All states which do not have a mandatory helmet law for motorcyclists should
institute one without delay. It is inconceivable that there are still places in this country
where a person can legally ride a motorcycle on the highway at speeds of 60-65 mph
without any protection for his head.
Motorcycling is an inherently dangerous activity. Statistically speaking, it is far
more dangerous than traveling in an automobile where one at least has the luxury of
four wheels being in contact with the road and a comfortable, safe enclosure of glass
and steel, as well. Accident figures show that motorcyclists are seven times more
likely to be involved in fatal accidents than are their four-wheeled brethren, and
they suffer severe head trauma in accidents three times as often as automobile
occupants. In addition, motorcycles do not feature occupant-restraint systems; there
is no such thing as a motorcycle seatbelt or a motorcycle air bag. When a
motorcyclist becomes involved in an accident, he frequently becomes a free-flying
object, separated from his vehicle. Riding in the absence of head protection becomes an
invitation to disaster.
A motorcyclist traveling down the road without a helmet delivers a poor
message to our impressionable youth. Often it seems as if motorcyclists are more
interested in promoting a free-spirit image than one of a responsible vehicle operator.
When young people regularly see this sort of thing they, too, become convinced that
image overrides basic safety. Often they pay for adopting this attitude. In 1979, John
Colburn, a young California high school student, was killed when he lost control of
his motorcycle at a scant 30 mph. When he became separated from his bike, his
head, unfortunately, was the first thing to impact the pavement. In an even more
bizarre event, Mike Renson, a veteran of more than 20 years of motorcycling, lost
his life when he was struck from the rear by a pickup truck while sitting, motionless,
at an intersection in Las Vegas, Nevada. He was catapulted into the vehicle in front of
him and his helmet-less head impacted the rear windshield of the vehicle. If events such
as these don’t drive home the need for a mandatory helmet law, what will?
Perhaps the most compelling reason for a mandatory helmet law nationwide,
however, is that helmet-less motorcyclists cost us all money, regardless of the kinds of
vehicles we operate. Insurance statistics prove that motorcyclists have the worst
track record of all motor vehicle operators. According to the National Insurance
Underwriters Association, a person is ten times more likely to become paralyzed as
the result of a motorcycle accident than as the result of an automobile accident.
Why? Because most injuries resulting in paralysis are caused by head injuries —
head injuries that could easily be prevented by wearing a helmet. In the final
analysis, these severe injuries cause everyone’s insurance rates to rise needlessly.
The time is right for all motorcyclists nationwide to be required to wear helmets
while riding their machines. Little else makes sense. If motorcyclists as a group are
unwilling or incapable of recognizing the danger helmet-less riding poses, then perhaps
it is high time the rest of us take action to protect them from their own ignorance.
Assume that you are writing a persuasive piece on the subject of organ donation. The government
is actively considering passing a law that says it is the duty of every citizen to donate at least one
body organ (heart, liver, pancreas, etc.) at the time of his or her death. You are intrigued by this
idea and believe it would be wise to have such a law.
Pretend that you have already written the introductory paragraph for this piece. You have done
your brainstorming of reasons, and two of the reasons you have decided to use in your writing are
listed below. Under each reason below, create your own list of facts, examples, and statistics to
help support it. After your lists have been created, choose the two or three facts, examples, or
statistics that you think best support the reason and write an effective body paragraph as you
might if you were actually doing the entire piece. Remember to begin the paragraphs with the
reason statements provided.
Reason 1: The critical need for donor organs cannot be filled by volunteer donations alone.
(Add Facts, Examples, and Statistics)
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The Support of Reasoning Class Worksheet 7
Reason 2: Mandatory organ donations would ease the worry and anxiety of those waiting to
receive donated organs. (Add facts, examples or statistics here)
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The Support of Reasoning Class Worksheet 7, continued
A good persuasive writer always supports his reasoning with good facts, examples, and statistics.
Telling the difference between a fact, an example, and a statistic can sometimes be tricky. After
first reviewing the criteria for each of these support statements, examine the following sentences.
Based upon what you understand, classify each sentence as a fact (F), an example (E), or a
statistic (S). Place the correct letter in front of each statement.
1. ________ In 1990, three million tons of ore was removed from the mine, which
represented a 6% increase over 1989 production.
2. ________ Women in many Middle Eastern countries are required to conceal their faces
when they go out in public.
3. ________ Average summer temperatures in the United States have risen steadily during
the past decade.
4. ________ Over two-thirds of those polled said they favored the President’s plan to
reduce the deficit.
5. ________ For instance, in 1980, the Columbus Zoo (Columbus, OH) became the first
zoo in the United States to take steps to actively promote wildlife conservation.
6. ________ The cost of a first-class postage stamp has risen over 700% in the past thirty
years.
7. ________ The average American child receives far less physical education instruction
than does the average German or Japanese child.
8. ________ For example, baseball pitcher Nolan Ryan threw a fastball early in his career
that was virtually unhittable.
9. ________ Over 40,000 public school students would be affected by the new lunch
policy.
10. ________ Many animal species which were once endangered are now making strong
comebacks, thanks to increased public awareness.
11. ________ American soldiers have fought in four major wars in the twentieth century.
12. ________ Disneyland® receives over 2,000,000 visitors annually.
13. ________ For instance, the world record for pedaling a bicycle across the U.S. has been
shattered repeatedly during the last twenty years.
14. ________ Deaths due to vehicular traffic accidents during this Memorial Day weekend
were 18% lower than during the same period one year ago.
15. ________ Bicycling has grown immensely in popularity during the past 20 years.