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.
VOCABULARY
REQUIRED
OPTIONAL
Lever
Pulley
Applied force
Inclined Plane
Screw
Complex machine
Wedge
Wheel and axle
Effort force
Fulcrum
Work
Chain reaction
Force
Load
Prototype
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 design your letter using a word processor like Microsoft Word or Google Docs.
You must include a salutation and a signature.
Dear Friend,
I recently heard that you believe simple machines are not important in today's world because of all the complex machines we now have access to. I wanted to take a moment to share with you why simple machines are still very relevant and play a crucial role in our everyday lives.
Let's start with the lever, one of the most common and useful simple machines. A seesaw at the playground is a perfect example of a lever. By applying a small force on one end of the lever, we are able to move a heavier load on the other end. This allows us to lift objects with ease, making tasks such as lifting a heavy box or using a pair of scissors much simpler.
Next, let's talk about pulleys. Have you ever used a pulley system to lift something heavy? By using a pulley, we can change the direction of the force needed to lift an object. This makes moving heavy loads, such as lifting a car in a garage, much easier and more efficient.
Inclined planes are another important simple machine that we encounter in our daily lives. Think of a ramp that is used to load heavy objects onto a truck. By using an inclined plane, we can reduce the amount of force needed to move a heavy object vertically, making the task less strenuous and more manageable.
Screws, wedges, and wheel and axles are also simple machines that play a vital role in our everyday tasks. Screws help us fasten objects together, wedges help split objects apart, and wheel and axles help us move heavy loads with less effort.
Imagine a world without simple machines. Tasks that we take for granted, such as lifting heavy objects, moving furniture, or even driving a car, would be much more difficult and time-consuming without the help of these basic machines.
In conclusion, simple machines are important in everyday life because they make our work easier and more efficient. They are the building blocks of complex machines and technology that we see around us. I hope this letter has helped you see the value and necessity of simple machines in our modern world.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]