Persuasive essay OUTLINE
Student Name Persuasive Outline
General Purpose: To persuade.
Specific Purpose: To persuade my audience that legislation should put in place for people 65
years of age or older to be periodically re-examined for their driver’s license.
Central Idea: People who are 65 years of age or older should be periodically re-examined for
their driver’s license to ensure maximum safety to all who operate motor vehicles.
I. Introduction.
A. Attention – “Life is like a hot bath. It feels good while you’re in it, but the longer you stay in it, the more wrinkled you get.” -Jim Davis Have you ever heard the phrase “you drive like a grandpa”? Have you ever been driving down the road and seen a sweet, elderly woman struggling to see over her steering wheel? Yes, we all have.
B. Preface.
1. Today, I will persuade you that people 65 years of age and older should be periodically re-examined for their driver’s license to ensure maximum safety to all who operate motor vehicles public roadways.
2. I will discuss how aging affect the human body, the percentage of automobile accidents that involve the elderly, and the many benefits of instituting a re-evaluation for driver’s licenses.
(TRANSITION) We all feel the effects of growing older; but, scientifically, what is happening to our bodies?
II. Body.
A. Aging in the human body affects a multitude of things physically and mentally.
1. “The number and size of muscle fibers also decrease. Thus, it takes muscles longer to respond in our 50s than they did in our 20s. . . Handgrip strength decreases, making it more difficult to accomplish routine activities such as opening a jar or turning a key.” (orthoinfo.aaos.org)
2. “The extent and nature of these changes vary widely and are gradual, and aging can have both positive and negative effects on cognition. Wisdom and knowledge can increase with age, while memory and attention can decline.” -committee chair Dan G. Blazer, the J.P. Gibbons Professor of Psychiatry Emeritus at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, N.C (National Academy of Sciences)
3. “Health related changes such as arthritis and pain which can affect cognitive areas such as concentration and processing speed. . .” (Emory University Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center)
(TRANSITION) We all know that growing older has its perks, but it also affects our day to day tasks.
B. How many people 65 or older are actually affected by automobile accidents?
1. “In 2017, almost 7,700 older adults (aged 65+) were killed in motor vehicle crashes, and more than 257,000 were treated in emergency departments for motor vehicle crash injuries.2 This means that each day, approximately 20 older adults are killed, and an additional 700 are injured in motor vehicle crashes.” (CDC.gov)
2. “A recent survey by TRIP, a nonprofit transportation group, and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation officials proved what many people have long suspected. Older drivers have the worst safety record of any age group, causing 17 percent of the fatal traffic accidents.”
3. In an article by the National Institute of Aging regarding safe driving tips, it is recommended that 1) “If you are 65 or older, see your eye doctor every year. Ask if there are ways to improve your eyesight. 2) If you need glasses or contact lenses to see far away while driving, make sure your prescription is up-to-date and correct. 3) Cut back on or stop driving at night if you have trouble seeing in the dark.”
(TRANSITION) However, preventative strategies are always more effective than trying to fix a problem while it is happening.
C. There are unlimited personal and public safety benefits that go along with a re-examination for driver’s licenses.
1. It can stop a loved one from hurting themselves or another driver on a public roadway.
2. Periodical screenings and check ups can catch the onset or even confirm a disease or health issue an older person may have. You can find article after article saying to “that regular checkups are not necessary because they only want your money.” To make things worse, NPR.org published an article citing a study that found, “Fewer than half of primary care doctors surveyed say they routinely test patients 65 and older for problems with memory and thinking, according to a report released Tuesday by the Alzheimer's Association.And just 16 percent of older patients surveyed say they receive regular cognitive assessments during routine health checkups”
(TRANSITION) The driving test could be so much more than just a driving test. It could help someone realize if they need help or have medical issues they were unaware of.
III. Conclusion.
A. It is important to keep in mind the safety of our elders.
1. Today I have persuaded the implementation of periodical re-examination for drivers 65 years of age or older in order to maintain a valid driver’s license. 2. I have discussed how aging affects mental and physically abilities, the amount of elderly drivers who have automobile accidents, and how re-evaluating older drivers helps, not only them, but also the safety of the public
B. I would like to leave you with this thought: Don’t regret growing older. It is a commodity and privilege denied to many.