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Persuasion Unit

While 7th graders write several major papers during the year, the persuasion unit was the most extensive writing unit. We began by learning about author's perspective followed by learning that an argument is a statement that someone believes is true. Strong readers know that it is important to recognize an author's argument, and strong writers are able to state an argument and defend it with evidence.

After spending several weeks developing the necessary skills and background, we began determining what our individual arguments were relaated to environmental studies. Students then conducted research to find evidence to support their argument.

The result was a paper and a technology project; the links to each of which is located below. The purpose of the technology phase of the persuasion unit was to allow students the opportunity to persuade others to their point of view using a “real life” format and to provide them with the opportunity to experience some type of presentation software. Below are the choices students were given.

**This is very important.** While the products found at these links are terrific, it is the processes students were engaged in throughout this unit that is most important. Through these efforts, students become critical thinkers, readers, and writers.


 * Also very Important.** If you see any errors or corrections that need to be made, please let me know. (Karen Mixdorf)

 The purpose of a commercial is to persuade others. In this case, your commercial is considered a public service announcement. You are not selling a product. You are selling an idea or an argument. You will be using Xtranormal, an online computer generated software program, to create your commercial.  The purpose of a radio spot is also to persuade listeners to an idea or point of view. In this case, only the voice will be recorded. Radio commercials rely on the emotion of the voice and music to persuade readers. You will be using an application on your computer called Garageband as well as Soundzabound for music to create your commercial  The comic strip in this instance will not be one to entertain but rather to persuade. If you choose this option, you will be expected to use a specific online comic strip generator. As with the other options, there is planning and thought which occurs before you create your comic strip. Comics seem like an easy choice but they actually take much thought to be effective. Option 4: Create a brochure  Many companies, governmental offices, and organizations create brochures to influence people’s thinking. In this case, the brochure will be a tri-fold that you create using technology to persuade people to your point of view. Option 5: Create a media image (poster, billboard) Many organizations continue to persuade others using a single image or picture. This is distributed as a poster, ad, or billboard. Some of the most powerful persuasive campaigns have used this approach. This is not an easy project to do well. You will be using an online poster-maker called Glogster.
 * Option 1: Create a commercial **
 * Hunting Gray Wolves: Brandon P || Recycling: Jennifer N || Captive Animals: Brycelyn H || Air Pollution: Courtney A ||
 * Polar Bears: Abby and Raena || Drilling for Oil: Clayton and Skyler ||  ||   ||
 *  Option 2: Create a radio spot **
 * Global Warming: Carina C || Nuclear Energy: Luis N || Fossil Fuels: Elias G || Ethan and Gabe Radio || Endangered Species: Hunter F ||
 * Gray Wolves: Jonathan L || Overpopulation: Kolbie C || Endangered Species: Lex D || Hunting Wolves: Mark H || Recycling: Kaitlin and Shayla ||
 * Deer Hunting: Wyatt H || Animal Testing: Minnie and Danae ||  ||   ||   ||
 * Option 3: Create a comic strip **
 * Endangered Species: Allison Y || Drilling in Alaska: Jarret M || Factory Farming: Megan S || Hunting Deer: Nathan W || Drilling Oil: Nyana O ||
 * Recycling: Rachael W || Hunting: Alicia G || Logging: Levi W || Nuclear Power: Jacquez ||  ||
 * Captive Animals: Riley D || Hunting Wolves: Secoyah || Hunting Wolves: Daniel and Jose ||  ||   ||
 * Factory Farms: Abby L || Captive Animals: Jensen V || Population: Lyda S || Captive Animals: Mallory T ||
 * Animal Testing: Sabrina H || Captive Exotic Animals: Mahala || Deer Hunting: McKenna Knock ||  ||
 * Animal Testing: Alana N || Overpopulation: Athena P || Nuclear Power: Chris A || Overpopulation: Jade B || Factory Farming: Jasmine S ||
 * Animal Testing: Yessinia C || Hunting: Jonah B || Snowmobiling: Jose C || Kyle K Hunting || Animal Testing: Lacey T ||
 * Captive Animals: Lauren Y || Recycling: Manuel R || Hunting Wolves: Ruben F || Captive Marine Animals: Analea O || Animal Testing: Andrea M ||
 * Logging: Ashley T || Nuclear Energy: Colton H || Animal Testing: Diego N || Overpopulation: Dillon G || Overpopulation: Ellie C ||
 * E-Waste: Gage A || Overpopulation: Jazmin N || Polar Bears: Luis A || Recycling: Mira W || Wetlands: Rachel R ||
 * Hunting Wolves: Rubi G || Overpopulation: Ariana D || Overpopulation: Autumn P || Population: Cassy P || Recycling: Celise S ||
 * Farming: Drew || Nuclear Power: Ian M || Overpopulation: Jayden || Endangered Species: Jessica M || Captive Animals: Sara Z ||
 * Animal Testing: Serena L || Landfills: Shae || Animal Testing: Thayne Lamb || @Electric Cars Vaughn W || @Snakes Skiles J ||

Option 6: Blog <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Increasingly people are using blogs to encourage others to their point of view. Blogs are online “journals.” Your paper should help you a great deal here. You do need to make it presentable so others are encouraged to read it. You will be using an application called Pages on your computer to complete this.
 * Captive Animals: Anna D || Population: Jordyn T || Animal Testing: Onel V || Captive Animals: Aubrey P || Nuclear Power: Hunter W ||
 * Endangered Species: Heavan and Celia || Marine Animal captivity: Kaley ||  ||   ||   ||