Using toilet humor to teach writing

The video’s a bit shaky (I had a student record it), but I think it’s a good illustration of the power of persuasive writing.  In this video, I share with students a story of a time when I had to replace our toilet–3 times.  Eventually, I ended up filling out a complaint form which, in the end, persuaded the manufacturer to pay me for my efforts.

It’s a good example of why details are important when writing persuasively.

The actual complaint form, and a copy of the resulting check is below.

Click this link to see the complaint form: Menards Toilet Complaint Form

Related posts:

1. Encouraging Persuasive Writing
2. Mining the internet: a space for “writing without writing.”
3. Research on writing conventions: U R what U write.
4. Parker Palmer and “The Courage to Teach” renew teacher’s spirit
5. Do-it-yourself broadcasting: writing weblogs in a knowledge society.