What is persuasive writing?

• An essay which tries to convince a reader to believe what you believe about a certain topic.

• Do:
• Divide into 6 paragraphs
• Have a thesis statement in your introduction
• Come up with 3 main points to support your argument—these paragraphs
• Counter-argument
• Have a conclusion that contains a clincher statement
• Don ’ t
• Begin with “ hello my name is___ and I ’ m going to write about____ ”
• Take out the word I (instead of I think we shouldn ’ t wear uniforms say “ Uniforms shouldn ’ t be required ”
• Remove all first/second personal pronouns (you, me, we, us, I, my your, etc)
• Be wishy washy. Pick a side.
• Forget to support your opinions with facts and example

1. Understand the prompt
2. Create pro/con chart to decide on position
3. Write your thesis
4. Decide on evidence
5. Fill out graphic organizer
– Introduction & supports A, B, C
– Write a thesis (a position that you will argue using evidence)
– Decide on reasons and the evidence you will use to support each reason
– Counterargument: opposing side and evidence for their side
– Conclusion Strategy
6. Write the essay!

These are things that make a fabulous persuasive essay
• A thought provoking thesis statement
• An interesting introduction with a hook
• 3 banging body paragraphs with innovative ideas
• A creative counter argument
• Tremendous transition phrases between paragraphs (and transition words throughout)
• A killer conclusion with a clincher statement- Leave the reader thinking!

• A thesis statement is one sentence in your introduction that states your opinion. It needs to be strong.

• This essay describes the difference between being a student and being a scholar.
• School board policy should be changed in order to implement cell phones into the curriculum.

• Never say “ Hello….blah blah ” or “ This essay will be about… ”
BORING!
• You never get a second chance to make a first impression.
• Some techniques we will learn about:
– Anecdote
– Riddles
– Fragment technique
– Quotations
– Shocking statement

• A short story within an introduction to make the point clear.
• Example:
• Sally got out of bed, and looked at the alarm clock. She was running late! She would have to hurry to catch the bus. This was one of those days that she was glad that her school had a uniform policy…she wouldn ’ t have to waste much time picking out an outfit.

• Get your reader ’ s attention with a challenging thought.
• What ’ s plain, and boring? What makes all students in a school building look the same and lose their individuality? If you guessed UNIFORMS, you ’ re correct!

• Uses 3 short fragments to create an image.
• Example:
• A brand new skirt, a crisp, white shirt, and a warm September day. These things were present on the first day of school.

• Conversational
“ Mom, I’ve got nothing to wear”
• Famous Quote
• “Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society.”
- Mark Twain

Provides statistics or facts that startles readers to pull them into your story.
• Example
Over 23% of all public and private schools have a uniform policy, with 13 million dollars going to annual school uniform sales. The average cost to a family being
$249.- StatisticBrain.com

• Introduction/hook
• Reason #1
– + specific evidence to support reason #1
• Reason #2
– + specific evidence to support reason #2
• Reason #3
– + specific evidence to support reason #3
– Counterargument
• Conclusion

3 banging body paragraphs with innovative ideas
• You should come up with three points to support your opinion
• Each of the points will be turned into a body paragraph
• Try to think of ideas that no one else would think of

3 banging body paragraphs with innovative ideas (an example)
• Your school has a uniform policy. Some people argue that uniforms in schools are beneficial because they cause less distractions, and some argue that they are not a good idea because they take away a student ’ s individuality. Do you agree or disagree with uniform policy? Make sure to support your position

3 banging body paragraphs with innovative ideas (an example)
• Thesis: Uniform policies are beneficial in schools, and should be implemented nationwide.
Reason 1: Allows for less bullying based on wardrobe.
Reason 2: Students will concentrate more on school and less on attire.
Reason 3: It cuts down on cost of school clothes and time spent getting ready in the morning.

• Your essay should focus on your main point – the thesis– and your evidence.
• To counter-argue is to consider a possible argument against your thesis.
• A good persuasive essay will openly consider alternatives and then, through logic and evidence, prove why those alternatives are faulty or incorrect.

• Two stages
– 1. The Counterargument
How and why might someone disagree with you?
Words/phrases that signal the counterargument include: It might seem that . . . or It
. or Admittedly . . .
’ s true that . .
– 2. The Response to the
Counterargument
How would argue against someone who disagrees with you? Refute it with a but, yet, however,
nevertheless, or still . . . followed by your carefully-thought rebuttal.

Although some believe school uniforms will lead to an improved school culture(counterargument), it is obvious that they will not.
Students, if crafty enough, will find other reasons to bully. For instance, instead of clothes they may focus on race or religion(response to counterargument)___.

• Transition words move from one thought to the next
• Usually at the beginning of 3 body paragraphs
• Avoid the same weak transition words (first, next, last)

• Clincher statement is the last line of your paper. It should almost shock your reader
• Conclusion leaves a lasting impression…

• In conclusion, over 95% of parents polled are in agreement with a school wide uniform policy. Uniforms allow students to be who they are, not what they wear.
After all, shouldn ’ t school be about academics rather than apparel? It ’ s time our nation got back to reading, writing, and arithmetic….not Hollister, North Face, and
UGGs.

• What are some dos?
• What are some don ’ ts?
• What are these things…
– A thought provoking thesis statement
– An interesting introduction with a hook
• Anecdote
• Riddles
• Fragment technique
• Quotations
• Shocking statement
– 3 banging body paragraphs with innovative ideas
– Tremendous transition words between paragraphs
– A killer conclusion with a clincher statement

• Thesis Statement
• Effective & Smooth Sentences
• Use of Support & Analysis
• Logical Organization
• Focus & Tone
• Clear, Accurate Copy