Level Red
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Chapter 5 Writer’s Workshop (pp. 110–116)
Persuasive Essay
Read one writer’s persuasive essay below. How convincing is the writer’s argument? Discuss the essay’s
strengths and weaknesses with a partner.
Writing Model
Saving Trees Saves Us
What do you see on our school grounds? You’ll probably notice a
big gray building, a black parking lot, a gray playground, and a small
Sentence variety
field with patches of grass. What don’t you see? Trees. Planting trees
would make our school look beautiful, but there are more important
reasons why trees should be planted. Did you know that trees
naturally clean the air? Also, have you ever heard of trees saving
Strong introduction that
includes a brief scene and
interesting facts
school grounds to clean the air and to reduce heating and cooling
Thesis that states two clear
reasons
costs.
First, planting trees will clean the air around us. Trees do
this naturally by getting rid of particles and gases that cause air
First reason
Facts that support reason
pollution, such as carbon monoxide. Trees take in these particles and
gases, called pollutants, and still only release oxygen. For example,
picture all of the cars in the school parking lot. There are at least 75
of them. Do you realize how much carbon monoxide they produce?
The school parking lot is the first place where we should plant
several trees.
With cleaner air, we’ll be able to breathe more easily. For instance,
Dr. Raymond Gomez from Kids First Health Clinic states, “The cases
Expert’s quotation to
support first reason
of children with asthma and severe allergies are growing each year.
Since children are in school all day, schools must have an abundance
of trees and plants to help students breathe better.”
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Copyright © by William H. Sadlier, Inc. Permission to duplicate classroom quantities granted to users of Grammar for Writing.
people tons of money? It’s true. Our class should plant trees on the
Continued
Writing Model
Second, planting trees on school grounds will reduce heating and
cooling costs. For example, trees can block cold winds, especially
during the winter. They serve as “windbreakers” and help reduce
Second reason
Clear organization with
reasons and evidence
listed in order
the amount of indoor heating we need. In addition, on hot days,
trees create shade when they’re planted near windows. The more
shade they make, the less air conditioning we have to use. In fact,
scientists at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency state that
three shade trees can reduce a home’s utility bill by about $100 to
Variety of facts that
support reason
$250 each year. Imagine how much a whole school would save.
For instance, consider Liberty School. Since Liberty School
Specific example of a
school that planted trees
planted twenty trees last year, they’ve seen their electricity bills
reduced by 40%. Now that money is being used towards field trips
into a schoolwide project. Students learned which trees created the
best shade, and they picked the trees themselves. Science teachers
taught lessons on how trees clean the air and reduce energy costs.
Other teachers showed students how to properly plant a tree.
Some people argue that planting trees is too expensive. They
Counterargument
presented in a fair way
worry that it would be too costly to buy and maintain trees. However,
the money we would spend on trees and maintenance is very little
Response to the argument
in a reasonable tone
compared to the money we’d save on utility bills.
Do you want to breathe cleaner air and save money for our
school? If so, join the Committee for a Cleaner School Environment.
Satisfying conclusion that
includes a call to action
We’re meeting during lunch on Wednesday in the library. Bring your
lunch and any friends interested in improving our environment. We
can make things better if we work together.
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Copyright © by William H. Sadlier, Inc. Permission to duplicate classroom quantities granted to users of Grammar for Writing.
and new soccer uniforms. Also, the school turned the tree-planting