Writing a Persuasive Essay by Katie B. of Holmes High School in Covington, Kentucky
Uniforms Reduce Problems
INTRODUCTION
Students enrolled in a public high school should be
Opinion statement
required to wear a school uniform. Many studies show that
Summary of reasons when school-uniform policies are put into place, there is an
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improvement in both attitude and schoolwork. Wearing uniforms would also reduce clothing costs and many problems related to competition in dress.
BODY/Reason
1:
Logical appeal
Uniforms can improve the school environment, leading to better student behavior and better grades. Mrs. Chung, a high school principal, conducted research on the results of wearing
Expert opinion
uniforms. She said, “In the past two or three years, several schools in the nation have begun to require a school uniform.
All of these schools are reporting improved student grades and improved student behavior.”
Reason 2:
Logical appeal
Uniforms are also less expensive than regular clothing.
An outfit for a student can easily cost upwards of sixty dollars.
Evidence: Facts
The uniforms sold at area stores cost fifty-four dollars or less.
1
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Writing a Persuasive Essay
Thus, buying uniforms would save money for students and
Ethical appeal
their parents. This would be especially helpful to families on a low budget.
Reason 3:
Emotional appeal
Last, uniforms would reduce the competition in dress among students. Students who do not have as much money as others would not have to be embarrassed about their parents’
Evidence:
Anecdote
income. I have seen students get teased about their clothes in
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the hall, which would not happen if everyone wore the same thing. CONCLUSION
Counterclaim addressed Some people say that uniforms infringe on students’ freedom. However, uniforms would not cause a threat to a student’s individual freedom because there are lots of other things that make you “you” besides clothing. People would be noticed for who they are as individuals rather than for what
Summary of reasons they were wearing. Because wearing uniforms would reduce many problems and would improve grades and behavior,
Restated opinion
students enrolled in public high school should be required to wear a school uniform.
2
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