Structuring a Short Persuasive Paragraph
A writing task asks for a short persuasive paragraph (about 120 words) arguing that a neighborhood should add a pedestrian crossing near a school. The rubric rewards a clear position, at least one supporting reason, and a concluding recommendation, while penalizing unsupported claims and padding. The writer has three possible supporting points: accident statistics near the school, a personal anecdote about a near-miss, and a general statement that 'crossings are good.' The word limit is tight, so only one supporting point can be developed properly. The writer is tempted to include all three briefly to seem thorough.
1. Which supporting point should be developed, and why not all three?
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Develop one point fully rather than three thinly. Ranking by rubric value:
- Accident statistics near the school - concrete, relevant, and directly supports the recommendation. Best choice for a tight word limit: it is the strongest evidence and needs little space to be persuasive.
- Personal near-miss anecdote - vivid and relevant, but anecdote is weaker evidence than data and can sprawl; good as a one-line supplement if space allows.
- 'Crossings are good' - a general assertion with no support; the rubric penalizes unsupported claims, so including it hurts.
Including all three briefly produces padding and dilutes the argument, which the rubric penalizes. Pick the statistics, state them, and link them explicitly to the recommendation.
2. How should the paragraph be structured to hit position, reason, and recommendation within the limit?
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Use a three-move structure and budget words deliberately:
- Position (1 sentence): state the recommendation up front - the neighborhood should add a crossing near the school.
- Reason (2–3 sentences): give the accident statistics and explicitly connect them to the recommendation ('because…'). This is where most of the words go, since it carries the persuasion.
- Recommendation (1 sentence): close by restating the action and, if space permits, a one-clause call to act.
Skip the general 'crossings are good' sentence entirely and keep any anecdote to a single clause or omit it. Check the draft against the rubric: is the position unmistakable? is the reason supported? is there a closing recommendation? If any is missing, cut padding to make room rather than exceeding the limit.