Persuasive Essay Writing

Persuasive Essay Writing

Follow the assignment instructions and review the rubric:

Now that you have analyzed the Declaration of Independence, Stanton’s Declaration of Sentiments, and King’s “Letter From A Birmingham Jail,” you will think of a cause you want to make a statement about and write your own “declaration.”

As you plan, think about….

What are your grievances? What in your life do you believe is so deeply unfair that it demands remedy?

Focus on the personal. You may choose serious topics (gender, race/ethnicity, sexuality, social media, education costs) or less serious topics (parental rules, homework, dress codes). Avoid larger, controversial issues like guns, healthcare, etc.

Do your grievances fall into categories, or do they constitute many separate issues?

For the preamble, what parts of the documents you studied, if any, do you want to draw on?

All of the documents are a call to action: Jefferson’s to a military revolution for independence; Stanton to widespread activism; King’s to nonviolent protest. What will your call to action be?

Requirements:

Begin with a preamble (introduction) where you explain why you are writing your declaration, culminating in a clearly stated claim of policy.
One or more body paragraphs detailing your grievances.
Must include specific mention of your audience: to whom are you addressing your complaints?
A paragraph explaining any attempts you have already made to try and address these grievances.
A final paragraph where you declare your “independence”–that is, what you want to change as a result of your writing this document.
Carefully chosen diction throughout
A minimum of three allusions that serve to emphasize your message (these could be to a religion, to a film, to a song, to a TV show…)Introduction/Preamble + Claim of Policy
Occasionally Exceeds the Standards: Thoroughly explains reasons for writing declaration; culminates in a clearly and eloquently stated claim of policy.

Meets the Standards: Effectively explains reasons for writing declaration; culminates in a stated claim of policy.

Below the Standards: Missing or does not effectively explain reasons for writing declaration; does not culminate in a clearly stated claim of policy or claim is missing.
Maximum score15
Paragraphs / Grievances
Occasionally Exceeds the Standards: Body paragraphs list sufficient and specific grievances and describe them vividly.

Meets the Standards: Body paragraphs list sufficient grievances and effectively describe them.

Below the Standards: Body paragraphs do not list sufficient grievances and/or fails to effectively describe them
Maximum score20
Audience
Occasionally Exceeds the Standards: Author shows a clear sense of audience that always informs the writer’s choices.

Meets the Standards: Author shows a sense of audience that often informs writers’ choices.

Below the Standards: Author shows little or no sense of audience
Maximum score15
Paragraph on Attempts to address these grievances.
Occasionally Exceeds the Standards: Vividly describes attempts to address these grievances with great specificity.

Meets the Standards: Effectively describes attempts to address these grievances with some specificity.

Below the Standards: Missing or does not address grievances in a clear manner; or addresses grievances too briefly/ineffectively.
Maximum score20
Final Paragraph
Occasionally Exceeds the Standards: The final paragraph clearly declares “independence”–and clearly and eloquently states what the author wants to change.

Meets the Standards: The final paragraph declares “independence”–and clearly states what the author wants to change.

Below the Standards: The final paragraph is missing or doesn’t declare “independence”–and/or does not state what the author wants to change.
Maximum score15
Use of Allusions
Occasionally Exceeds the Standards: Three allusions are present and meaningfully enhance author purpose.

Meets the Standards: Three allusions are present and enhance author purpose.

Below the Standards: Allusions are missing or may be too few or do not enhance author purpose.
Maximum score10
Mechanics
Occasionally Exceeds the Standards: No errors in grammar and spelling.

Meets the Standards: A few errors in grammar and spelling exist but do not cause confusion.

Below the Standards: The errors in grammar and spelling cause confusion.
Maximum score5