Outrageous requests teach students about persuasive writing – WLUC

GWINN, Mich. (WLUC) – Gwinn High School students are learning how to write persuasive essays through a unique assignment.

Freshmen in Amy Waldo’s English class are asking for things that some may find outrageous. However, it never hurts to ask, because some students have received responses.

Max Arkens wrote to Habor Freight to ask for a specific racing engine (Predator 212cc OHV Engine. A few weeks later, he received it and plans to use it to make an off-road vehicle from a lawnmower.

“It was pretty outrageous for a kid to ask for it for a lawnmower just to mess around with,” Arkens said. “I was glad they did accept it because I’m going to have a lot of fun with it and I’m going to send them pictures of it when I’m done.”

The assignment includes writing a letter to a business to ask for things that can help the student or the community.

Gwinn Area Community Schools English teacher Amy Waldo has been giving this assignment for years. She says this is meant to teach her students about persuasive writing and the ethos, pathos and logos that come with that.

“I think what really engages them is they get to be creative,” Waldo said. “And in Max’s outrageous request, Harbor Freight made a comment about how we need more creators, innovators and builders.”

Freshman Ela Pindral says she wrote to Fender to request an electric guitar.

“It’s way better than writing a boring essay,” Pindral said. “It makes you think more because you’re actually sending it to the person you want to talk to.”

Waldo says more replies, and gifts, may arrive in the future. Arkens says he plans on starting his project during the upcoming holiday break.

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