Perpetually Persuasive

We are continuing to work on our persuasive essay about the impact of high school dropouts. At this point, student have written a brief introduction and a body paragraph. Tonight they should be wrapping up this side of the argument and then moving on to the counterargument and rebuttal.

Since tomorrow is a short, early-release, and we have a grammar assessment, most students will be finishing up the counterargument and rebuttal at home.

I am including my body paragraph, and counter paragraph below. Students are permitted to use these are guides for their own paragraphs. I would like them to understand how each sentence functions.

•Unquestionably, since the drop out rates affect the nation, then something must be done to address this problem. Mia Lewis, a reporter for National Education Weekly, quotes President Obama saying, “When students don’t walk away from their education, more of them walk the stage to get their diploma” (Source 2). Obviously, if schools are successful in keeping students in school, the students will more than likely graduate and be better prepared for the job market or college. In the same way, if we set[] the moral imperative that students, parents, and educators become committed to the idea that each student will in fact graduate” (Source 2), then more students will, graduate, thus reducing the drop out rate and the cost to our nation--both monetarily and socially. Placing a moral responsibility on those most affected by the problem should provide enough of a burden to make everyone believe that it is in the best interest of the nation to keep its students in school.

•Although society wants to keep all students in school, there are going to be students who do not want to be in school or have special circumstances; however, if the school works to help a student through difficult situations like Marissa in Source #1, she might still be able to graduate with a GED and help the parents at the same time. On the other hand, if a student does not want to be in school at all, the school should consider what alternative options should be created to engage that student. Additional pathways to graduation like Kentucky offers is one option (Source #2). Understanding why students drop out is necessary to deal with this social issue.

•Students must stay in school and graduate; otherwise, the cost to themselves and society is high. Without a high school diploma, students might find themselves in low paying jobs, find themselves unable to make ends meet and have to rely on assistance, or in worst cases, find themselves behind bars. Although there are students who will face the dilemma of dropping out, research clearly supports that keeping students in school pays off in the end. The U.S. already faces a $20,000,000,000,000,000 debt. It cannot afford the burden of additional dropouts!