Instructions
Part 1: Persuasive Paragraph
Write one paragraph answering the question: “Why is social media a good thing OR a bad thing for teenagers?”
Your paragraph must use at least three of the following persuasive techniques:
- Rhetorical Question: A question asked to make a point, not to get an answer.
- Emotive Language: Words chosen to make the reader feel a particular emotion.
- Facts/Statistics: Using evidence and data to support your point.
- Exaggeration (Hyperbole): Overstating something for effect.
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Part 2: Creative Writing Starter
Begin your story with the line provided below. Continue the story for 6–8 sentences, focusing on building suspense.
I woke up and everything was completely silent…
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Answer Key
Part 1: Persuasive Paragraph (Example Answer)
(Note: Your paragraph may argue the opposite point, but it should still include three persuasive techniques.)
While it may seem like a fun way to connect, social media is often a devastatingly negative force in a teenager's life. (Emotive Language) Don't we all deserve a break from the constant pressure to be perfect? (Rhetorical Question) This endless comparison to filtered, flawless lives can be a crushing weight on a teenager's fragile self-esteem. Without careful limits, teens can end up spending literally every waking moment scrolling through endless feeds, completely disconnected from the real world around them. (Exaggeration) It’s a toxic environment that prioritizes likes over genuine happiness and well-being.
Part 2: Creative Writing Starter (Example Answer)
(Note: Your story will be different, but it should focus on building suspense.)
I woke up and everything was completely silent. Not just quiet, but a heavy, unnatural stillness that seemed to press in on me. The usual morning sounds—the chirping of birds, the distant rumble of traffic—were gone. Even the old house, which always groaned and settled, made no noise. I held my breath, straining to hear anything, but there was only the frantic thumping of my own heart. Slowly, I swung my legs over the side of the bed, planting my feet on the cold floor. As I crept towards the door, I noticed the thin sliver of light that usually shone from under it was missing. The hallway beyond my room was plunged into absolute darkness.