OPTION 5: Persuasion Letter
Student will respond to the prompt included below to persuade a friend that simple machines are still very important to everyday life. Student must provide examples of all 6 simple machines
SPECIFIC GUIDELINES AND REQUIREMENTS:
Respond to the following prompt:
Suppose you have a friend who thinks simple machines are not useful today because of all of the complex, modern-day machines we have access to. Write a letter persuading your friend that simple machines are important in everyday life. To help make the letter convincing, give examples of commonly used simple machines. Be sure to tell how these machines make work easier.
You can also mention what the result would be if we didn’t have simple machines. You must provide examples of all six machines.
Your letter must be at least 250 words or more and should include multiple paragraphs.
You must include a salutation and a signature.
Dear Friend,
I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to you today because I heard that you don't think that simple machines are useful in today's world. I would like to persuade you that simple machines are very important in everyday life.
Simple machines are machines that have been around for centuries, and while it is true that we now have access to complex and modern-day machines, simple machines are still very relevant. They are so relevant, in fact, that you use them every day without even realizing it!
Let me explain to you what simple machines are. They are tools that make work easier by multiplying the force we apply or by changing the direction of that force. There are six types of simple machines: levers, pulleys, wheels and axles, inclined planes, wedges, and screws.
Let's start with the first one: levers. Do you know how a seesaw works? This is a perfect example of a lever. It is a long pole or plank that is placed on a fulcrum and it is used to lift or move heavy objects, like pushing a heavy door. Levers can help you move things easily and are essential in making work easier.
Another example of a simple machine is the pulley. Have you ever seen a flag being hoisted? If yes, then you have seen a pulley in action. Pulleys make it easy to lift objects by using a wheel and a rope. They make it easier to hoist things that would be impossible to lift by hand.
A third example is wheels and axles. This is a simple machine that we use all the time. Cars, bicycles, skateboards, toys - all of these use wheels and axles to move around. By using wheels and axles, we are able to reduce the amount of force needed to move an object.
Inclined planes are another important simple machine. A ramp is a perfect example of an inclined plane. By using ramps, we can move heavy objects more easily than just lifting them straight up. A great example is when we move furniture. We can easily roll it up onto a ramp or a dolly, and then move it to a new location.
A wedge is another type of simple machine. A knife or a saw are perfect examples. They allow us to cut food or wood with less effort than if we were to use brute force.
Finally, we have the screw. Screws have threads that make it easy for them to move into surfaces like wood or metal. This type of machine is used to hold things together or create new structures.
As you can see, simple machines are still very relevant in today's world. Imagine trying to move heavy objects without a lever or a pulley. It would be much harder. All of these machines are essential to making our lives easier, and without them, basic tasks would be much more difficult to accomplish.
I implore you to start paying attention to these simple machines and how they make our lives easier. They may be simple, but they are still very important.
Best regards,
[Your Name]