Persuasive Writing
11/18/15
Aim: Can I write an effective Persuasive
Essay?
Do Now:
1.
2.
Take out your binder & a
pencil
Discussion
Persuasive Writing
Write opinion pieces on topics or texts,
supporting a point of view with reasons and
information.
With guidance and support from peers and
adults, develop and strengthen writing as
needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting,
or trying a new approach.
Report on a topic or text or present an opinion,
sequencing ideas logically and using appropriate
facts and relevant, descriptive details to support
main ideas or themes;
speak clearly at an understandable pace.
Persuasive Writing
Before we start…
We are going to have a little vote.
Listen to me read two different sides of
an argument (persuasively written).
At the end, you will vote.
Should Schools Embrace
“Bring Your Own Device”?
Let’s Vote…
After listening to each side of the
debate, which would you agree
with??
Persuasive Writing
A style of writing that
tries to convince a reader
to do something or to
believe what they
believe about a certain
topic.
Someone might take a
stake or position for or
against something.
Persuasive Writing
Be clear about your purpose…
Why are you writing?
To support a cause?
To get people’s attention?
To convince someone to do or not
do something?
Provoke a change?
Generate interest in something?
What was the purpose of the
papers I just read to you?
Persuasive Writing Tips – Don’ts
• DON’T Begin with “I am going to tell you”
or “This is about”
• DON’T Use threats like “you should” or
“you better”
• DON’T Use a lot of negative words
• DON’T BEE too wordy
Persuasive Writing Tips – Do’s
• Mix facts with your opinions (limit opinions)
• Use a “hook” to grab your reader’s attention
• Use many examples wherever you can
• Be organized and specific
• Use adjectives and robust vocabulary
• Use mature language
• Consider your audience – who will read/hear this?
• Final paragraph/statement should be powerful!
In what ways did the papers I read to
you use these techniques?
Persuasive Writing Tips – Do’s
What is a hook?!
A hook is named for its ability to catch the
reader’s attention and make the reader want
to read on.
A hook can be…
-a shocking statement
-a quote
-a strongly stated fact
-a funny/humorous statement or anecdote
-a whimsical question or thought provoker (be
careful with this one!)
Persuasive Writing Tips – Do’s
What is mature language?!
You will be taken more seriously if you use language
that is mature and sophisticated. This tip goes handin-hand with using facts. Stating facts makes your
writing seem well thought-out and organized as well
as well-researched. Remember, no one wants to side
with someone who is yelling, whining, or complaining
at them!
BEE confident
BEE professional
BEE calm and assertive
Use words that sound wise
And BEEyond your years….
“Additionally” “Take into consideration…”
Persuasive Writing Format
How should I structure it?!
We will focus on a basic, five paragraph persuasive essay. It
consists of three basic parts:
Hook/Intro (1 paragraph)
Grab the reader’s attention, keep them interested, and
clearly state your side/opinion
Body (3 paragraphs)
Clearly make points and state facts that back up your reason
for writing this paper in the first place. Use many details,
examples, and convincing statements that back you up.
Conclusion (1 para)
Restate your opinion and position. Give the reader a brief
gist but most importantly leave them with something to
think about!
Persuasive Writing Format
Did the papers I read to you
have a…
Hook/Intro that is one paragraph?
Body with 3 paragraphs?
Conclusion that is one paragraph?
Dances with Wolves
Persuasive Essay
Upon your return to Fort Sedgewick, you have stumbled upon a group of soldiers from
the United States military who are responsible for capturing any “hostiles” on the frontier. The
military has heard stories of violence and thievery and feel that the Plains Indians are responsible
for this behavior. It is their intention to bring these “savages” under control. It has therefore,
fallen upon your shoulders, Lieutenant John J. Dunbar, to persuade the United States military
that the Sioux are NOT enemies of the U.S., but valued allies.
Your task is to write a well-developed essay to persuade the U.S. government of the
benefits of forming a mutual relationship with the Sioux community. This essay must contain
three positive characteristics of the Sioux that must be supported using SPECIFIC EVIDENCE
from the film. This essay should be a minimum of five paragraphs in length.
Persuasive Writing
Introduction
A. Hook statement
B. Background information (2-3 sentences)
C. Thesis statement
Persuasive Writing
Thesis Statement
The introduction should also include a thesis or focus statement.
The thesis is your statement of purpose. The thesis 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 should say to the reader:
"I've thought about this topic, I know what I believe about it, and I
know how to organize it.”
Persuasive Writing
TOPIC SENTENCES
A topic sentence organizes and focuses
the entire paragraph.
-A topic sentence is the first
sentence of the paragraph.
Every sentence in the paragraph must
relate to the topic sentence.
-There is no announcing in a
topic sentence.
Persuasive Writing
What does “Announcing” sound like?
-In this report, you will read….
-This report is about…
-This means…
-My topic sentence is…
-Do you believe…If not, listen to this
report…
ANYTHING ELSE LIKE THESE
Persuasive Writing
Body Paragraph
Topic Sentence
(supports the thesis statement):
A. Supporting detail #1 (supports the topic sentence)
example #1 (supports detail #1)
example #2 (supports detail #1)
B. Supporting detail #2 (supports the topic sentence)
example #1 (supports detail #2)
example #2 (supports detail #2)
C. Concluding statement (rephrase topic sentence)
Persuasive Writing
Conclusion
A. Rephrase thesis statement
B. Summarize main ideas (combine and
reword topic sentences)
C. Final statement-this should be impactful
and powerful
Persuasive Writing
Rough Draft…
Hook/Intro (1 para) Body (1-3 para) Conclusion (1 para)
This is an introduction paragraph. It should start
with a hook. This paragraph should explain your position on
whatever you are writing about. Be clear and focused. Get
me to want to read on. .
This should be three paragraphs. I should detect
lots of details and examples as well as elaborations. It should
be thoughtful and follow all of the steps of persuasive writing.
Consider each sentence before writing it and make sure that it
flows. Make sure that is supports your position. Don’t whine,
complain, or make false promises. Use mature language and
follow all of the “do” tips. You might have some research
included here.
Write your conclusion. Leave me with a provocative
thought. I should hear your position repeated. Make your last
paragraph just as strong as your first. Don’t be too short or
too long…make sure it’s just right!
Persuasive Writing
• DON’T Begin with “I am going to tell you”
or “This is about”
• DON’T Use threats like “you should” or
“you better”
• DON’T Use a lot of negative words
• DON’T BEE too wordy
Edit and Revise…
Follow normal rules. Also, reread your piece several
times while considering the “do’s” and “don’ts.”
REVISING
___Is into interesting? Hook?
___Do I have an interesting conclusion?
___Are there some parts that I could take out?
___Are there parts that don’t make sense?
___Could I combine any of the sentences?
___Did I use robust vocabulary?
___Did I stay on topic?
___Is the writing well organized?
___Is this my best work?
EDITING
___Did I reread my work a few times?
___Have I checked spelling?
___Do I have punctuation?
___Have I used capitals when needed?
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Mix facts with your opinions (limit opinions)
Use a “hook” to grad your reader’s attention
Use many examples wherever you can
Be organized and specific
Use adjectives and robust vocabulary
Use mature language
Consider your audience – who will read/hear this?
Final paragraph/statement should be
powerful!
Persuasive Writing
Final Copy…
Before publishing a final copy, reread several times.
This is an introduction paragraph. It should start
with a hook. This paragraph should explain your position on
whatever you are writing about. Be clear and focused. Get
me to want to read on. .
This should be three paragraphs. I should detect
lots of details and examples as well as elaborations. It should
be thoughtful and follow all of the steps of persuasive writing.
Consider each sentence before writing it and make sure that it
flows. Make sure that is supports your position. Don’t whine,
complain, or make false promises. Use mature language and
follow all of the “do” tips. You might have some research
included here.
Write your conclusion. Leave me with a provocative
thought. I should hear your position repeated. Make your last
paragraph just as strong as your first. Don’t be too short or
too long…make sure it’s just right!