Writing Assignment: Stake Your Claim

Stake Your Claim

Now it is your turn to use the new rhetorical skills you have used. Because of the declining economy, fewer jobs are available. As a result, thousands of people in your area have recently become homeless through no fault of their own. Imagine that a large group of people without homes has set up a temporary camp near your house.

Many people who live in your community are furious about this. They want the government and police to send these people away using legislation, intimidation, or force. Others support allowing those without homes to stay and even suggest helping them by giving supplies and facilities.

Everyone has been invited to the town hall for a meeting to resolve this issue. People who wish to speak must submit a proposal outlining what they intend to say. The town council will select five speakers from each side of the debate to present their arguments at the meeting. You feel strongly about this issue, so you decide to submit a proposal.

DIRECTIONS: Read all of the instructions and the judging criteria before completing the form. All responses must be in complete, grammatically correct sentences with correct punctuation and spelling.

1. Box 1: State your claim and your 3 main reasons.

2. Box 2: State your first supporting reason clearly and show how it supports your claim.

3. Box 3: State your first supporting example, fact, or detail that proves your supporting reason in Box 2.

4. Box 4: State your second supporting example, fact, or detail that proves your supporting reason in Box 2.

5. Box 5: State your third supporting example, fact, or detail that proves your supporting reason in Box 2.

6. Box 6: State your second supporting reason clearly and show how it supports your claim.

7. Box 7: State your first supporting example, fact, or detail that proves your supporting reason in Box 6.

8. Box 8: State your second supporting example, fact, or detail that proves your supporting reason in Box 6.

9. Box 9: State your third supporting example, fact, or detail that proves your supporting reason in Box 6.

10. Box 10: State your third supporting reason clearly and show how it supports your claim.

11. Box 11: State your first supporting example, fact, or detail that proves your supporting reason in Box 10.

12. Box 12: State your second supporting example, fact, or detail that proves your supporting reason in Box 10.

13. Box 13: State your third supporting example, fact, or detail that proves your supporting reason in Box 10.

14. Box 14: State you claim again in a pithy, memorable, sound bite that the audience will not forget.