School Uniforms

Step 1: Read the prompt carefully before you begin.

• Writing Situation: An Ochoa school uniform could be a possibility in the near future. Proponents for uniforms say it prevents violence and promotes safety and a learning environment.

• Consider the reasons one would want school uniforms or not.

• Directions for Writing: Now write a persuasive essay stating whether school uniforms are good or bad idea for Ochoa Middle School. Give reasons to support your position arguing in such a convincing manner that others will agree with you.

Step 2: Take a stand.

Think about the stand that will provide three reasons for argument.

Step 3: Prepare the graphic organizer.

Now fold your paper into 4 squares.

Step 4: Complete the graphic organizer.

Unfold the paper and draw a box in the center. In the center box write a sentence to convey your stand (opinion statement).

Step 3: Complete the graphic organizer.

To promote a learning environment, Ochoa should have a school uniform policy.

Write one reason (pro or con).

Example: Promotes discipline among students.

Example: Violates freedom of expression

Summarize your 3 reasons.

Example: Promotes a sense of community.

Write another reason (pro or con).

Write a counter argument/reader concern

It is important that Ochoa M.S. should consider implementing a school uniform policy. School uniforms will promote a sense of a learning community and will minimize discipline problems. Although it may violate freedom of expression, there are solutions for it. Ochoa must seriously consider a wise policy such as this.

Step 3: Complete the graphic organizer.

To promote a learning environment, Ochoa should have a school uniform policy.

Write 3 details about this reason.

Example: Less discipline problems.

•36% drop in school crime

•Columbine High School

•Less bullying

Example: May violate student individual expression.

•Fashion is creativity

•Choice is important (allusion to The Giver).

•May interfere with religious clothing

Summarize your 3 reasons.

Example: Uniforms are a way to promote a learning community.•Many parents had school uniforms

•Less focus on fashion/ more on academics

•Sense of community

Write 3 details about this reason

Write 3 details about the counter argument.

It is important that Ochoa M.S. should consider implementing a school uniform policy. School uniforms will promote a sense of a learning community and will minimize discipline problems. Although it may violate freedom of expression, there are solutions for it. Ochoa must seriously consider a wise policy such as this.

Step 3: Complete the graphic organizer.

To promote a learning environment, Ochoa should have a school uniform policy.

Elaborate on one detail.

Example: Uniforms are a way to promote a learning community.

•Parents had uniforms

•Less focus on fashion

•Sense of community

ELABORATE

Step 3: Complete the graphic organizer.

To promote a learning environment, Ochoa should have a school uniform policy.

Example: Less discipline problems.•36% drop in school crime

•Columbine High School

•Less bullying

Eliminate the wasteful time putting together outfits

Elaborate on one detail.

ELABORATE

Everyone remembers the Columbine High incident where kids were shot based partially on what they wore

Step 3: Complete the graphic organizer.

To promote a learning environment, Ochoa should have a school uniform policy.

Example: May violate student Example: May violate student individual expression.individual expression.•Fashion is creativityFashion is creativity•Choice is important (allusion to Choice is important (allusion to The Giver).The Giver).•May interfere with religious May interfere with religious clothingclothing

Eliminate the wasteful time putting together outfits

Everyone remembers the Columbine High incident where kids were shot based partially on what they wore

Elaborate on one detail.

According to the ReligiousAccording to the ReligiousFreedom Restoration Act,Freedom Restoration Act,schools must accommodateschools must accommodatestudent’s religious beliefsstudent’s religious beliefsso school uniforms may so school uniforms may prohibit this.prohibit this.

ELABORATE

Step 5: Add transitions.

Reason #1: Promotes a sense of community.

•Many parents had school uniforms

•Less focus on fashion/ more on academics. Eliminate the wasteful Eliminate the wasteful time of putting together time of putting together outfits.outfits.

•Sense of community

Reason #2: Promotes discipline among students

•36% drop in school crime

•Columbine high school Everyone remembers the Everyone remembers the Columbine High incident Columbine High incident where kids were shot where kids were shot based partially on what based partially on what they worethey wore

•Send mandates to the government.

C/A: May violate student individual expression

•Fashion is creativity

•Choice is important (allusion to The Giver)

•May interfere with religious clothing

According to the Religious According to the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, Freedom Restoration Act, schools must accommodate schools must accommodate students religious beliefs so students religious beliefs so school uniforms may prevent school uniforms may prevent this.this.

It is important that Ochoa M.S. should consider implementing a school uniform policy. School uniforms will promote a sense of a learning community and will minimize discipline problems. Although it may violate freedom of expression, there are solutions for it. Ochoa must seriously consider a wise policy such as this.

To promote a learning To promote a learning environment, Ochoa should environment, Ochoa should have a school uniform policy.have a school uniform policy.

For example, Moreover,

In other words,

For these reasons,

A list of transition words is

online!

Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper.

Reason #2: Promotes discipline among students

•36% drop in school crime

•Columbine high school Everyone remembers the Columbine High incident where kids were shot based partially on what they wore

•Send mandates to the government.

For example,Moreover,

In other words,

For these reasons,

Each square will become a

paragraph.

Reason #1: Promotes a sense of community.

•Many parents had school uniforms

•Less focus on fashion/ more on academics. Eliminate the Eliminate the wasteful time of putting wasteful time of putting together outfits.together outfits.

•Sense of community

C/A: May violate student individual expression

•Fashion is creativity

•Choice is important (allusion to The Giver)

•May interfere with religious clothing

According to the Religious According to the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, Freedom Restoration Act, schools must accommodate schools must accommodate students religious beliefs so students religious beliefs so school uniforms may prevent school uniforms may prevent this.this.

It is important that Ochoa M.S. should consider implementing a school uniform policy. School uniforms will promote a sense of a learning community and will minimize discipline problems. Although it may violate freedom of expression, there are solutions for it. Ochoa must seriously consider a wise policy such as this.

To promote a learning To promote a learning environment, Ochoa should environment, Ochoa should have a school uniform policy.have a school uniform policy.

Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper.

• The introductory paragraph (the center box) sums up each reason.

A uniform policy at Ochoa Middle School can bring about many positive changes. Uniforms will promote a sense of community in and outside of Ochoa. Furthermore, uniforms have the power to minimize discipline problems. However, it is However, it is true that it may obstruct true that it may obstruct individual student individual student expression.expression.

Introduction

• My position is…

• My opinion is based on…

Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper.

• Begin the introductory paragraph with a hook. Samples of hooks can be found online.

Ninety percent drama, ten percent Ninety percent drama, ten percent academics. All students at Ochoa academics. All students at Ochoa Middle school has at least one of Middle school has at least one of these classes. What if there was these classes. What if there was a way to change that?a way to change that? A uniform policy at Ochoa Middle School can bring about many positive changes. Uniforms will promote a sense of community in and outside of Ochoa. Furthermore, uniforms have the power to minimize discipline problems. However, it is true that it may However, it is true that it may obstruct individual student obstruct individual student expression.expression.

Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper.

Reason #2: Promotes discipline among students

•36% drop in school crime

•Columbine high school Everyone remembers the Columbine High incident where kids were shot based partially on what they wore

•Send mandates to the government.

For example,Moreover,

In other words,

For these reasons,

Reason #1: Promotes a sense of community.

•Many parents had school uniforms

•Less focus on fashion/ more on academics. Eliminate the Eliminate the wasteful time of putting wasteful time of putting together outfits.together outfits.

•Sense of community

C/A: May violate student individual expression

•Fashion is creativity

•Choice is important (allusion to The Giver)

•May interfere with religious clothing

According to the Religious According to the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, Freedom Restoration Act, schools must accommodate schools must accommodate students religious beliefs so students religious beliefs so school uniforms may prevent school uniforms may prevent this.this.

It is important that Ochoa M.S. should consider implementing a school uniform policy. School uniforms will promote a sense of a learning community and will minimize discipline problems. Although it may violate freedom of expression, there are solutions for it. Ochoa must seriously consider a wise policy such as this.

To promote a learning To promote a learning environment, Ochoa should environment, Ochoa should have a school uniform policy.have a school uniform policy.

Next Paragraph (2nd)

Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper.

For example, making school uniforms a policy at OMS will create a sense of a much needed community of learners. In fact, each year many parents wonder why Ochoa hasn’t done this. They wonder because when they were young, they wore uniforms which, they believe, had something to do with ethics of hard work they grew up with. In addition, parents and households wouldn’t have the pressure of giving in to the demands of their sons’ or daughters’ for brand names.

Next Paragraph (2nd Paragraph)

Language of Support

• This experience confirms that…• Furthermore…• In addition…• Another example can be found in…• This example explains…• To better understand my position…• Similarly, …• Clearly, …• According to…• Evidence can also be found in…

Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper.

Reason #2: Promotes discipline among students

•36% drop in school crime

•Columbine high school Everyone remembers the Columbine High incident where kids were shot based partially on what they wore

•Send mandates to the government.

For example,Moreover,

In other words,

For these reasons,

Reason #1: Promotes a sense of community.

•Many parents had school uniforms

•Less focus on fashion/ more on academics. Eliminate the Eliminate the wasteful time of putting wasteful time of putting together outfits.together outfits.

•Sense of community

C/A: May violate student individual expression

•Fashion is creativity

•Choice is important (allusion to The Giver)

•May interfere with religious clothing

According to the Religious According to the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, Freedom Restoration Act, schools must accommodate schools must accommodate students religious beliefs so students religious beliefs so school uniforms may prevent school uniforms may prevent this.this.

It is important that Ochoa M.S. should consider implementing a school uniform policy. School uniforms will promote a sense of a learning community and will minimize discipline problems. Although it may violate freedom of expression, there are solutions for it. Ochoa must seriously consider a wise policy such as this.

To promote a learning To promote a learning environment, Ochoa should environment, Ochoa should have a school uniform policy.have a school uniform policy.

Next Paragraph (3rd)

Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper.

Moreover, what student hasn’t seen a form of bullying take place at OMS? A lot of the times these bullies single students out by visual means and much of that has to do with a student’s clothing. This is a sad but true commentary. If school instituted a school uniform policy bullying would lessen dramatically. A rigid school uniform like black shoes, blue slacks and white collared shirt is not what I’m asking for. Why not, like the Leadership High School,

Next Paragraph (3rd Paragraph)

Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper.

Reason #2: Promotes discipline among students

•36% drop in school crime

•Columbine high school Everyone remembers the Columbine High incident where kids were shot based partially on what they wore

•Send mandates to the government.

For example,Moreover,

In other words,

For these reasons,

Reason #1: Promotes a sense of community.

•Many parents had school uniforms

•Less focus on fashion/ more on academics. Eliminate the Eliminate the wasteful time of putting wasteful time of putting together outfits.together outfits.

•Sense of community

C/A: May violate student individual expression

•Fashion is creativity

•Choice is important (allusion to The Giver)

•May interfere with religious clothing

According to the Religious According to the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, Freedom Restoration Act, schools must accommodate schools must accommodate students religious beliefs so students religious beliefs so school uniforms may prevent school uniforms may prevent this.this.

It is important that Ochoa M.S. should consider implementing a school uniform policy. School uniforms will promote a sense of a learning community and will minimize discipline problems. Although it may violate freedom of expression, there are solutions for it. Ochoa must seriously consider a wise policy such as this.

To promote a learning To promote a learning environment, Ochoa should environment, Ochoa should have a school uniform policy.have a school uniform policy.

Next Paragraph (4th P)

Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper.

It is true that a school uniform policy may interfere with some of Ochoa’s students freedom to wear their religious clothing, which the Freedom Restoration Act ensures. But it is not a draconian uniform policy that I ask for. What I am asking for is a fairly casual uniform policty: khaki colored pants for bottoms and for tops, a white collared shirt, polo or button down…

4th Paragraph

Readers ConcernReaders Concern

&&

CounterargumentCounterargument

Language of counterargument

• Others suggest…

• However, …

• On the other hand, …

• My own view is…

• Nonetheless, …

• Despite opposition, I am convinced that…

• The point remains…

Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper.

Reason #2: Promotes discipline among students

•36% drop in school crime

•Columbine high school Everyone remembers the Columbine High incident where kids were shot based partially on what they wore

•Send mandates to the government.

For example,Moreover,

In other words,

For these reasons,

Reason #1: Promotes a sense of community.

•Many parents had school uniforms

•Less focus on fashion/ more on academics. Eliminate the Eliminate the wasteful time of putting wasteful time of putting together outfits.together outfits.

•Sense of community

C/A: May violate student individual expression

•Fashion is creativity

•Choice is important (allusion to The Giver)

•May interfere with religious clothing

According to the Religious According to the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, Freedom Restoration Act, schools must accommodate schools must accommodate students religious beliefs so students religious beliefs so school uniforms may prevent school uniforms may prevent this.this.

It is important that Ochoa M.S. should consider implementing a school uniform policy. School uniforms will promote a sense of a learning community and will minimize discipline problems. Although it may violate freedom of expression, there are solutions for it. Ochoa must seriously consider a wise policy such as this.

To promote a learning To promote a learning environment, Ochoa should environment, Ochoa should have a school uniform policy.have a school uniform policy.

Summary Paragraph

Language of conclusion

• I am convinced that…• It is essential to recognize…• It is my strong belief…• In closing, …• On a final note, …• The facts clearly indicate…• It cannot be denied…• Finally, …

Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper.

For these reasons, it is important that Ochoa M.S. should consider implementing a school uniform policy. School uniforms will promote a sense of a learning community and will minimize discipline problems. Although it may violate freedom of expression, there are solutions for it. Ochoa must seriously consider a wise policy such as this. So let’s stand together for an environment devoted to learning. Without the distractions of an already overly fashion-conscious society, we can make OMS a true academy of achievers and learners.

Summary Paragraph

Ending PUNCH(So what?!)

Step 7: Vocabulary

Review your paragraphs. Can you add adjectives (describing words) and interesting adverbs (describing action words)?

ADJECTIVES ADVERBS

Step 7: Vocabulary

BEFORE:If schools instituted a school uniform policy bullying would lessen dramatically.

AFTER:Should a school like OMSmandate a uniform policy, we shall see dramaticdecrease in bullying.

Step 7: Vocabulary

BEFORE:There have been many close elections for political office.

AFTER:There have been many crucially close elections for political office.

Step 7: Vocabulary

Remember: The more sophisticated vocabulary you use…the higher your score.

bad

dreadful

Step 8: Visual ExpressionUse metaphors and similes to give your essay more visual expression.

There have been many close elections for political office.

There have been many political elections that have been as close as a barber’s shave.

Step 9: Reread Your WorkReread your work to make sure you have:

Taken a stand and stay on the topic

Given your reasons in the introductory paragraph

Have paragraphs that support each reason

Elaborate on a reason in each paragraph

Have a summary paragraph that restates your reasons

Begin each paragraph with a transition word

Include adjectives, adverbs, similes, and metaphors