The Power of the Pen: Write a Persuasive Letter
Topics: Middle School, Writing
Have you ever gotten a bad can of tuna, or been on the wrong side of a city proposition? How about writing a letter to state your case and demand redress? Didn't think so. But letter-writing is a powerful way to express concerns: more tangible than a phone call or an email, less extreme than an attorney file, it's a throwback to when citizens communicated their concerns using the power of the pen.
For middle school students, letter-writing is even more valuable. They're learning to write persuasively in the classroom, and using evidence to support their assertions. They're also full of opinions about the injustices in their world. So show your child that the pen really is mightier than the sword with this fun writing exercise!
- First, ask you child what issues he cares about that he would like to change. Is it the quality of the cafeteria food? The amount of homework he receives? Or something more broad, such as animal testing or pollution?
- After you've found your cause, think about who to address your letter to. Is it the school principal? The mayor of your town? Your local congressperson? Find the address, and get an envelop ready.
- Gather the facts. Do some research into the issue and find out as much as you can about the pros and cons. Knowing the other side of the issue will give you an extra leg up in your argument.
- Now's the time to state your case. Remember: writing a good persuasive letter means backing up your opinions with solid evidence. Why is the issue a problem? Who else is affected? What are the experts saying? What do your friends think? Acknowledge the other side of the issue. For example, you could write, “I understand improving the quality and variety of the cafeteria food may be more expensive for the school system.” Then provide your counterargument: “However, I believe that healthy and happy students are worth the extra cost.”
- Once you've finished your letter, proofread it for spelling errors, grammatical structure, and use of paragraphs. Include your name and address, and send it on its way!
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Comments from readers
Clearly this boy understands his abilities and wants to focus on what he CAN DO (ropin' and ridin') versus what he can't do (sit in a classroom being bored and frustrated). I say more power to him! He seems to understand already that school will not provide him the educational and social outlets he is looking for. If he is, as you say "bright" and "well-adjusted" then what is the problem? For him to have to sit in school with rowdy kids who take the teacher's attention away from him IS a waste of his time.
If you're concerned about social development, why can't he instead use his free afternoons to participate in hands-on activities - have him go out into the community and participate socially with adults and peers in a setting that does not waste his time - such as volunteering at a retirement home, assisting in a library or hospital, etc. Or have him enter a ropin' and ridin' competition or club...
The point of school after all, is to teach young people to become productive members of society - you don't need a "school building" for that to happen - give him the real-life experiences he is obviously craving - he will thank you for it!
I was public-schooled and was personally scarred socially from it - quite severely (not saying all kids are, but it's awfully common). My husband and I, on the other hand, have well-adjusted children who have held onto their self-esteem. Home + school is taken way too literally. Our kids aren't "stuck in the house." Hardly! They are involved in multiple outside activities and have several friends. They're not sheltered freaks and homeschooling is not a new "movement." There are hundreds of such families where we live. We actually have to pick and choose what to participate in since there are so many offerings.
On the contrary, public-schooled kids are made to conform, only have same-age peers (many of whom are mean and immature) to interact with, and are often reprimanded for "socializing" during school. Kids are labeled. It's very disheartening. They are the ones missing out. Recess is sadly becoming a thing of the past as well. There is no healthy socialization happening in the majority of public schools! (The wool's over the eyes of anyone who doesn't see this in society.)
Unfortunately, too many public educators don't "educate" themselves about the truths of well-rounded homeschooled children. They are quick to assume the stereotypes, which are usually way off base. A little "Homeschool 101" for you: Homeschooled children typically much better off socially than their public-schooled counterparts. They tend to be much more mature and polite (by a landslide) as well. Believe me when I say that I've been a big part of both worlds and know. It's a night and day difference!
More power to that young man! It took me becoming a parent of a "bright" (exceptionally) child who didn't fit into a 'blue-ribbon' school district (in kindergarten with a very young, second-year teacher, who hadn't a clue how to reach him, no less!) to reassess what we were doing and realize that we had much better options. He's going on 13 years old now. His younger siblings are happily homeschooling, too. They DO get to socialize rather than do 5-6hrs of homework after a full day of "school" (which translates to time needed to manage a classroom full of kids -- they don't spend 7-8hrs actually doing lessons or learning, that's why they bring their work home!) either. Again, I've been there. My husband has, too. We have friends and family going through it. It's horrible.
Please don't wrongfully judge homeschoolers when you haven't been there. You're way off base!
http://www.education.com/question/time-home-school-parents-seek/
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