Prep Writing Persuasive Essay Purpose: The writer will learn how to effectively plan, draft, and compose a persuasive essay using the writing process. Objectives: The learner will: Demonstrate an understanding of persuasive strategies (pathos, logos, ethos) and the elements of a persuasive essay. Create a clear and concise thesis Use a graphic organizer to plan a persuasive essay Write a persuasive essay using the writing process. What is a persuasive essay? Persuasive writing is found in advertising, newspaper editorials, blogs, and political speeches. In persuasive writing, a writer takes a position FOR or AGAINST an issue and writes to convince the reader to believe or do something Persuasive writing, also known as the argument essay, uses logic and reason to show that one idea is more legitimate than another idea. It attempts to persuade a reader to adopt a certain point of view or to take a particular action. The argument must always use sound reasoning and solid evidence by stating facts, giving logical reasons, using examples, and quoting experts. A good persuasive essay demonstrates not only why the writer s opinion is correct, but also why the opposing view is incorrect. Often persuasive writing assignments address contemporary issues, for example: The school board is debating on whether or not to ban cell phone use in school. Write an essay convincing the board to adopt your position. As shown in this persuasive writing prompt, the main purpose is not to inform, but to persuade or convince an audience (in this case, the school board) to think or act a certain way.
1 PRE-WRITING When planning a persuasive essay, follow these steps: Choose your position. Think about the issue and take a stand. Are you for(pro) or against (CON) the argument? Know the purpose of your essay. Understand the audience. To write an effective persuasive essay, you must understand the reader s perspective. Decide if your audience agrees with you, is neutral, or disagrees with your position. Do the research. A persuasive essay depends upon solid, convincing evidence. Don t rely on a single source. Go to the library, speak with experts on the subject. There is no substitute for knowledge of both sides of the issue. 2 plan 1. Format the introductory paragraph. Grab the reader s attention by using a hook. Give an overview of the argument. Close with a thesis statement that reveals the position to be argued. 2. Include the opposing view paragraph. Describe and then refute the key points of the opposing view. 3. Format the body paragraph Each body paragraph should focus on one piece of evidence. Within each paragraph, provide sufficient supporting details. 3. Create the concluding paragraph. Restate and reinforce the thesis and supporting evidence. 3 compose WRITE YOUR FIRST DRAFT DEVELOP YOUR THESIS USE TRANSITIONS USE STRONG EVIDENCE,FACTS, EXAMPLES CONCLUDE WITH A CALL TO ACTION DEVELOP YOUR THESIS Your thesis statement is a short summary of what you're arguing for. It's usually one sentence near the end of your introductory paragraph. Your thesis a combination of your topic, your position (for or against) and your persuasive arguments, in a single powerful sentence. EXAMPLE: Passage of the Equal Rights Amendment will give women the right to vote, fair pay in the job market, and a chance to serve in combat.
EXAMPLES: An effective thesis statement identifies the following: 1.The topic. 2.The point of the essay or three main ideas that will be discussed. 3.Your position towards the topic. I maintain that it is possible to stop most drug addiction in the United States within a very short time through legalization, making them available to the public, and selling them at cost. CAN YOU IDENTIFY THE: TOPIC: POSITION: POINT 1: POINT 2 : POINT 3: In order to end the AIDS epidemic, public awareness and research funding must increase, and the government must double contributions to AIDS outreach programs. CAN YOU IDENTIFY THE: TOPIC: POSITION: POINT 1: POINT 2 : POINT 3: Summarize your evidence and encourage the reader to adopt the position or take action in the concluding paragraph. The closing sentence can be a dramatic plea, a prediction that implies urgent action is needed, a question that provokes readers to think seriously about the issue, or a recommendation that gives readers specific ideas on what they can do. The signature of a persuasive speech is a clear call-to-action. Yet many speakers miss a fantastic opportunity with a call-to-action that is wishy-washy, hypothetical, or weak. Sometimes the call-to-action is missing entirely. A poor call-to-action undermines the effectiveness of your speech; a great call-to-action stirs your audience to act enthusiastically.
4 revise In the revision phase, review, modify, and reorganize your work with the goal of making it the best it can be. Share your essay with a classmate. Use their feedback to help you make necessary changes. Keep these considerations in mind: Does the essay present a firm position on the issue? Is the essay supported with relevant facts, statistics, quotes, and examples? Does the essay open with an effective hook that intrigues readers and keeps them reading? Does each paragraph offer compelling evidence focused on a specific point? Is the opposing point of view presented and convincingly refuted? Is the sentence structure varied? Is the word choice precise? Do the transitions between sentences and paragraphs help the reader s understanding? Does the concluding paragraph convey the value of the writer s position and urge the reader to think and act? Take another look the thesis. Does it present the strongest argument? Test it by writing a thesis statement for the opposing viewpoint. In comparison, does the original thesis need strengthening? 5 edit Proofread and correct errors in grammar and mechanics, and edit to improve style and clarity. 6 publish Write/type your final copy.
NAME NAME DIRECTIONS: View Persuasive Appeals by Bruce Goodner. Use the words in the word bank below to complete this cloze activity. credibility pathos reasonable logical appeal feelings reasonable reasons thought logos ethical appeal fair knowledgeable trustworthy considerate evidence ethos emotions Aristotle A long time ago, in ancient Greece, a philosopher named noticed that when people try to persuade each other, they used three main tactics. He called these tactics,, and. The first one, Ethos, or is about establishing your with the audience. An author or speaker establishes credibility with the audience by being, being about the topic, being, and being of their thoughts and opinions. Logos, or has to do with being. When your idea or argument is reasonable, it means you put a lot of into it, that there are good there is to think the way you do, and that to support what you say. Pathos is an appeal to. It s all about. If you want someone to positive with you, probably want someone to have a towards you. So the speaker needs to make sure that the audience feels the same way she does, whether or not they agree with the topic. That way, if they feel the same, they re more likely to with her later on.
Parts of the Persuasive Essay 1. The Introduction The introduction has a "hook or grabber" to catch the reader's attention. Some "grabbers" include: 1. Opening with an unusual detail: (Manitoba, because of its cold climate, is not thought of as a great place to be a reptile. Actually, it has the largest seasonal congregation of garter snakes in the world) 2. Opening with a strong statement: (Cigarettes are the number one cause of lighter sales in Canada) 3. Opening with a Quotation: (Elbert Hubbard once said, "Truth is stronger than fiction.") 4. Opening with an Anecdote: An anecdote can provide an amusing and attention-getting opening if it is short and to the point. 5. Opening with a Statistic or Fact: Sometimes a statistic or fact will add emphasis or interest to your topic. It may be wise to include the item's authoritative source. 6. Opening with a Question. (Have you ever considered how many books we'd read if it were not for television?) 7. Opening with an Exaggeration or Outrageous Statement. (The whole world watched as the comet flew overhead.) The introduction should also include a thesis or focus statement. The Thesis/Hypothesis is your statement of purpose. The thesis/hypothesis should be one sentence in length. This is the foundation of your essay and it will serve to guide you in writing the entire paper. There are three objectives of a thesis statement: 1. It tells the reader the specific topic of your essay. 2. It imposes manageable limits on that topic. 3. It suggests the organization of your paper. Through the thesis, you are saying to the reader: "I've thought about this topic, I know what I believe about it, and I know how to organize it." 2. The Body The writer then provides evidence to support the opinion offered in the thesis statement in the introduction. The body should consist of at least three paragraphs. Each paragraph is based on a solid reason to back your thesis statement. Since almost all issues have sound arguments on both sides of the question, a good persuasive writer tries to anticipate opposing viewpoints and provide counter-arguments along with the main points in the essay. One of the three paragraphs should be used to discuss opposing viewpoints and your counter- argument. The following are different ways to support your argument: Facts - A powerful means of convincing, facts can come from your reading, observation, or personal experience. Note: Do not confuse facts with truths. A "truth" is an idea believed by many people, but it cannot be proven.
Statistics - These can provide excellent support. Be sure your statistics come from responsible sources. Always cite your sources. Quotes - Direct quotes from leading experts that support your position are invaluable. Examples - Examples enhance your meaning and make your ideas concrete. They are the proof. 1. Clarify your position in your topic sentence state your argument or reason that supports your position (thesis), think about what needs to be explained, and then think about how you can elaborate. 2. Include Concession Statements (address opposing viewpoints) If you're writing a persuasive piece, you might consider beginning with a concession-- that is, by beginning with an acknowledgement of part of your opponent's argument as being valid. Remember that a concession is not a form of weakness. In fact a concession is a strength as it finds common ground with your opponent and establishes your ethical appeal: you are a reasonable person willing to listen to/acknowledge that there are more sides to an issue than yours. You can t ignore compelling opposing evidence. You must address strong arguments on the other side; if you don t, it looks like you are not well prepared and have not looked at the issue you are writing about from all perspectives.** Example: "True, gun control legislation in Canada needs to be tightened to prevent the United States from becoming as violent as its neighbors to the south. The proposal that has been submitted, however, does not go far enough. Instead,...[now writer begins building his side of argument, showing how it is stronger than the opposing side s] Hints for successful body paragraphs: 3. Use transitions between sentences to serve as cues for the reader (first, second, then, however, consequently, therefore, thus, still, nevertheless, notwithstanding, furthermore, in fact, in contrast, similarly, instead) 3. The Conclusion A piece of persuasive writing usually ends by summarizing the most important details of the argument and stating once again what the reader is to believe or do. 1. Restate your thesis or focus statement. 2. Summarize the main points: The conclusion enables your reader to recall the main points of your position. In order to do this you can paraphrase the main points of your argument. 3. Write a personal comment or call for action. You can do this: With a Prediction: This can be used with a narrative or a cause and effect discussion. The conclusion may suggest or predict what the results may or may not be in the situation discussed or in similar situations. With a Question: Closing with a question lets your readers make their own predictions, draw their own conclusions. With Recommendations: A recommendations closing is one that stresses the actions or remedies that should be taken.
With a Quotation: Since a quotation may summarize, predict, question, or call for action, you may use a quotation within a conclusion for nearly any kind of paper. Persuasive Essay Outline INTRODUCTION: A. Get the readers attention by using a "hook." B. Give some background information if necessary. C. Thesis or focus statement. BODY PARAGRAPH 1 I. First argument or reason to support your position: A. Topic sentence explaining your point and reason B. Possible concession toward opposing argument C. Elaboration/details/evidence to support your point. D. Conclusion sentence BODY PARAGRAPH 2 II. Second argument or reason to support your position: A. Topic sentence explaining your point and reason B. Possible concession toward opposing argument C. Elaboration/details/evidence to support your point. D. Conclusion sentence BODY PARAGRAPH 3 III. Third argument or reason to support your position: A. Topic sentence explaining your point and reason B. Possible concession toward opposing argument C. Elaboration/details/evidence to support your point. D. Conclusion sentence CONCLUDING PARAGRAPH: A. Summary of main points or reasons B. Restate thesis statement. C. Personal comment or a call to action.
Transitions: Transitions are words and phrases that connect ideas and show how they are related. To repeat an idea just stated: In other words That is To repeat Again To illustrate an idea: For example, For instance In particular To illustrate In this manner Thus To announce a contrast, a change in direction: Yet However Still Nevertheless On the other hand In contrast Instead of On the contrary Conversely Notwithstanding In spite of this Time: At once In the interim At length Immediately At last, Meanwhile In the meantime Presently At the same time Shortly In the end Temporarily Thereafter To restate an idea more precisely: To be exact To be specific To be precise More specifically More precisely To mark a new idea as an addition to what has been said: Similarly Also, Too Besides Furthermore Further Moreover In addition, To show cause and effect: As a result, For this reason Therefore Hence Consequently Accordingly Conclusion: In short To conclude In brief On the whole In summary To sum up
Conferencing with a Peer Ask someone to read your rough draft to see if they understand and can follow your argument. Ask them to consider the following questions. Their answers should show you that your argument makes sense. What is the thesis statement? How is the thesis explained? What are the main points of the argument? (3) 1. 2. 3. How did the author back up each point? 1. 2. 3. What are the opposing point(s)? What is the writer's solution?
FACT OR OPINION? Arguments in persuasive writing should be supported by facts and statistics. The following arguments are followed by three supporting statements. Two of the statements contain opinions and generalizations. One is a statement of fact. Read each set of arguments and highlight the statement that is a fact or statistic. It s important to wear sunscreen when you are outside in the summer. It smells good. It s really smart to wear sunscreen. Even a suntan is evidence that the sun has damaged the skin. You should always drive the speed limit. Driving fast is dangerous. Speeding is a contributing factor of one-third of fatal car crashes. Speeding isn t fun. Our family should get a dog. I have time before and after school to walk the dog. It is fun to run with a dog. Dogs make good pets. Frozen fruit pops are healthier than ice cream. They taste better. There is no fat in frozen fruit pops. Grape is the best flavor.