AND AGAINST SAME-SEX MARRIAGE.; America, 4/12/2004, Vol. 190 Issue 13, p5, 1/3p, Reading Level (Lexile): 1090

A Married State.; By: Stein, Lisa; U.S. News & World Report, 2/16/2004, Vol. 136 Issue 6, p10, 2p, Reading Level (Lexile): 1090

Desecration? Dedication!; By: Quindlen, Anna; Newsweek, 2/23/2004, Vol. 143 Issue 8, p68, 1p, 1bw, Reading Level (Lexile): 1060

Mitt Romney: Meet Cal Coolidge.; By: Buchanan, Patrick J.; Human Events, 2/16/2004, Vol. 60 Issue 6, p7, 2/3p, 1bw, Reading Level (Lexile): 1010

Revolution, Televised.; By: Sullivan, Andrew; New Republic, 3/1/2004, Vol. 230 Issue 7, p34, 1p, Reading Level (Lexile): 980

I DO … NO, YOU DON'T!; By: Taylor, Chris; Time, 3/1/2004, Vol. 163 Issue 9, p40, 2p, 3c, Reading Level (Lexile): 1070

RUBRIC:
___Introduction paragraph, stating topic & writer’s opinion
___Topic addresses people’s strong beliefs
___Strong key statement that grabs reader’s attention
___Position is clearly stated
___Body contains 3 paragraphs which present evidence
___Body contains a minimum of 3 researched facts, statistics, examples, or reasons
___Evidence is arranged effectively
___Evidence considers both sides of the issue
___Evidence suits the audience
___Evidence correctly cited
___Minimum of five strong words or phrases chosen appealing to reader’s emotions
___Correct usage of good, better, best, bad, worse, worst
___Conclusion paragraph sums up argument effectively
___Typed, 12 point font
___Correct spelling
___Correct use of commas and end marks
___Legible
_______Total points

Access EBSCOhost at school and at home. Any Ohio K-12 educator, student and their parents can use the state-funded INFOhio Electronic Resources free-of-charge. Home access requires a username and password available from your school's library media center.