Persuasive Essay Topics

| Standards |

Research Questions: Persuasion
http://valencia.cc.fl.us/lrcwest/kaysmith.html
"This is a list of topics to consider for research of a two-sided persuasive issue. All of the general headings (except for American History can be found as specific book titles in the series Opposing Viewpoints."

Persuasive Topics
http://web.archive.org/web/20050707013243/http://www.leeogle.org/byron/bhs/library/persuasion.htm
"For help choosing a topic, go to the Choosing a Topic worksheet at the bottom of this page."

Help With Speech Topics
http://faculty.cincinnatistate.edu/gesellsc/publicspeaking/topics1.html
"Almost any informative topic can become a persuasive topic by adding a call-to-action step. "

Persuasive Speech Topics
http://web.archive.org/web/20061005080120/http://www.faulkton.k12.sd.us/persuasive_speech_topics.htm

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Reading\Language Arts Content Standards

Grade 6

2.0 Writing Applications (Genres and Their Characteristics)

Students write narrative, expository, persuasive, and descriptive texts of at least 500 to 700 words in each genre. Student writing demonstrates a command of standard American English and the research, organizational, and drafting strategies outlined in Writing Standard 1.0.

Using the writing strategies of grade six outlined in Writing Standard 1.0, students:

2.5 Write persuasive compositions:

1. State a clear position on a proposition or proposal.
2. Support the position with organized and relevant evidence.
3. Anticipate and address reader concerns and counterarguments.

Grade 7

2.0 Writing Applications (Genres and Their Characteristics)

Students write narrative, expository, persuasive, and descriptive texts of at least 500 to 700 words in each genre. The writing demonstrates a command of standard American English and the research, organizational, and drafting strategies outlined in Writing Standard 1.0.

Using the writing strategies of grade seven outlined in Writing Standard 1.0, students

2.4 Write persuasive compositions:
a. State a clear position or perspective in support of a proposition or proposal.
b. Describe the points in support of the proposition, employing well-articulated evidence.
c. Anticipate and address reader concerns and counterarguments.

Grade 8

2.0 Writing Applications (Genres and Their Characteristics)

Students write narrative, expository, persuasive, and descriptive essays of at least 500 to 700 words in each genre. Student writing demonstrates a command of standard American English and the research, organizational, and drafting strategies outlined in Writing Standard 1.0.

Using the writing strategies of grade eight outlined in Writing Standard 1.0, students:

2.4 Write persuasive compositions:
a. Include a well-defined thesis (i.e., one that makes a clear and knowledgeable judgment).
b. Present detailed evidence, examples, and reasoning to support arguments, differentiating between facts and opinion.
c. Provide details, reasons, and examples, arranging them effectively by anticipating and answering reader concerns and counterarguments.

ISTE NETS
National Educational Technology Standards (NETSoS) and Performance Indicators for Students:

3. Research and Information Fluency
Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information. Students:

a. plan strategies to guide inquiry.
b. locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and ethically use information from a variety of sources and
media.
c. evaluate and select information sources and digital tools based on the appropriateness to specific tasks.
d. process data and report results.

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