PERSUASIVE TERMS and WRITING Notes PowerPoint!
TERMS TO KNOW:! Argument-! A mode of writing intended to win the reader s agreement.! This is similar to persuasion, but it has a difference of explaining both sides of a topic.! It s goal is to provide both sides of a topic, with a concise explanation for one side, versus changing one s point of you.! Argument will require discussion, deliberation, inquiry, and research to come up with a stronger resolution.
TERMS TO KNOW! Bias-! A personal preference or belief that one has.! Someone may not give much consideration to a different idea.! A bias in an article or editorial may show one point of view, using selected facts and quotes to support that point of view and disregard mentioning the opposing side.
TERMS TO KNOW CLAIM:! This is another word for thesis or proposition. It answers the question:! What is my point?! What does this prove? or
TERMS TO KNOW! Counter Claim-! The opposing position to the argument s claim.
TERMS TO KNOW Evidence-! The explanation and proof for an argument. It is the proof that supports the claim.! It may include personal experience, anecdotes, and facts.! It should be showing logic about the topic and establishing credibility, and it should not include fallacies.
TERMS TO KNOW Reasoning-! The art of using language effectively.! In argumentative writing, we want to keep in mind the way we use language to provide reasoning.
ETHICAL APPEALS Greek for character Important piece of argument, allows people to trust your explanations. Greek for logic Important piece of argument, established correct use of logic and evidence Greek for emotion Important piece of argument, creates the human connection that causes us to care.
ESSAY TITLE! DON T FORGET ABOUT YOUR ESSAY S TITLE!! Your essay s title will set the tone for the rest of your work.! Be as creative as you can be coming up with a title that fits your main idea.! The best time to write the tile is right after finishing the essay; however, don t forget to go back and create a title before you hand in your essay.
STRUCTURE OF INTRODUCTION! Attention Getter/ Hook! General Statements! Thesis Statement/Preview of Points
Attention Getters! Anecdote: a short and interesting story or an amusing event often proposed to support or demonstrate some point! Example As I visualize my grandfather, the same picture comes to my mind. It is that of a man standing with a cigarette in his hand. I can t remember a time when my grandfather wasn t smoking. He was truly addicted to nicotine.
Attention Getters! Startling Statistic: a number that represents a piece of information, usually unbelievable in nature.! Example According to the Surgeon General, 250,000 Americans die of lung cancer every year (Helms 9)
Attention Getters! Quotation: something that a person says or writes that is repeated or used by someone else.! Example Smoking is the most harmful habit a teenager can have (Kline 34).
Attention Getters! Rhetorical Question: a question that you ask without expecting an answer or does not have an answer. It is asked to make a point, to persuade or for literary effect.! Example Is it possible that tobacco companies will stand by and allow millions of Americans to perish as a result of the products they make?
Attention Getters! Quotation: something that a person says or writes that is repeated or used by someone else.! Example Smoking is the most harmful habit a teenager can have (Kline 34).
Attention Getters! Definition: an explanation of the meaning of a word, phrase, etc.! Example Webster s New Collegiate Dictionary defines a terminal illness as one that will definitely kill a person (1,194) Getting lung cancer as a result of smoking is a perfect example of a terminal illness.
Attention Getters! Generalization: the act or process of forming opinions that are based on a small amount of information! Example All smokers face the possibility of a premature death.
Thesis Statement! Your thesis statement is the! The most important part of your essay.! Establishes your position and guides your readers through the essay.! Thesis statements must include:! Limited topic! Your precise opinion! A preview of your reasons
Thesis Statement CON! Example Thesis Statements: (is this statement pro or con?) Student lockers should not be searched because it is an invasion of privacy, a sign of lack of trust, and a judgment of guilt without proof. PRO By allowing lockers to be searched the rise of drugs and weapons on campus will slow almost immediately, schools will be left safer, and those who are guilty will be caught.
Thesis Statement! Label Parts of the Thesis: Underline limited subject Circle author s opinion Box preview of points Student lockers should not be searched because it is an invasion of privacy, a sign of lack of trust, and a judgment of guilt without proof.
Three Body Paragraphs 1. Each body paragraph should start with a topic sentence that states one argument or claim defending your thesis.! Make sure this argument is important enough to devote an entire paragraph to in your essay.
Three Body Paragraphs 2. You may want to start with your best/strongest argument in your first body paragraph, OR you may wish to save the best argument for your third body paragraph. It s up to you. 3. Include logos and ethos that help prove your argument/claim.! These sentences avoid logical fallacies altogether.! In addition, leave your personal bias out as much as possible since it may weaken your points.! Instead, build your argument with evidence (most important to least) in each body paragraph.
Three Body Paragraphs 4. It is acceptable in your supporting sentences (or throughout your essay) to ask questions regarding your issue about which the audience might be wondering.! Just make sure that you answer these questions somewhere in the essay! Also, don t go overboard asking too many questions. 5. End each body paragraph with a /concluding or transitional statement that summarizes that paragraph or transitions to the next paragraph.
Body Paragraph Structure (5 to 10 sentences) 1. TOPIC SENTENCE: (Relates to Thesis Statement and main idea of paragraph) 2. MAIN POINT EVIDENCE #1: Facts, Statistics, Quotes 3. EXAMPLE EXPLANATION : Explain why the example supports your topic. 4. MAIN POINT EVIDENCE #2: Facts, statistics, Quotes 5. EXAMPLE EXPLANATION : Explain why the example supports your topic. 6. CONCLUDING SENTENCE OR TRANSITIONAL STATEMENT: Should summarize and transition into next paragraph.
OPTIONAL 4 th PARAGRAPH! The best persuasive essays (the ones that earn an A ) include a body paragraph that discusses the opposing side s perspective so that the reader will know that you have considered another point of view and have a rebuttal to it.! In other words, this is your opportunity to give arguments against the opposite side of the issue by blasting its ideas as unreasonable, unethical, socially irresponsible, ineffective, too costly, etc.
CONCLUSION! Start by REVIEWING (not repeating) your thesis statement.! Write a summary of THREE MAIN POINTS, in order of each of your three body paragraphs.! End with a CALL TO ACTION/CHANGE OF ATTITUDE/OPINION.! This is your chance to give your final plea.! Maybe predict what could happen if your position is ignored or laws are not changed.! Perhaps call for action by telling your reader what to do next, who to call, etc.! Whichever of these you choose, make sure to end on a strong note so that your reader will say, I agree with this essay, or I may not have changed my mind about this issue based on this essay, but it was still very persuasive.! Bring it back FULL CIRCLE, reference back to your attention getter.
Coming Full Circle: This gives your reader a sense of closure.! An anecdote:! End by telling a story that pertains to your main idea. Better yet, tell the POINT/PURPOSE of the anecdote you used as your attention getter.! Example Unfortunately my grandfather never overcame his addiction. He got lung cancer from smoking for so many years and died at the age of 57. I was only three years old when he passed away. Finally, I wish he had never smoked so that he would have lived a longer and healthier life.
Coming Full Circle: This gives your reader a sense of closure.! A prediction: Make an educated guess about your topic and opinion based on what you know about your topic.! Example In the years to come, people will be more wise about the dangers of smoking and will choose to not begin smoking in the first place.
Coming Full Circle: This gives your reader a sense of closure.! A quotation: Like in an attention getter, choose a passage from literature and list the author. Do not use a quote to begin AND end your essay. That s repetitive.
Coming Full Circle: This gives your reader a sense of closure.! A question: Ask something at the end of your essay that will cause your reader to think on the what their thoughts are or why they should reconsider their position on the topic.! Example With all the shocking evidence that exists about the dangers of smoking, why would anyone choose to start smoking at all?
Coming Full Circle: This gives your reader a sense of closure.! Turnaround: Make a statement that refers to the title of your essay.! Example (If your essay s title is Smoking Stinks then your closer could be): Smoking stinks not only because it makes a person wreak of a bad, smoky smell but also because it is so harmful to one s health.