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8/12/2019 WritingComp All
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WRITING
COMPETENCYPRACTICE Third Edition
Revised&Expanded
By Andrea Levinson Kane, M.S., and Barbara Martorana, Ed. D.
B161
8/12/2019 WritingComp All
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WRITINGCOMPETENCYPRACTICE Third Edition
Revised &Expanded
By Andrea Levinson Kane, M.S.and Barbara Martorana, Ed. D.
EAProdux, Ltd.
Editors:
Carol Harris Stern/Rosalie Dow
Graphic Design:
Timothy Homkow
Cover Design:
Timothy Homkow/Ray Ringston
Cartoons:
Charles Berger
ISBN-13: 978-0-79255-735-7
ISBN-10: 0-79255-735-2
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized
in any form or any means without permission in writing from the publisher.
Printed in the U.S.A.
P.O. Box 87Baldwin, NY 11510
800.797.3223www.edact.com
MMVII
Credits:
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i
TABLE OF CONTENTS
WRITING THE BUSINESS LETTER
The Business Letter Form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
The Parts of the Business Letter Exercise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Writing a Letter of Order Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-4
Correcting a Business Letter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Recommended State Abbreviations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Business Letter of Order Exercises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-16
Sample Business Letter of Complaint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17-18
Business Letter of Complaint Exercises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19-28
ORGANIZING AND WRITING A REPORT
Arranging Ideas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29-30
Categorizing by Main Idea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
Practice in Categorizing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
Keeping Main Ideas in Your Paragraphs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
Step-by-Step: Organizing and Writing a Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34-35
Writing a Report Exercises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36-51
WRITING TO EXPLAIN YOUR OPINION
Knowing Your Audience: Using Appropriate Vocabulary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52Developing a Sense of Audience . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53
Identifying the Topic Sentence and Supporting Details . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54
Supplying Supporting Details . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55
Writing to Explain Your Opinion: Sample Exercise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56
Writing to Explain Your Opinion Exercises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57-64
WRITING TO PERSUADE OTHERS
Knowing Your Audience: Choosing Suitable Arguments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65
Appealing to Your Audience . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66
Using the Proper Tone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67Sample Persuasive Essay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68
Writing to Persuade Exercises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69-76
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
WRITING A NARRATIVE
Sequencing Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77
Using Transitional Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78-79
Maintaining a Point of View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80
Telling a Story - Mix and Match . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81
Preliminary Narrative Exercises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82
Narrative Warm-up Exercises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83-84
Writing a Narrative Exercises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .85-95
WRITING A DESCRIPTIONPutting Yourself in the Readers Place . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .96
Supplying Specific Details . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .97
Using Concrete Language and Specific Details . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .98
Description Checklists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .99
Writing a Description Exercises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100-107
INTERPRETING LITERATURE
Commonly Used English Idioms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .108
Practice with Idioms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .109-112
Identifying Literary Elements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .113Literary Techniques Frequently Used by Authors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114
Writing the Critical Lens Essay with Sample . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115-117
Practice in Paraphrasing Quotations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118-119
Writing the Critical Lens Essay Exercises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .120-123
Additional Topics for the Critical Lens Essay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .124
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THE BUSINESS LETTER FORM
(1) HEADING
This tells the company where to send
your order or their reply to your letter.
(2) INSIDE ADDRESS
Name and address of person/company
to whom you are writing.
(3) SALUTATION OR GREETING
(4) BODY
Briefly and clearly state your business.
DO NOT repeat your address since it
is in the heading.
(5) CLOSING
(6) SIGNATURE
DO NOT print your name.
DO NOT use a nickname.
(7) TYPED OR PRINTED NAME
Helps the company answer your
letter if your signature is not clear.
1
(1) Your Street Number
City, State Zip CodeDate
(2) Persons Name (if known)
Company Name
Street Address
City, State Zip Code
(3) Dear Madam or Sir: (or give persons name, if known)
(4)
(5)Yours truly,
(6)Your Signature
(7)Typed or Printed Name
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THE PARTS OF THE BUSINESS LETTER EXERCISE
The following parts of the business letter are written correctly. Study them carefully, noting particularly
the capitalization and punctuation. Use them for reference in answering the questions.
HEADING: GREETING OR SALUTATION:
1066 Hastings Place Dear Ms. Jones:Collins, Iowa 50055-1234 Ladies and Gentlemen:October 18, 2008 Dear Madam or Sir:
CLOSING: Yours truly, Very truly yours,
Some of the parts of the letter given below are correct; some are not. If a form is correct, put a C onthe line to the right. If the form is not correct, write the proper form on the line to the right. The first
one has been done for you.
1. 44 caesar street 44 Caesar Street
Cleveland Ohio 44135 Cleveland, Ohio 44135
March 15, 2008 C
2. Great Gifts, Inc.
P. O. Box, 1492
Peck Kansas, 67120
3. Yours Truely,
4. Dear: Madam or Sir
5. Joans Loans
726 Cactus Gulch
Dulce, NM 87528
6. 17, Lakewood Drive
Ogden, utah 84401
June 24 2008
7. Sincerely, yours
8. Lady
9. Fiesta Fast Foods,
18 Dave Lane
Houston texas 77008
10. Dear Mr. Smith,
2
INSIDE ADDRESS:
Les Jeans1475 BroadwayNew York, NY 10017-3235
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WRITING A LETTER OF ORDER PRACTICE
Using the space below, arrange the following information into a business letter. Use your own address
and todays date as the heading.
To: Good Health Insurance Co.; 555 Welfare Boulevard; Hartford, Connecticut 06109-6548. Ladies and
Gentlemen: Please send me a copy of your booklet, Exercise for Health, which was advertised intodays edition of The Record. I am enclosing a check for $5.00 to cover the cost of postage and
handling. Yours truly, Your Signature, Your Name Typed or Printed.
(1)_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
(2)_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
(3)_________________________________:
(4)_________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________.
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________.
(5)_______________________________________
(6)_______________________________________
(7)_______________________________________
Now compare your letter with the sample on the next page. Be sure to check your capitalization and
punctuation carefully against the model.
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SAMPLE BUSINESS LETTER OF ORDER
Compare the letter you wrote on the previous page with the one below. Note and correct your mistakes.
Be especially careful in checking your capitalization, punctuation, and spelling. You may wish to keep
this model letter for future reference.
4
123 Fourth Street
Freeport, New York 11520-5648
September 18, 2008
Good Health Insurance Co.
555 Welfare Boulevard
Hartford, Connecticut 06109-4720
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Please send me a copy of your booklet, Exercise for Health, which was advertised in
todays edition of The Record.
I am enclosing a check for $5.00 to cover the cost of postage and handling.
Yours truly,
Your Signature
Your Name Typed or Printed
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CORRECTING A BUSINESS LETTER
Play teacher by reviewing and correcting the business letter below:
5
2778 East Juniper drive
phoenix, arizona, 85025-9878
March 4, 2008
superintendent of Documents
government printing office
Washington, dc 20402-4730
Dear: Madam Or Sir,
please send me one copy of The national parks of the united states: map and guide.
I am enclosing a check for $4.95 to cover the cost of the publication.
Yours, Turley
Duane MillerDuane Miller
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RECOMMENDED STATE ABBREVIATIONS
In order to increase the speed, accuracy, and quality of mail delivery, the United States Postal Service
recommends the use of the special state abbreviations followed by the nine-digit ZIP code. ZIP coded
mail can be processed quickly by automatic equipment; however, mail without ZIP codes must be
sorted by hand at every distribution point.
The special state abbreviation and the ZIP code should be placed as follows:
Ms. Kathryn G. Milton
1492 Columbus Avenue
Houston, TX 77008-7320
U.S.P.S. STATE ABBREVIATIONS:
6
Alabama . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . AL
Alaska . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . AK
Arizona . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . AZ
Arkansas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . AR
California . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CA
Colorado . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CO
Connecticut . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CT
Delaware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DE
Florida . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FL
Georgia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . GA
Guam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . GU
Hawaii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . HI
Idaho . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ID
Illinois . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IL
Indiana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IN
Iowa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IA
Kansas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . KS
Kentucky . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . KY
Louisiana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . LA
Maine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ME
Maryland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MDMassachusetts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MA
Michigan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MI
Minnesota . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MN
Mississippi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MS
Missouri . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MO
Montana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MT
Nebraska . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NE
Nevada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NV
New Hampshire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NH
New Jersey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NJ
New Mexico . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NM
New York . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NY
North Dakota . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ND
Ohio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . OH
Oklahoma . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . OK
Oregon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . OR
Pennsylvania . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PA
Puerto Rico . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PR
Rhode Island . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . RI
South Carolina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SC
South Dakota . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SD
Tennessee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TN
Texas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TX
Utah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . UT
Vermont . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . VT
Virginia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . VAVirgin Islands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . VI
Washington . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . WA
West Virginia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . WV
Wisconsin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . WI
Wyoming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . WY
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BUSINESS LETTER OF ORDER EXERCISE NO. 1
Read the advertisement below:
Write a business letter ordering ONE of these pens for yourself. When you write your business
letter, be sure to:
Write your address and todays date at the top of your letter.
Give the company all the information it will need to fill your order.
Use an acceptable business letter form.
Write complete sentences.
Check your spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and usage.
7
TEN PENS FOR THE PRICE OF ONE!
RED BLUE GREEN BLACK PURPLE
PINK YELLOW ORANGE SILVER GOLD
Change colors as you change your mood!
A simple click gives you the color of your choice!
A must for anyone who wants to get a message across colorfully!
Order yours today. Only $9.99 each, postage and handling included
Send your check or money order to: NOVELTY PENS, INC.72 BLUEPOINT STREET
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60614-5647
RAINBOWRITERS
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BUSINESS LETTER OF ORDER EXERCISE NO. 2
Read the advertisement below:
Make a personal statement with:
Write a business letter ordering one package of memo pads for yourself. Specify the slogan and the
color you want. In addition, be sure to: Give the company all the information it will need to fill your order.
Use an acceptable business letter form.
Enclose a check or money order for the proper amount.
Check your spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and usage.
8
The personalized memo pad that allows you to
choose the color & slogan you want.
Pads are available in white, yellow, pink, or blue
with choice of the slogans:
School-dazed
From the desk of _____________
Stolen from ______________
Quiet Zone... Student Sleeping
ORDER TODAY! A package of three pads ofone color and slogan is only $5.95, plus $4.50 forpostage and handling.
MEMOREESSterling Stationary Company
1218 Penfield RoadPaterson, New Jersey 07513-5642
MEMOMAGIC
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SAMPLE BUSINESS LETTER OF COMPLAINT
OR REQUEST FOR ADJUSTMENTThe Question:
The directions for writing the business letter of complaint typically take one of the two following
forms. Review them carefully.
(1) On September 19, 2008, you ordered a set of $17.95 budget stereo headphones, advertised in
that days Record, from Music Masters, Inc. The set you ordered was Delta Model 40 with
cushioned earcups and an adjustable headband. Today your order arrived in the mail, but instead
of the Delta 40 stereo headphones, you received a set of Delta Model 30 headphones which
are not stereo and which do not have an adjustable headband.
Write a business letter concerning this situation to:
Music Masters, Inc.; 1654 Balfour Drive; Evanston, Illinois 60211-4563.
(2) Directions: Write a business letter about the situation described below.
Read all the information carefully before you begin to write.
The situation: Item ordered: one set of $17.95 budget stereo headphones,
Delta Model 40 with cushioned earcups and adjustable headband
Date ordered: September 19, 2008
Problem: You received Delta Model 30 which has no stereo
capability and a non-adjustable headband.
Your task: Write a business letter concerning this situation to:Music Masters, Inc.; 1654 Balfour Drive;Evanston, Illinois 60211-4563.
In your letter, be sure to:
Explain the situation. Explain what you want the company to do for you. Give complete and correct information. Use an acceptable business letter form.
The format:
Like the letter of order, the letter of complaint is brief and to the point. Generally, it is divided into
two paragraphs:
Paragraph One - describes the situation.
Paragraph Two - explains the action you would like the company to take.
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THE SAMPLE LETTER
Review the following sample letter for requesting an adjustment. Note that the first paragraph describes
what happened and the second explains what the writer wants the company to do.
2121 Brookview Court
Blair, South Carolina 29015-6547
October 28, 2008
Music Masters, Inc.
1654 Balfour Drive
Evanston, Illinois 60211-4563
Dear Music Masters:
On September 19, 2008, I ordered one set of your $17.95 budget stereo headphones, as advertised in
that days Record. Today, however, instead of the Delta Model 40 set, which has cushioned earcups
and an adjustable headband, I received a Delta Model 30 set which is not stereo and which has a
non-adjustable headband.
I am returning the Model 30 set by parcel post today. I would appreciate your exchanging this Model
30 set for the Model 40 set as soon as possible.
Yours truly,
Andrew LynchAndrew Lynch
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BUSINESS LETTER OF COMPLAINT EXERCISE NO. 1
Last week you bought a Tipsy bathroom scale for $19.95, tax included, at Rimbels Department Store.
The scale, however, hasnt worked since you bought it.
When you returned it to the store, the clerk in the Refund and Exchange Department informed you that
it is company policy to give even exchanges only. Since you are sick of weighing either 14 or 292pounds, and since you no longer have confidence in Tipsy scales and Rimbels, you would rather have
your money back so you can apply it toward buying a better scale somewhere else.
Write a polite, but firm, letter to Rimbels at 5678 Jason Street; Buffalo, New York 14212-4569. Be sure
to state the problem clearly and ask them to return your money.
BUSINESS LETTER OF COMPLAINT EXERCISE NO. 2You recently ordered four turtleneck sweaters (Catalog No. 60382-X) from Bettys Boutique; Store 37;
The Sunset Mall; Phoenix, Arizona 85010-7896. You ordered four size 12 sweaters, one each in red,
blue, black, and white. Instead, you received four sweaters that are all size 5 and purple.
Since you paid $119.80 (postage and handling included) in advance for the sweaters, write a letter to
Bettys and request that an adjustment be made as soon as possible. Write in acceptable business letter
form and be sure to state that you are returning the four size 5 sweaters. Also, clearly restate your
original order, so the store may again attempt to fill it.
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KNOWING YOUR AUDIENCE
CHOOSING SUITABLE ARGUMENTS
Various audiences have different areas of interest. Just as you adapt topics, vocabulary, and style to suit
particular groups, you must also adapt the arguments you use when trying to persuade others to accept
your point of view.
Adapting to different audiences doesnt mean changing your opinion; it means changing your approach
or argument. For example, if trying to persuade a teacher not to assign weekend homework, you might
say that there are other educational and cultural avenues you can explore by going to museums and
concerts on weekends. However, in persuading your parents to take your no-homework position, you
might say that you could use your free weekends to help with household chores.
Choose the argument that is more likely to persuade the given audience:
1. AUDIENCE: Person to whom you are applying for a part-time job
(a) Although I have no actual work experience, I am willing to
learn. Also, if you require references, I can supply letters of
recommendation from several of my teachers.
(b) I would like to work for your company because I have never
had a job and would appreciate the opportunity to earn money.
2. AUDIENCE: Your classmates who will be voting for class president
(a) If you elect Terrys opponent, youre asking for trouble. Robin
is a known troublemaker who doesnt care about whats best
for you and your school.
(b) Terry has promised to bring all your complaints before the
principal and the school board. Your priorities improving
cafeteria service, providing more parking spaces for students,
providing more elective courses are Terrys priorities.
Here is a persuasive argument. Choose the audience most suited to the given reason:
3. I am against wearing a school uniform because it will be both physically and mentally
uncomfortable. Uniforms are usually made of stiff, long-lasting materials, so I know theyll be
uncomfortable physically. In addition, kids from other schools will single us out and make funof us.
2. AUDIENCE: (a) parents (b) classmates (c) principal
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APPEALING TO YOUR AUDIENCE
In the exercises below, combine your ability to support your opinion and your awareness of audience.
Provide one argument you feel will appeal to each of the indicated audiences. Remember, when writing
to different audiences you dont change the facts or your position, you just change your approach.
1. Defend your opinion that detention is not an effective punishment.
(a) AUDIENCE: Your principal
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
(b)AUDIENCE: Your classmates
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
2. Defend your right to share the family car.
(a) AUDIENCE: Your parents
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
(b)AUDIENCE: Your older brother who uses the car for college
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
3. Express your desire to keep your favorite program on the air.
(a) AUDIENCE: TV program director
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
(b)AUDIENCE: Your best friend
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
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USING THE PROPER TONE
Tone is the manner of speaking that you, the writer, adopt toward your audience, the reader. Like your
conduct before others, your tone gives your audience an impression of you. Your tone reveals part of
your personality and of your attitude toward the reader. Adapting your tone to the circumstances adds
to your effectiveness as a writer.
In each of the following, choose the message with the tone that is appropriate to the
circumstances and to the audience.
1. SITUATION: A woman is offering advice to a friend who is about to make a major purchase.
(a) While it is attractive in blue, you might find blue too much of a contrast to your pink sofa and
yellow armchair. Why dont you check the color samples against your furniture before deciding?
(b)Personally, if I were you, my dear, I would select a more compatible color. Those of us with
discriminating taste find your choice of blue intolerable.
2. SITUATION: A high school junior is beginning an oral book report before his classmates.
(a) Within the confines of the time granted me this morning, I shall endeavor to impart to you, my
audience, my views on a work of literature I have recently completed reading, namely, Of Mice and
Men by John Steinbeck.
(b)In the five minutes I have for my report, I would like to share with you the thoughts and feelings
I experienced while reading Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck.
For each of the following passages, indicate the tone used by the writer.
1. That movie was wonderful! It was so exciting I could hardly stay awake. If you plan to go see it,
dont forget to take along a pillow!
(a) combative (b) conceited (c) sincere (d) sarcastic
2. Id like to thank all the little people who helped me win this award. First, my parents for having
such a talented child. Next, Joe Dilch who first discovered my genius. Finally, Fifi Chambois
who designs the clothes I look so marvelous in.
(a) combative (b) enthusiastic (c) conceited (d) sincere
3. You cant tell me that they call that noise music. Youd have to be pretty dumb to enjoy its pounding
beat which drowns out the melody, and only fools would attempt dancing to it.
(a) combative (b) humorous (c) sarcastic (d) snobbish
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8/12/2019 WritingComp All
19/20
SAMPLE PERSUASIVE ESSAY
The situation: As a partial solution to the unemployment problem and as a means of raising the
standard of education in the United States, several senators are sponsoring a bill that
would make two years of college compulsory for all students. This bill would have all
future high school graduates go on directly to college. No students would be allowed
to drop out of school (high school or college) before the third year of college, and no
one would be permitted to hold a job unless he or she has completed two years of college.
Your task: In a 200-word essay, express your reaction to the proposed bill. Your purpose is to
persuade your states senators to support your position.
The essay: Follow the outline below and write your essay on a separate sheet of paper.
Remember to indent each of the four paragraphs.
Paragraph 1:
(a) States the situation.(Summarize the main points in the Situation paragraph above.)
(b) States the authors opinion.
(The proposed bill should/should not be supported.)
(c) Briefly mentions two reasons that support the opinion.
(Just mention the reasons here; dont explain them.)
Paragraph 2:
(a) Repeats the first reason.
(b) Explains the first reason by giving facts, details, or specific examples.
Paragraph 3:
(a) Repeats the second reason.
(b) Explains the second reason by giving facts, details, or specific examples.
Paragraph 4:
(a) Repeats the authors opinion.
(b) Restates the two reasons for that opinion.
(The proposed bill should/should not be supported because
____________________________and because____________________________.)
DEPARTMENT OF BIG HINTS: If you experience trouble developing supporting reasons for your
opinions about the topics presented here, remember that you can usually find a reason related to one of
the three following areas:
1. MONEY
2. EDUCATIONAL VALUE
3. DEVELOPING A SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY OR MATURITY
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8/12/2019 WritingComp All
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WRITING TO PERSUADE EXERCISE NO. 1
Directions: Write a composition in which you try to persuade your parents to accept your
position in the situation described below. Before you start to write, read ALL
the information carefully.
The situation: Congratulations! You passed your road test and received your drivers
license in the mail. Now all you need is a car, but your parents do not see
why a high school student would need one.
Your task: Write a composition of about 200 words persuading your parents to allow
you to purchase a car. State two reasons why you believe it is important for
you to have a car at this time.
In your composition, be sure to:
Keep in mind the purpose of your composition is to persuade your parents
to accept your viewpoint.
Explain in detail your two reasons for needing a car. Organize what you write into cohesive paragraphs.
WRITING TO PERSUADE EXERCISE NO. 2
Directions: Write a composition in which you try to persuade the school board to accept the
suggestion you make in response to the situation described below. Before you start
to write, read ALL the information carefully.
The situation: The school board is considering two possible ways to save district money. Their
first suggestion is to eliminate the school lunch program and have all students
bring their own lunches to school. Their second suggestion is to eliminate all bus
transportation and make all students responsible for getting to school on their own.
They would like members of the community to respond to these suggestions.
Your task: Decide which of the two suggestions is more acceptable to you. In about 200
words, write to the school board and persuade them that your choice is the better
solution to the problem.
In your composition, be sure to:
Keep in mind that you are trying to persuade the school board to acceptyour choice.
Clearly state whether you are in favor of eliminating the lunch program or
eliminating bus transportation.
Support your choice with two fully-explained reasons.
Organize your composition into cohesive paragraphs.
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