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Writing Prompt7th GradeLevel 2 · Standard

Free 7th Grade Should Cell Phones Be Banned at School? — Persuasive Writing

A test-style persuasive prompt on phone bans in schools. Students analyze persuasive techniques, then plan a contention, three developed arguments with evidence, a rebuttal and a call to action. The success criteria emphasize logical structure, audience awareness and the deliberate use of persuasive devices expected in 7th grade.

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Grade
7th Grade
Subject
English
Topic
Persuasive Writing
Difficulty
Level 2 · Standard
Estimated time
45 minutes
Curriculum
Texas grade levels (TEKS)
Questions
8
Answers
Included, with working
Format
PDF (A4), print or complete online

Students will practice

  • developing a sustained line of argument
  • supporting claims with evidence and reasoning
  • anticipating and rebutting counter-arguments
  • adapting tone and devices to the audience

Curriculum: Texas grade levels (TEKS). We show specific outcome codes only where they have been verified against the official curriculum document.

What's next?

Completed: Should Cell Phones Be Banned at School? — Persuasive Writing

  1. 1Persuasive Devices: Emotive Language, Rhetorical Questions and the Rule of Three
  2. 2Writing a Rebuttal and a Strong Call to Action
  3. 3Paragraph Structure: Topic Sentences, Evidence and Linking
  4. 4What Makes a Community a Good Place to Live? — Expository Essay

How to use this writing prompt

  1. Print the PDF or complete it on screen. Write the student's name and date at the top.
  2. Read the instructions for each part together before starting. Encourage working to be shown.
  3. Mark with the answer sheet. Use the model answers and success criteria as a guide rather than a single right answer.
  4. Record the score, celebrate what went well, then follow the "What's next" suggestion.

Common questions

Who is this writing prompt for?

7th Grade students (typically ages 12–13) working on persuasive writing. It is pitched at level 2 · standard.

Are the answers included?

Yes. The PDF includes a full answer sheet with model answers and success criteria where there is more than one good answer. You can also view the answers online.

How long does it take?

About 45 minutes for 8 questions. Short, regular sessions work best: two or three a week beats one long one.

Do I need to sign up to download?

No. Click Download Free PDF and it opens immediately. It is free for personal, classroom and homeschool use.

What should we do next?

Try Persuasive Devices: Emotive Language, Rhetorical Questions and the Rule of Three.

Preview

Success TutoringWorksheets7th Grade · English · Persuasive Writing

Should Cell Phones Be Banned at School? — Persuasive Writing

Name

Date

Plan for seven minutes, write for thirty minutes, then edit for five minutes.

Persuasive techniques

Identify the techniques you will use for a mixed audience of students, parents and teachers.

1.Match each persuasive technique to its example.
  • Anecdote
  • Inclusive language
  • Expert opinion
  • Emotive language
  • Rhetorical question
  • Appeal to logic
  • Can anyone really learn algebra with a notification buzzing every ninety seconds?
  • Last semester my friend lost an entire lunchtime to a group chat argument that started in math.
  • If phones are locked away, there is nothing to film, nothing to post and nothing to fight about online during school hours.
  • Teachers consistently report that lessons run more smoothly without phones.
  • We all know how hard it is to put a phone down.
  • Phones are quietly stealing our students' attention, hour by hour.
2.Which rebuttal best handles the opposing view that "phones are useful learning tools"?
  1. APhones are not useful for learning.
  2. BThat is a silly argument and nobody believes it.
  3. CIt is true that phones can support learning; however, every school already provides laptops for that purpose, so a phone adds distraction without adding anything a laptop cannot do.
  4. DSome people think phones help learning but I disagree.

Plan

Plan for seven minutes. Make sure each argument has evidence or an example.

3.Contention and the three arguments you will preview: (answer space)
4.Argument 1 (topic sentence + evidence/example + why it matters): (answer space)
5.Argument 2 (topic sentence + evidence/example + why it matters): (answer space)
6.Argument 3 (topic sentence + evidence/example + why it matters): (answer space)
7.Rebuttal (strongest opposing point and your answer): (answer space)
Free worksheets at worksheets.successtutoring.com · © Success Tutoring · Free for personal and classroom use

Preview — the PDF contains the full resource and answer sheet.

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    Persuasive Devices: Emotive Language, Rhetorical Questions and the Rule of Three

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    Writing a Rebuttal and a Strong Call to Action

    Students learn how a rebuttal makes an argument stronger by stating an opposing view fairly and then answering it with reasons and…

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About this resource

Created by
Success Tutoring
Last reviewed
1 October 2026
How it was made
Written by our team

Free to print and share for personal, classroom and homeschool use. Please don't resell. Spotted an error? Let us know.