5 persuasive writing prompts about heading to college

High school students heading off to college have a multitude of decisions and considerations to make regarding their transition into adult life.  

For many heading of to college will be a major point of consideration and discussion with parents and peers.

I hope these persuasive writing prompts for high school students heading off to college encourage them to put their ideas into an organised manner. 

Prompt 1) Many other countries including: England, Australia and New Zealand, encourage students to take a year off to travel and explore the world before going to college. While not a mainstay in American culture, this "gap-year" movement is beginning to take hold. Do you feel that it is a good idea for students to take a year off between high school and college? Or should they go straight into college following high school?

Prompt 2) You have just gotten into your dream school, the problem is that your family was pushing you to go to a different school. Which school do you go to and why? Site specific examples.

Prompt 3) More and more students are planning on living off-campus their first year of college. Do you plan on living on or off campus for your freshman year of college? Why? 

Prompt 4) A close friend of yours is interested in pursuing a career in a specific trade craft. Do you think they should go to a trade school that specializes in teaching that craft or should they go to a traditional college that offers that craft as a major? Write a letter to convince them to attend the school of your choice above.

Prompt 5) Your guidance counselor is asking for you to defend your choice of major. Write a detailed argument outlining why you are choosing to pursue that particular major. If you are still undecided in what major you are pursuing, write a detailed argument explaining why you haven't made that particular decision yet. 

Please feel free to contribute more below. 

5 persuasive writing prompts about drugs

Drugs have always been a meaty topic for high school and college students as they are at an age when they are becoming aware of the social and health issues associated with drug use but also surrounded by the confusing messages from music, films and social media that drugs are "cool."

These persuasive writing prompts will certainly require your students to do some research to form an educated opinion about issues surrounding drug use.

Remember that if you are looking for more great free resources and structured guides to teaching all aspects of English especially writing be sure to visit literacyideas.com

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Prompt 1) In order to crack down on drug use and distribution in schools, many high schools have begun to conduct targeted searches of student lockers, backpacks and other "personal" properties. Keeping in mind that the Supreme Court has ruled these types of searches as constitutional, do you feel that this is still a violation of student rights? Or, do you think that since the school is ultimately responsible for the well-being of it’s students, they should have the right to conduct these searches in the effort of keeping the student body safe?

Prompt 2) With more professional and college athletes being drug-tested, do you feel that High School athletes should be subjected to regularly drug tests?

Prompt 3) Should marijuana be legalized? Site your position and specific examples that support this decision. Simply "because I like it," is not an example.

Prompt 4) Medical Marijuana has been legalized in California for some time now. Do you feel that it is okay for the State to decide that marijuana should be regulated and distributed any other prescription drug, or do you feel that this should be a decision made on the Federal level, and California should step inline with the rest of the country?

Prompt 5) Do you think law enforcement agencies and government officials spend too much time and energy focusing on marijuana instead of other drugs (heroin, cocaine,  meth, etc…)

Teach your students how to write a persuasive text - Digital Literacies

Here is this week digital literacy lesson on persuasive texts.  It is suitable for students from grade 3 up and would take around 90 minutes to complete.  You can download it here or simply use the slideshare below.

Digital literacies – persuasive writing

Digital Literacy lesson - Create your own movie Trailers

This lesson examines how Hollywood film studios use a range of persuasive strategies when creating a movie trailer to try and entice the audience to cinemas to see their latest blockbuster or in some cases raspberry.  Students will explore these elements in detail and then create a film trailer of their own that includes them.  You can either download the lesson as a PowerPoint here or simply use the slideshare below.  Enjoy.

Digital literacy – persuasive movie trailers.

View more presentations from Kevin Cummins.

Digital Literacies Lesson - Persuasive Text

Here is this week digital literacy lesson on persuasive texts.  It is suitable for students from grade 3 up and would take around 90 minutes to complete.  You can download it here or simply use the slideshare below.

Digital literacies – persuasive writing

View more presentations from Kevin Cummins.

Create a Persuasive Text Podcast

This is a great activity for year 5 - 9 students who have had some experience in creating persuasive texts.  Lisa Owens has put together a really thorough Lesson Planner using a range of technologies and concepts to work in any environment.  Click here to access it.