Unit 1 – Writing Format /
Persuasive Writing
English 9
***NOTES GO IN FOLDER GIVEN TO YOU
YESTERDAY – RIGHT POCKET
Five Elements
• Focus – staying clear to your thesis statement / not
going off on tangents
• Organization – using good paragraph structure and
transitions
• Support and Elaboration – giving examples and
explaining them
• Style – word choice and sentence fluency
• Conventions (grammar / spelling)
Essay Format
• Introduction:
• 1. Attention grabber – quote, story, statistic, fact
▫ 2. Lead-in – explains attention grabber / connects
to thesis
 3. Thesis statement – tells reader what paper
is about
***When done correctly, a good introduction works like a funnel.
Essay Format
• Body Paragraph: (usually THREE, third
discusses opposing view and weakens it)
• 1. Topic sentence – use transition, tells
paragraph topic
▫ 2. Support 1 (EXAMPLE 1)
 3. Elaboration 1 (EXPLANATION 1)
 4. Support 2
▫ 5. Elaboration 2
▫ 6. Conclusion / Transition statement
Essay Format
• Conclusion:
• 1. Restate main point
▫ 2. End in an interesting / thoughtful way
Debate Activity
• Mr. Rinehart will split class in half
• Draw a topic from the hat
• 20-25 minutes to find 3-5 sources for your side
of the argument (must write down AND state
where the information came from – must be
RELIABLE source)
• EVERYONE should be helping, planning, and
taking notes
• Tomorrow – Review / debate
Debate Activity
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Format
Team A – 8 minutes
Team B – 8 minutes
Team A – 3 minute COUNTERCLAIM
Team B – 3 minute COUNTERCLAIM
Team A – 1 minute CLOSING ARGUMENT
Team B – 1 minute CLOSING ARGUMENT
• Discuss / winner announced
Persuasive Writing
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Take a stance! Do not be vague
Know your audience (whether given or not)
Give the best possible support for your argument
Use appropriate language (word choice)
Acknowledge opposing view, but explain why
yours is better (third body paragraph)
Persuasive Writing - Honors
• Is Cheating Always Wrong?
• "I would prefer even to fail with honor than to win by cheating." Sophocles
• "'Tis my opinion every man cheats in his own way, and he is only
honest who is not discovered." - Susannah Centlivre
• Recently, the idea of cheating has gotten much attention in the
world of sports, entertainment, and politics. Many celebrities have
been accused of gaining a competitive edge through dishonest
means. While cheating has mainly been publicly condemned, there
are many that feel there are times when cheating can actually be a
way of making things better. They believe there is nothing wrong
with making yourself a better athlete, entertainer, or politician if
what you have done makes the event more entertaining, or assists
the greater good. Do you feel that there are times when
cheating is acceptable, or is cheating never justified?
• In a detailed essay, articulate your position on whether
cheating is always wrong. Use facts and examples to
support your position.
Persuasive Writing - Honors
• As you write, remember your essay will be scored based on
how well you:
• Develop a multi-paragraph response to the assigned topic that
clearly communicates your thesis to the audience.
• Support your thesis with meaningful reasons and sufficient
details.
• Address the readers' concerns, opposing viewpoint, or
counterarguments.
• Organize your essay in a clear and logical manner, including
an introduction, body, and conclusion.
• Use well-structured sentences and language that are
appropriate for your audience.
• Edit your work to conform to the conventions of standard
American English.
Persuasive Writing
• Later School Opening
• Current research suggests that because teenagers have different sleep
patterns, they would benefit from beginning the school day at a later
time. Some schools are considering holding the school day from 9am4pm. Do you feel schools should start later in the morning and end a bit
later in the day?
• Write a multi-paragraph essay in which you persuade the Board
of Education to agree with your position on this issue. Be sure to
include specific details and examples to support your argument.
• As you write, remember your essay will be scored based on how well you:
• Develop a multi-paragraph response to the assigned topic that clearly
communicates your thesis to the audience.
• Support your thesis with meaningful reasons and sufficient details.
• Address the readers' concerns, opposing viewpoints, or counterarguments.
• Organize your essay in a clear and logical manner, including an
introduction, body, and conclusion.
• Use well-structured sentences and language that are appropriate for your
audience.
• Edit your work to conform to the conventions of standard American
English.
Persuasive Writing
• Step 1 – Organize your thoughts!
• Side A:
Side B:
• *List what you can for either one of the above
options, or list items for both. Remember, you
only have 5 minutes
• http://www.sleepfoundation.org/article/hottopics/eight-major-obstacles-delaying-schoolstart-times
Sample Body Paragraph
• (T.S.) First of all, one reason school uniforms should not be
mandatory in all public schools is because they take away students’
individuality.
• (S1)For example, in the article titled “Should Kids Wear School
Uniforms?” the author discusses how uniforms actually go as far as
taking students’ constitutional rights away, such as free speech and
free expression.
• (E1) One reason school is such a great place is because of the
immense individuality that exists there; if that is taken away, so is a
student’s will to be creative.
• (S2) Another example has to do with the different types of clothes
many students wear in order to sometimes illustrate their emotions.
• (E2) Some students choose to wear specific clothing based on their
mood that day; therefore, when certain students are down or
depressed, their friends or teachers can step in to try and help.
When uniforms are worn, this type of help is near impossible.
• (Con.) Based on the evidence provided, it is obvious that school
uniforms steal students’ individuality away from them