PERSUASIVE LETTERS. Our School Can Save Trees Stop Junk Food Ads for Kids Please Let Me Have a Dog!

Transcription

1 B R I D G E S E D I T I O N PERSUASIVE LETTERS Our School Can Save Trees Stop Junk Food Ads for Kids Please Let Me Have a Dog! by Cynthia Swain

2 Genre: Persuasive Letters Level: K/20* LITERARY ANALYSIS Respond to and interpret text Make text-to-text connections Analyze the genre READING SKILLS Comprehension Evaluate fact and opinion Word Study Emotion words Tier Two Vocabulary (see Glossary) WRITING SKILLS Writer s Tools State and defend your position Writer s Craft How to write a persuasive letter THEME CONNECTIONS Being a Good Citizen Responsibility *The reading level assigned to this text is based on the genre examples only. Focus on the Genre, Reread, and Writer s Craft features were not leveled. These sections are intended for read-aloud or shared reading. Benchmark Education Company 629 Fifth Avenue Pelham, NY Benchmark Education Company, LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. ISBN: The Readers & Writers Genre Workshop series includes eleven fiction and nonfiction genres. There are two titles with multiple stories for each genre. How to use this book 1. Learn about the genre by reading pages 2 3. Get background information about the power of letter writing on pages Read the persuasive letters for enjoyment. 3. Reread the letters and answer the questions on pages 11, 15, and Reread the last letter. Pay attention to the comments in the margins. See how an author writes a persuasive letter. 5. Follow the steps on pages to write your own persuasive letter. 6. Complete the activity on the inside back cover. Answer the follow-up questions. Credits Project Editor: Jeffrey B. Fuerst Creative Director: Laurie Berger Senior Art Director: Glenn Davis Director of Photography: Doug Schneider Photo Editor: Diane French English Language Arts Advisor: Donna Schmeltekopf Clark Photo credit: Page 5A: Library of Congress For information about ordering, call Toll-Free or visit our Web site: Our School Can Save Trees Stop Junk Food Ads for Kids Please Let Me Have a Dog! THREE PERSUASIVE LETTERS by Cynthia Swain Table of Contents Focus on the Genre: Persuasive Letters Letters That Made a Difference Our School Can Save Trees Stop Junk Food Ads for Kids Please Let Me Have a Dog! The Writer s Craft: Persuasive Letters Glossary Make Connections Across Texts Inside Back Cover

3 FOCUS ON THE GENRE Persuasive Letters What is a persuasive letter? A persuasive letter is a letter that tries to convince readers to believe or do something. A persuasive letter has a strong point of view about an idea or a problem. It includes facts and examples to support an opinion, and it usually suggests a solution. What is the purpose of a persuasive letter? People write persuasive letters to sway, or change the minds of, their readers. They want readers to see their points of view. They may want readers to take action, too. Who is the audience for a persuasive letter? People write persuasive letters to all kinds of people: parents, friends, citizens, business leaders, world leaders, and others. They write letters to make people understand their views. Often they want to change their audience s opinions. For example, someone might write to a leader about a law they don t agree with. The writer might want the leader to change the law. How do you read a persuasive letter? Keep in mind that the writer wants you to support his or her position. Ask yourself, What is this writer s position, or opinion? Does he support it with facts and good reasons? Do I agree with him? A good persuasive writer knows his audience. He knows what facts and reasons might change his reader s mind. The letter has a strong position, or point of view. The letter has a specific audience in mind. Features of a Persuasive Letter The letter uses facts and evidence to make a case. The letter suggests solutions or actions. The letter uses powerful words to influence the reader. 2 3

4 Letters That Made a Difference A letter can change a person s mind. Some letters can even help change the world. People have been writing letters for centuries. Here is one example of a letter writer who made a difference. Jackie Robinson Jackie Robinson was the first African American baseball player to play Major League Baseball. He joined the Brooklyn Dodgers in Before then, black players could not play in the Major Leagues. They had to play in a league for black players only. Robinson became a great player in the Major Leagues. But he wasn t just a ballplayer. He was also a fighter for the rights of black people. During his life, he wrote letters to many presidents. He was not afraid to express his opinions. He told each president what he thought should be done and why. In 1958, Robinson wrote to President Eisenhower. He said, 17 million Negroes cannot... wait for the hearts of men to change. We want to enjoy now the rights that we feel we are entitled to... He asked President Eisenhower to make a strong statement in support of equal rights. In 1967, Robinson wrote to President Johnson. He thanked Johnson for his support of civil rights. Then he asked him to do even more: We need an even firmer stand as the... gap between black and white Americans gets wider. Robinson wrote to Presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, and Nixon. Tools Writers Use State and Defend Your Position When a writer states a position, he expresses a strong opinion. He must make his opinion, or view, very clear to the reader. He needs to convince the reader to have the same opinion. Persuasive writers support their positions in the following ways: They clearly state a position. They provide facts. They give concrete examples. They may quote other people. They may also use language to share their emotions. 4 5

5 OUR SCHOOL CAN SAVE TREES Dear Principal, Earth Day is one week away. My class has been reading about our planet. We are determined to help the planet. We want to take action at school. We think we have a great idea. We hope you think so too. We want our school to stop wasting paper. We want to save trees. Trees are very important. Birds, squirrels, and mice use trees for their nests. Many animals eat seeds, berries, and fruit from trees. Some birds eat tree pollen. I have three apple trees in my backyard. My mom, dad, and I pick the apples in the fall. The apples make great pies. Trees are important for another reason, too. Trees have leaves. The leaves take in dirty air from cars and trucks. The trees make clean air for people to breathe. Trees help keep the environment clean. We really need trees! But people cut down trees. People use the wood to make many things. One thing they make is paper. 6 This tree is a home for many animals. 7

6 OUR SCHOOL CAN SAVE TREES OUR SCHOOL CAN SAVE TREES 8 Many people use paper. Then they throw the paper in the garbage. They are wasting an important natural resource! We waste too much paper at our school. I can give you an example. On Monday, our math teacher gave us a worksheet. She passed out twenty-five pieces of paper. On Tuesday, we handed them in. The next day, the teacher gave them back to us. The papers had her corrections. I asked every student what they did with their paper. The class has twenty-five students. Twenty-three students threw their papers in the trash! Then I went to the custodian. I asked him what he does with the used paper that kids throw out. He said he puts the paper with the rest of the garbage! I was shocked. I was disappointed. We are wasting so much paper. We could be recycling this paper. This is the trash can in my classroom at the end of the day! Our school should have recycling bins. Then city workers could sell our used paper to companies. The companies would use the old paper to make new paper. If everyone recycled paper, then people would not need to cut down so many trees. So my class would like to hold a bake sale next week. We want to raise money. We want to buy recycling bins for the school. We will need one small bin for each classroom. We will need small bins in the library and computer lab, too. We will need a large bin in the cafeteria. We will also need one outside. BIN TYPE Budget for Bins PRICE NUMBER OF BINS WE NEED TOTAL COST Small bin $15.00 each 15 $ Large bin $60.00 each 2 $ Grand Total $

7 OUR SCHOOL CAN SAVE TREES Many companies make recycling bins. We have looked at them. We think we will need about $350 dollars to buy the bins. My class is also willing to pick up the paper garbage. Every day, two students in my class will take the paper garbage to the custodian. He can put the paper in the recycling bin. Then the city can pick up the paper. My class is very excited about this idea. We really want to stop wasting paper. We are optimistic that you will agree with us. We think you will give us your permission. Recycling at our school is the right thing to do! Sincerely, Amy Adams We want to buy these bins for every classroom. REREAD THE PERSUASIVE LETTER Understand the Letter Who is the writer of this letter? What does this letter tell you about the writer? Why does the writer feel strongly about saving trees? What opinions does the writer express about the use of paper at her school? What do you think of the writer s idea? What reasons make you think that the solution will work? Analyze the Tools Writers Use: State and Defend Your Position What position does the writer take in this letter? What facts and examples support her position? Summarize the solution that the writer proposes. Focus on Words: Words That Describe the Writer s Point of View Sometimes writers use emotion words to influence their readers. For example, in the first paragraph, the writer says, We are determined... to let the principal know how serious she is about her idea. Below are some emotion words from the letter. Make a chart like the one below. Then define each word and think about why the writer used it. Emotion Words Page Word 7 determined Dictionary Definition Why is it an effective word choice? 8 shocked 8 disappointed 10 optimistic 10 11

8 STOP JUNK FOOD ADS FOR KIDS Dear Senator, We should all be concerned about the kinds of foods children eat. Eating the wrong foods can be very bad for you. You can get sick. You can gain too much weight. You can die young. But the people who make junk foods try to sell them to kids. They put ads on TV and radio. They put ads on the Internet. Many junk food ads are just for kids. Companies spend more than a billion dollars a year on these ads. I am outraged. We need to protect children. Please think about these facts. I read a study. The study was about food ads on TV. The study said some kids saw more than twenty food ads per day on TV. Thirty-four percent of the ads were for candy or snacks. Twenty-eight percent were for sugary cereal. Ten percent were for fast food. Food Ads on TV 28% 10% 28% 34% candy or snacks cereal fast food other 12 13

9 STOP JUNK FOOD ADS FOR KIDS The children did not see ads for fruits or vegetables. I am alarmed by these facts. I hope you are, too. Children need good nutrition. Children do not get good nutrition from junk food. Many fast food chains give kids toys with their meals. The kids want the toys. So the kids want to go back for more fast food. The kids do not know any better. But the fast food chains know what they are doing. They know the junk food is not good for kids. They use the toys to get kids to eat bad food. I think they are being very tricky! Companies also use cartoon characters in ads. Children love the characters. So they think the food must be good. I think this is wrong. I do not think we should let the companies do this. Do you? We need a new law. The law should limit junk food ads for children. Then children would not see the ads. They would not want to eat as much junk food. Their parents could get them to eat better foods. Then companies might make healthier foods for kids. Senator, our children are at risk. You need to protect them. They need to eat well. Please help make a new law. Stop junk food ads for kids. Sincerely, Juan Santiago REREAD THE PERSUASIVE LETTER Understand the Letter Based on this letter, what can you tell about the writer? Why does the letter writer choose a senator as his audience? What opinions does the writer hold about junk foods and the companies that make them? Analyze the Tools Writers Use: State and Defend Your Position What position does the writer take in this letter? What facts and examples does the writer give to support his position? What solution does the writer propose? Why does he think that this will help? Focus on Words: Words That Describe the Writer s Point of View Below are some strong emotion words from the letter. Define each word and think about why the writer used it. Emotion Words Page Word 13 concerned 13 outraged 14 alarmed Dictionary Definition Why is it an effective word choice? 14 15

10 Please Let Me Have a Dog! In the first two paragraphs, the writer states his position. He wants a dog. He wants to convince his parents that he should have one. 16 Dear Mom and Dad, I have always wanted a dog. I am desperate to have a dog. I love animals more than anything. (Well, I love you more, of course.) I love animals so much that I want to be a vet some day. I have asked for a dog many times. Each time you have said no. When I was younger, I could see your point. But now I am older. Now I don t agree with your reasons. In fact, sometimes I get really frustrated. I want you to know how important a dog is to me. I want you to know what I will do if you let me have a dog. So I am writing you this letter. Please read my letter with an open mind. I hope it makes you change your mind. I remember what you told me when I was little. You said, You re not old enough to take care of a dog. Well, maybe that was true. But I am twelve years old now. I get myself up every morning. I make my own breakfast. I walk to school and back alone. I do my homework every night. I get good grades. I clean my room on Saturdays. I also help some neighbors take care of their pets. I took care of Mrs. Poundstone s dog and cat last summer. I have a letter from Mrs. Poundstone. You can read it. She said she would hire me again. June 2 Dear Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Justin has told me how much he wants a dog. As a pet owner, I can sympathize with him. But I told him that it was your decision. I do want you to know, however, that Justin did a GREAT job taking care of my dog and cat. He fed them. He played with them every day. And he cleaned up after them. I would hire him again any day! He is very responsible, and he is very good with animals! Sincerely, Your Neighbor, Eva Poundstone Notice how the writer gives specific examples to prove that he is old enough and responsible enough to have a dog. The writer shares a letter from someone who believes he is responsible. The writer uses this letter as evidence to support his case. 17

11 PLEASE LET ME HAVE A DOG! PLEASE LET ME HAVE A DOG! Now the writer confronts another argument that his parents have made. He agrees that dogs need to be walked, but he tells them that this will not be a problem for him. He gives specific reasons why. A letter from friends is not factual information, but it is persuasive. It shows that the writer will go to great lengths to prove he should have a dog. Mrs. Poundstone said I did a great job. This shows that I am responsible enough to have a dog. You have also said, Dogs need to be walked every day. I agree. But that is not a problem for me. I would walk my dog before breakfast every morning. I would never complain about that even if it is pouring! June 4 To Mr. and Mrs. Smith From Justin s Friends We know how much Justin wants a dog. We promise to help Justin take care of a dog. We promise to do the following things: 1. If you go on vacation, we will walk Justin s dog. 2. If Justin can t walk his dog after school, one of us will do it for him. 3. If Justin s dog gets sick, we will help Justin make money for the vet. I would take out my dog after school, too. You would never have to do it for me. I promise. I love to run around and play. The exercise would be good for me and the dog. My friends will help me, too. They have promised to help. Look at the contract they signed. The last time I asked for a dog you said, Dogs need to be trained. That costs money. You are right. So I have an idea. We can get a dog that is already trained. I read a story on the ASPCA Web site. The story told about someone who adopted a dog. The dog was two years old. The dog was very smart and well behaved. That dog didn t need to get trained! We could find that kind of dog. And we would all feel great about saving an animal from a shelter. The writer s parents are concerned about the cost of a dog. The writer proposes a solution. He supports his solution with real-world examples of older pets that were adopted. 18 Yours Truly, Tom Kelly Marcus Samson Jim Tate Gabriela Munoz We could get a big dog like this one. 19

12 PLEASE LET ME HAVE A DOG! The writer ends with an emotional appeal to his parents. Notice the words please and promise. He lets his readers know how much having a dog means to him. Mom and Dad, please let me have a dog! I would be so grateful. I would be so happy. And I would be the best master a dog ever had. I promise. Sincerely, Your son Justin REREAD THE PERSUASIVE LETTER Understand the Letter What can you tell about Justin from his letter? Why did Justin write a persuasive letter instead of speaking to his parents face-to-face? What opinions did Justin express about why he should be able to have a pet? How do you know they re opinions? Analyze the Tools Writers Use: State and Defend Your Position What position does Justin take in this letter? What is his objective, or goal? How does Justin support his position? Summarize Justin s reasons and proposed solutions. Focus on Words: Words That Describe the Writer s Point of View Below are some strong emotion words from the letter. Define each word and think about why the writer used it. Emotion Words Page Word 16 desperate Dictionary Definition Why is it an effective word choice? 16 frustrated We could also get a small dog like one of these. 20 grateful 20 21

13 THE WRITER S CRAFT How does an author write a Persuasive Letter? Reread Please Let Me Have a Dog! and think about what Justin did to write this letter. How did he state his position? How did he support it effectively? 1. Choose a Problem to Write About In a persuasive letter, the writer usually wants to talk about a problem. In this letter, Justin s problem is that he wants a dog but his parents do not want him to have one. 2. Problem Identify Your Audience The audience is the reader you are writing to. This is whom you need to convince. A writer must present facts and reasons that will convince his audience. The audience for this letter is Justin s parents. He has to prove that he should be allowed to have a dog. The writer wants a dog. The parents think that he is not old enough, dogs need to be walked, and training costs money. 3. Brainstorm Facts and Examples to Support Your Position Writers of persuasive letters support their positions with: facts (information that can be proven) concrete examples (things they have done, heard, or seen) supporting evidence (such as photographs) Audience Supporting Facts & Examples Solution Parents Writer helps a neighbor take care of her pets. He is responsible about his school work. Writer will enjoy walking the dog. He needs the exercise, too. Writer will pick an older dog that is already trained. Parents should change their minds and let writer have a dog. 4. Provide a Solution to the Problem A writer may provide one or more solutions. In this letter, Justin s parents have many reasons why he should not have a dog. Justin gives a solution for each problem in order to convince his parents

14 GLOSSARY alarmed (uh-larmd) suddenly frightened (page 14) concerned (kun-sernd) worried (page 13) desperate (DES-puh-rit) having no hope (page 16) MAKE CONNECTIONS ACROSS TEXTS Understand the Letter As a reader, how do you know the difference between facts and opinions? Writers of persuasive letters use both facts and opinions to convince you. Pick one of the letters in this book. Identify the arguments the writer used to support his or her position. Which reasons were based on fact, and which were based on opinion? How do you know? determined disappointed (dih-ter-mend) not giving up, driven to succeed (page 7) (dis-uh-point-ed) unpleasantly surprised (page 8) Use a chart like the one below to show your thinking. Reason Fact or opinion? How do you know? frustrated (FRUS-tray-ted) discouraged and upset (page 16) grateful (GRATE-ful) very thankful (page 20) optimistic outraged (ahp-tih-mis-tik) having a positive outlook (page 10) (OWT-rajed) offended; extremely upset (page 13) shocked (SHAHKT) stunned; surprised (page 8) 24

15 Genre: Persuasive Letters Level: K/20 Three Persuasive Letters Do you have a cause worth fighting for? Then make your opinions known by writing letters to the people who can do something to help. How? Read this book to find out. Enjoy all of these Nonfiction Readers & Writers Genre Workshop titles. Biography Book Reviews Persuasive Letters Personal Narratives Cynthia Swain lives in New York City with her family. Her twins attend middle school and love to read and write. B E N C H M A R K E D U C A T I O N C O M P A N Y