By sphat952

Edited by EF_Kevin

I remember when I was in middle school. I did not wear the cutest clothes or keep up with the current fashion trends and was often left out when my friends were talking about clothes. I felt like I did not belong, but I did not want to buy expensive clothing just to feel included by my friends. Even though students’ individuality is important to express one’s self, uniforms should be adopted in some public schools because they lowers disciplinary referrals and helps students focus on learning.
Many students of public schools believe that school uniforms should not be introduced
because it is restraining people’s freedom of expression and does not create diversity. One example how uniforms restrict learners are that “without the outlet of expression in their clothes, students may turn to inappropriate hair styles, jewelry, or makeup” (Public School Uniforms par. 10). So by restricting students of their clothing choice, they will still find a way to show their personality in their hair, jewelry, and hairstyles. As stated by the Public School Review, under the First Amendment, it argues that uniforms stifle children who feel robbed of their individualism. In addition uniforms create a false sense of security. According to Rashida Khilawala, “if the student gets used to being respected for their mind and not looks, the “outside world” could come as quite a surprise to them”(Khilawala par. 5). Even if uniforms decrease violence and everyone is treated equal, the outside world does not run as orderly and smoothly as it would in a school. Theses are some facts as to why; many children, teens, and parents are against uniforms in public schools.
While a uniform can get boring with the same clothes and same color every day,
uniforms have proven to lower hostility in many schools. The first example clarifies how “uniforms have reduced tardiness, skipped classes, suspensions, and discipline referrals” (Public School Uniforms par. 6). As confirmed by the Public School Review, in the Long Beach school district within one year of launching uniforms, fights and muggings had seriously dwindled by fifty percent. While committed sexual offenses were massively diminished as well by a vast seventy-four percent. The second example demonstrates how another school has followed the footsteps of the Long Beach school district. As researched by the Public School Review “at Ruffner Middle School in Norfolk, discipline referrals decreased by forty-two percent once uniforms were enforced”(Public School Uniforms par. 2). This clearly proves how uniforms have not only decreased violence in one school, but another as well. Equally important, uniforms reduce violence by quickly identifying outsiders who enters a school. The intruder would be spotted immediately, disposing a potential threat to students. Wrapping it up, you are now able to understand by the hard-core proof of how uniforms have declined brutality.
In addition to uniforms lowering disciplinary referrals, they also help students focus
on learning. The first example shows how students’ clothing distracts learning because teenagers especially, care too much on how others see them. As stated by writer Kristin Holtz, “… students wear shirts that comment on reasons not to do homework, may be associated with gang colors and symbols or expose too much skin”(Holtz par. 14). Besides, if uniforms were enforced, students would not be distracted on how they look all the time. As confirmed by Kristin Holtz, “Standardized shirts would put kids on a level playing field while eliminating visible boxer shorts, bare midriffs and low necklines” (Holtz par.9). By removing distracting fashion, test scores would improve greatly and it would also help the students by clarifying to teachers on the students who need more help. Furthermore, uniforms improve students’ focus in learning by developing a sense of ambassadorship and loyalty to the school, and build team spirit (Khilawala par. 3). Without off-putting garments, students start to care about the school more and are definitely more positive thinkers. Overall, you can now understand how uniforms help students’ focus on learning.
All in all, while children believe that the school is trying to control their freedom of
speech by enforcing uniforms, a school is not a fashion show. It is there to educate children and help them get into a college and a worthwhile future career. If only I had uniforms when I was in middle school, I could have learned what was more important than expensive and trendy clothing. In the words of Kristin Holtz of the Shakopee Valley News to students everywhere, “We want them to show their individuality with how involved they are in school, how well they work with their peers, with their teachers, what they do in the classroom and not how they look outside the classroom.”

Source: http://www.essayforum.com/essay-writing-feedback-3/school-uniforms-persuasive-essay-16466/

Narrowing the Focus

Instruct students to identify three strong reasons from their brainstorming list to support their chosen position. Remind them that they are writing a persuasive essay, not a comparison contrast. Therefore, their three reasons should all support the same position. Once they have done so, encourage them to use language from the prompt to develop their thesis stem. For this example, here’s how to reject the idea of year-round schooling to create the following stem:

Year round schooling is not beneficial for students.

Some students will stop at this point and assume they have a thesis statement. True, this is a definite, arguable statement. However, it does not introduce the key content of the essay or provide structure for the paper. Without this structure, many novice writers will proceed to write an unfocused draft that will need substantial revisions to achieve better organization. It is better to first write a narrower, more focused thesis statement and then draft an essay that follows the simple structure of the thesis statement. For instance, students can complete their thesis stem as follows:

Year round schooling is not beneficial for students because it would create unnecessary stress, negativity toward school, and limited vacation opportunities.

Aligning the Essay

With a clear, detailed thesis such as the one above, students can easily envision the body of the essay. That is, the first body paragraph will address the unnecessary stress students will experience. The second body paragraph would discuss students feeling negatively toward school. The third body paragraph would argue the lack of vacation opportunities if year-round schooling was implemented.

http://lesson-plans-materials.suite101.com/article.cfm/example_thesis_statement_for_a_persuasive_essay

Here are some tips to guide students toward successfully writing their thesis statements.

Approaching the Topic

Writing a thesis statement for a persuasive essay is similar to constructing one for an expository in that you still need to make a definite, arguable statement and list the key reasons you will discuss in your paper. The construction of your thesis should take into consideration the content, purpose, and length of your essay.

If you are writing a standard five paragraph essay, your thesis should introduce the main points discussed in your three body paragraphs. If your essay is an extended paper of, for instance, three to five pages, you will allude to the two to four primary sections of your paper and construct your thesis statement as you would for a shorter paper. Writing a clear thesis early in the planning process will help you maintain a cohesive structure when drafting your essay.

Brainstorming the Topic

Suppose you’ve assigned your students the following topic: Convince your reader whether year-round schooling is beneficial for students. Unless you have a specific purpose for doing otherwise, it is a good idea to encourage students to pick a position on this statement about which they feel most passionately.

Brainstorming is a necessary step toward writing a solid thesis statement. When it comes to picking a position on a topic such as this, students should quickly develop a pros and cons list to facilitate making a decision. This can be done individually, in small groups, or as a teacher-facilitated whole group activity. The added benefit is that after creating a list, students will have many ideas on which to build their essays.

http://lesson-plans-materials.suite101.com/article.cfm/example_thesis_statement_for_a_persuasive_essay

Before setting pen to paper, the writer should be clear about the grounds, motivation or basis of the essay. Next they must pick their position on the subject. This is followed by analyzing the intended audience in terms of whether they agree or disagree or if they are neutral about the position you are taking. The last step is the structure.

• Introductory paragraph: an introductory paragraph introduces your topic and the stance or position you will be taking on it It should also state your reasons for supporting your position. It must be able to command the reader’s attention an encourage further reading
• Topic Sentences: each paragraph must contain a topic sentence. This topic sentence is not a fact. It must be clear and precise and clearly state your position on the subject.
• Paragraphs: each paragraph serves as a way to elaborate on the point of view set out in the introductory paragraph. Each body paragraph must contain examples, statistics and evidence to support your stance. Generalization should be avoided. Each piece of evidence must be factual and supportable. Opposing views should be counter balanced with strong and precise reasoning, capable of persuading readers that your point of view should be the chosen one. The writer should anticipate the reader’s questions and provide answers. Each paragraph should flow into another logically in order to maintain the reader’s interest.
• Concluding paragraph. This paragraph should not contain new material. It should, however, touch upon the strongest evidence and call the reader to action.

Read more: http://www.brighthub.com/education/homework-tips/articles/49836.aspx#ixzz0jCxXenVX

50 suggestions for your Argumentative Essay Topic and Persuasive Essay Topics

• Should animals be used for scientific researches?
• Do we need prisons?
• Should the death penalty be mandatory for all murderers, or just for those who manage to kill people even when staying in a prison?
• Do we have the right to exhume bodies of prominent people and move them from one place to another?
• Shouldn’t Russians finally bury Lenin?
• Better naked, than in furs?
• Was Saddam Hussein’s execution an essential point in establishing democracy in Iraq?
• Should men be allowed to have more than one wife?
• Plastic surgeries: a way to become more beautiful, or someone’s unhealthy idea?

• In some Asian countries cutting off thief’s right hand is still commonly practiced. Do you think this is the best way out?
• Talk about major issues (sex, abortion, Iraq, Vietnam, marijuana, etc).
• Say why talking about main issues (sex, abortion, Iraq, Vietnam, marijuana, etc) all the time not only lessens their importance, but even evokes irritation.
• Why atheists have to be tolerant to religion, while religious people are not tolerant to atheists?
• Was the “sex, drugs, and rock’n’roll” era significant, or not?
• Prove that bagels with free sour cream stimulate brain activity.
• A maniac killed 15 little girls and was sentenced to death. One of the local TV stations was asked by the parents of victims to show his execution. The channel gave its agreement, but the translation was later cancelled. Give your opinion on this situation.
• Vegetarians vs. Meateaters. Whose side are you on? No fence-sitting, please.
• Why talking about sex is okay, and talking about cheating is embarrassing?
• Do you agree that there is art for the masses, and elite culture? How do you feel about being “the mass”?
• If you are not in “the mass”, what do you think about The Black Square by Kazimir Malevich?
• Do you want to have a cosmetic surgery?
• Is it important to talk openly about the contraception?
• Which country has the prettiest girls?
• Prove that blondes are actually smart.
• An image of USA has become negative. Do you agree with this statement?
• There is an opinion that DAEWOO’s are not cars at all. Are they?
• What do you think about gay marriages?
• Why driving is permitted from the age of 16, and gambling – from the age of 21?
• Is it helpful being skeptical?
• What do you think about the negative public opinion on thongs and bra straps?
• Your friend is concerned about his/her grades. Even though they are good, he/she still stays awake for half of the night getting the assignments and extra credit work ready. Convince your friend that wearing him/herself out is not the best idea.
• When you moved to this town, it was relatively small. Now that it’s expanding, your parents consider moving to a calmer place. You, however, have friends here that you don’t want to live. Talk to your parents about the necessity of staying.
• A friend of yours, a skinny girl, thinks that she needs to lose a few pounds. Tell her why losing more weight will only damage her health.
• Your friend is failing his finals. If he doesn’t pass, he’ll be expelled from the university. You know that studying means a lot to him/her, but he/she’s feeling depressed and doesn’t want to do anything. Renew his/her faith into himself by persuading him/her to study.
• As a result of political instabilities, a local political organization reacts severely to the acts of the government. It plans to throw an act of protest. You know that this party is dangerous. Your friend, however, is inspired and wants to join. Tell him about possible consequences of getting into something that is not trustworthy.

Choose another persuasive essay topic from the list:

• Your Mom is not happy with an outfit/make up that you are wearing for a school dance. Try to calm her down.
• You think that school uniform destroys you as an individual. Write a persuasive letter to your principal.
• You are tired of news on TV. They all tell you about the number of victims in Middle East. Tell why it is unethical for journalists to make money on deaths and war.
• Cheating and lying can sometimes be helpful. Convince your readers by giving bright examples.
• Think and prove that living in a big city is better than living in a small town (and vice versa).
• Convince your parents to buy you something.

More persuasive essays topics:

• Your friends want to go dancing; however, all this week you’ve been thinking about bowling. Try to persuade them to go to a bowling club.
• You share a room with a younger sister. She has put a poster of Nick Cave onto the wall, and now you feel like an absolutely humiliated person. Tell her why this poster has to be taken off.
• Take any common fallacy (like the one that wolves attack people all the time), and prove why it is wrong.
• You have your own point of view on marriage and family. Convince your readers why it is correct.
• You want to go and study abroad, but there are a number of reasons why you should take someone with you. Persuade a friend of yours that Italy is just the right place for both of you.

And some more persuasive essay topics:

• Your little sister doesn’t want to help you and your Mom around the house. Give her reasons why she has to do it.
• The book you’ve just finished is absolutely fantastic. Explain to your family member/friend why it is so good. Try to persuade him/her to read it, too.
• A history teacher thinks that showing the movie Pearl Harbor will be just enough to cover the material on the World War II. Prove that you are eager to know more than this, and how the lack of important information can result on your future.
• Tell why it is important to know more than one foreign language.

http://custom-writing.org/blog/writing-tips/31.html

• The case for organ donation
• The need for recycling
• Why the death penalty should be abolished
• The need for gun control
• The dangers of taking illegal steroids
• How to pay off your credit card
• Avoiding drinking or drunk driving
• Why we should abolish school uniform
• Global Warming – What we can do about it
• Why we should wear seat belts in cars
• Why you should become a blood donor
• The dangers of gambling
• Gay marriage
• Euthanasia
• Avoiding student debt
• Avoiding junk food
• Pay off your student loan in three easy steps
• Volunteering – What can you do about it?
• Golf – the best hobby in the world or a complete waste of time?
• Ten good tips for legal tax avoidance
• Three easy ways to improve your time management
• Can drugs reverse the ageing process?
• If you believe – they put a man on the moon
• Ten things you can do for a Dollar/ Euro/ Pound
• What you should wear for your next date/ job interview

More Persuasive Speech Topics

• Animal rights
• I can make you thin
• Princess Diana – a cover up?
• Internet – the death of the newspaper?
• Can we eradicate AIDS in Africa?
• Is Broadband economic in rural areas?
• What good is keep fit?
• Sex, drugs and rock and roll – good fun or a major health hazard?
• Getting to the top of the waiting list
• Road congestion charging – the way of the future?
• Dogs – wolves in the living room or man’s best friend?
• 7 easy ways to simplify your life?
• The five day detox
• The Loch Ness monster really does exist
• Creative thinking
• Has the DaVinci code just been made up?
• Half man – half robot. Should we be scared?
• Political
• Creative thinking
• Vote for me
• Why there should be a United States of Europe
• An easy way to give up smoking
• Why prostitution should be legalized
• How we can get more people to vote?
• Why the death penalty should be abolished in the United States
• Why we should not consume genetically modified crops?
• Should religious clothes be banned in schools?
• The war in Iraq – was it justified?
• Famous lives
• The greatest American./ Briton/ French Person/ Scientist/ Discoverer/ Adventurer of all time
• Scott of the Antarctic – hero or failure?
• Winston Churchill – good man or a famous alcoholic?
• Human trafficking

Source:http://www.presentationmagazine.com/persuasive_speech_topic.htm

The funny thing about love is that you cannot immediately tell as to whom you may eventually end up with. You may have similar interests or love the sense of humor and company but does age have a bearing? You may eventually fall in love with someone half your age but the thing is how can you tell?

Such are considerations that people should consider. We often get blinded by beauty from their outside appearance. Do remember, once you get into a relationship, it is a totally different ballgame. There will be things you will discover, most of which you never thought would become an issue.

There are a lot of girls out there who may flirt with you, regardless of how old you are. In the event that you are older, you should know better. Some kids may become infatuated or have a crush on you but it doesn’t mean that they can love you in the way thatrelationships are carried out today. Be wiser even if it is hard if you find yourself falling for the girl. In the end, it may be you who would be hurt.

http://lifeshed.com/uncategorized/does-age-matter-in-love-and-relationships/comment-page-1/

The question of whether or not age is a matter of concern in relationships has often been debated by family and friends. The simple answer to the question is ‘yes’. Where the issue grows interesting is taking a look at how age differences influence relationships. There are issues that need to be considered with relationships that have a noticeable difference in age. These issues are not insurmountable, yet they are obstacles that must be considered and dealt with if the relationship is going to be successful and meaningful to both parties.

One thing to consider is the cohort effect. The term cohort effect comes from the social sciences. It is used in describing what groups have in common or in variation from other groups. The term ‘cohort’ is used to describe the group of people within +/- 6 years of the target population. This age spread represents a group that has had similar social experiences. Theoretically they grew up sharing similar music, culture, and events.  People within the cohort will have more in common than those outside of the cohort.

Cohort effect has been used in studying psychological, epidemiological and financial information. These studies often enable researchers to understand more about human behavior and health. There are significant commonalities within cohorts in terms of their behaviors, needs and resources.

The further away one is from the cohort, the less in common the two groups will share. With an age difference of 6-12 years, it is considered a cohort and a half. People from the two groups will share many things, yet may find themselves out of sync with each other on some matters.

With an age difference of 12-18 years, the two people are two cohorts apart from each other. There will be significant differences in their worldviews. They will have significantly less in common and fewer cultural reference points that the two of them can agree on. At times, it may seem as if they grew up in two different worlds. When relationships evolve between people from two cohort distance or more, there are often concerns expressed about the relationship as to whether something is wrong with the persons as to why they are not associating with their own cohort.

Another major concern is the difference in biological functions. As people grow older their biological drives and needs change. When a relationship forms from the same cohort, these issues can be addressed at the same time. When there is a significant difference in cohorts, the needs of the persons will not be in sync with each other. As one party is wanting to experience life, the other may be wanting to take it slower as they deal with declining abilities. In the early days of a relationship, the differences may be stimulating and exciting, yet as the relationship matures, those same differences may lead to conflicts and fights.

Age differences do matter in relationships as they color and impact the relationship in major ways. In these days of people being in and out of failed relationships, it behooves couples to strive for having more things in common rather than differences. Couples having more commonalities often weather crises and pressures better than those that have little in common.

http://hubpages.com/hub/Does-Age-Matter-in-Relationships

by ChicagoTRS

I would say for the most part age does not matter in a relationship.  As long as both are adults and are making their own choices.

I would not even blink at an 8 year age difference.  You are both still from relatively the same generation and could have a lot in common.  I worry more when the age difference is ~20 years and one person is in the 40s and the other is in the 20s…how much can two people like that have in common.  I kind of think in most cases relationships like that are doomed to fail.

My rule is you should not date anyone where you are old enough to be their parent…just seems wrong.

But to each their own…I believe in the philosophy live and let live.

http://askville.amazon.com/age-matter-relationship-strange-33-year-woman-date-25-man/AnswerViewer.do?requestId=6646937

It’s also popular on Argument Essay Topics and Persuasive Essay Topics.

20.  Should the military reinstate the draft?

Books:

American Military :

Opposing Viewpoints

Rangel introduces bill to reinstate the draft http://www.cnn.com/2003/ALLPOLITICS/01/07/rangel.draft/

Dem lawmakers split on military draft http://www.hillnews.com/news/072904/military.aspx

21.  Should schools require volunteering?

Books:

America’s Youth : Opposing

Viewpoints

Websites:

Service learning/community service http://www.ecs.org/clearinghouse/14/26/1426.htm

22. Should school attendance be year-round?  Websites: Year-Round school debate and poll http://www.youdebate.com/DEBATES/year-

round_school.HTM

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/8862895/Persuasive-Debate

by gof81448

1.  Should there be a salary cap in professional sports?

2.  Does rap music demean women?

3.  Do Americans have a weight problem?

4.  Should prayer be allowed in school?

5.  Should the government censor lyrics in songs that are violent or explicit, for example “Gangsta” rap?

6.  Should HIV workers have to tell their employers of their status?

7.  Should parents be allowed to educate their children at home?

8.  Should the government sensor materials on the World Wide Web?

9.  Should there be an enforced mandatory retirement age?

10. Should the voting age be changed to 16?

11. Should drivers be prohibited from using their cell phones?

12. Is it worth hosting the Olympic Games?

13. Do adopted children have the right to know their biological parents?

14. Should parents be morally and legally responsible for the actions/       needs of their children?

15. Should physical education in schools be mandatory?  16. Should everyone be forced to stay in school till they’re 18?

17. Should there be further restrictions on the advertising,   selling, and smoking of tobacco?  Should it be banned?

18. Do schools have the right to search student’s backpacks/Lockers?

19. Should there be higher taxes on fatty foods? Cigarettes? Alcohol?

20. Can our founding fathers still be considered great men if they        owned slaves?

21. Is America ready for a female president?  22. Should a mother stay home with her small children, rather than work outside the home?

23. Is it morally acceptable to experiment on animals to develop         products and medicines that benefit humans?

24. Should humans be allowed to use other animals as objects of   sports and entertainment?

25. Are beauty contests harmful to a females self-esteem?

26. Should foul language be banned on television?

27. Should employees have a right to see your medical records?

28. should blood sports be banned? (boxing)

29. Should the legal age for drinking be lowered?

30. Are random breath tests for drivers a good idea?

31. Should cameras be placed in courtrooms so that criminal’s trials can be televised?

32. Is the death penalty ethical?

33. Should a state recognize same-sex marriage?

34. Should young people be subjected to nighttime curfews as a way to reduce crime?

35. Should schools provide daycare to assist teenage mothers?

36. Is it fair that auto insurance rates are more expensive for males under the age of 21 than for females?

37. Should parents be able to select the gender of their offspring?

38. Should voting be mandatory?

39. Should schools teach creationism along with the theory of evolution?

40. Is physical force (example: spanking) a justifiable method of          punishing children?

41. Should cosmetic surgery be banned?

42. Should people be allowed to gamble on-line?

43. Should a minor ever be sentenced as an Adult for their crime?

44. Should states require citizens to obtain a license before becoming parents?

45. Should countries change their official language (or currency) to be the same worldwide?

46. Should school students face mandatory drug testing?

47. Should the use of performance enhancing drugs in sports be legalized?

48. Should unregulated distribution of copyrighted works over the          internet be allowed?

49. Should we intervene in the genetic make-up of our children?          Should genetic screening be used to produce genetically   healthy or even “designer” babies?

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/23377976/8th-Grade-Persuasive-Essay-Topics