The Persuasive Essay
Objective
• To understand how to write a persuasive
essay.
Terms for Review
• What is a Persuasive Essay?
• An essay that presents a point of view and
a counter point of view with the intent to
persuade or convince.
Terms for Review
Before we start, let’s quickly review some
vocabulary!
Terms for Review:
Definitions
• What is an “ISSUE”?
a topic on which people hold different,
and often strong, opinions
Terms for Review:
• Topic Sentence/ Thesis Statement:
- a sentence that states the topic of an
essay and the writer’s opinion about the
topic.
Terms for Review:
• Argument:
- the writer’s presentation of reasons and
evidence to prove the validity of the thesis
Terms for Review:
• Counterargument:
- the writer’s acknowledgement that other
people may not share the same opinion
Terms for Review:
• Transitions:
- words or phrases that show how
sentences or ideas connect to each other
Terms for Review:
• Public voice:
- a more formal use of the language than
everyday speech, the language of
business and news reporting; the opposite
is private voice, the language between
friends, often involving slang and
incomplete sentences
Organization
How do we organize a persuasive essay?
• The persuasive composition has a specific
organizational pattern:
• Introduction (Hook/Lead + History+ Thesis
Statement
• Argument (2-3 paragraphs)
• Counterargument & Rebuttal (1
paragraph)
• Conclusion
The Prompt
• What is the best sport for children to play?
In this writing test you will write a
persuasive essay to convince the reader
of your position. Give convincing reasons
that support your positions and address
the concerns of those who would argue
against your position.
Outline
Thesis = Soccer is the ideal sport for
children
argument
counter
teaches teamwork
too intimidating for some
rebuttal learning teamwork necessary
Conclusion
--every position has a job
--everyone must work together to win
--physically smaller
--not as athletic
--work together well
home
school
Paragraph One:Thesis
• Hook + History+ Thesis Statement
Hook- Parents often wonder what is the best
sport for children to play.
History/Background- Sports are an important
part of growing up.
Thesis-Although there are many sports, I
believe soccer is an ideal sport for children
Transitions for argument:
One reason
First,
Expand Your Argument
One reason is that soccer teaches
teamwork. Each position has a specific
job. Forwards have the responsibility of
scoring goals. The fullbacks’ job is
defense, and the halfbacks assist both
forwards and fullbacks. Defense of the
goal is the duty of the goalie. In order to
win all must do their jobs well and rely on
each other for help.
Transitions for counterargument:
•
•
•
•
Certainly,
Of course,
Admittedly,
Obviously,
Expand Your Counter
• Certainly, team sports can intimidate children.
Some children may be physically smaller than
others. Age group teams are meant to solve this
problem, but it is not unusual to see large
differences of height and weight in children of
the same age. Others may not be as athletic as
other team members. Children are particularly
sensitive about how they compare to their peers.
When they cannot run as fast as other team
members or are not as agile, they fear ridicule
Transitions for rebuttal:
•
•
•
•
•
•
However,
On the other hand,
Nevertheless,
Conversely,
Yet,
Still,
Expand Your Rebuttal
However, learning to work as part of a team is essential to
success in many other areas. Children have to learn to
cooperate both at school and home. In school students
are expected to work together without conflict. Many
teachers use cooperative groups to teach. At home
children are expected to be part of the family team and
help with chores that need to be done. When they are
older, these children may have a job that requires
teamwork. Only rarely does a person work in job that
does not require working with others. Office workers
have to work together to accomplish the tasks given to
them. Construction workers have to be part of a team
effort to finish buildings on time and on budget.
Remember to self edit
before peer editing!
• Level Three
•
__
capital
•
p.
punctuation
•
sp
spelling
•
/
lowercase letter
•
frag. sentence
fragment
•
RO
run-on sentence
•
n.c. not clear
•
This is wrong
•
^
word left out
awk.
Awkward
w.c.
word choice
not parallel
agr.
subject/verb
agreement
t.
verb tense
Soccer: An Ideal Sport for Children
Sports are an important part of growing up. Parents often wonder what is the best sport
for children to play. Although there are many sports, soccer is an ideal sport for children.
One reason is that soccer teaches teamwork. Each position has a specific job. Forwards
have the responsibility of scoring goals. The fullbacks’ job is defense, and the halfbacks assist
both forwards and fullbacks. Defense of the goal is the duty of the goalie. In order to win all must
do their jobs well and rely on each other for help.
Certainly, team sports can intimidate children. Some children may be physically smaller
than others. Age group teams are meant to solve this problem, but it is not unusual to see large
differences of height and weight in children of the same age. Others may not be as athletic as
other team members. Children are particularly sensitive about how they compare to their peers.
When they cannot run as fast as other team members or are not as agile, they fear ridicule.
However, learning to work as part of a team is essential to success in many other areas.
Children have to learn to cooperate both at school and home. In school students are expected to
work together without conflict. Many teachers use cooperative groups to teach. At home children
are expected to be part of the family team and help with chores that need to be done. When they
are older, these children may have a job that requires teamwork. Only rarely does a person work
in job that does not require working with others. Office workers have to work together to
accomplish the tasks given to them. Construction workers have to be part of a team effort to
finish buildings on time and on budget.
Therefore, parents should encourage their children to play soccer. While some children
may feel intimidated at the beginning, by learning to be part of a team, they will be preparing
themselves for future success.
Evaluate
•
•
•
•
•
A clear thesis statement?
Obvious organization?
Strong transitions?
Specific examples & evidence?
A memorable conclusion?
EXIT CARD!
• What are the 5 parts of a persuasive
essay?
• Thesis, argument, counter- argument,
rebuttal, and conclusion
• Give examples of transitions for each part:
Write a Persuasive Essay
• Your are told that you can can go on a
field trip in the area. In order to do this,
you must write a letter or an essay
explaining why you have chosen the best
place to visit. Give convincing reasons to
support your opinion and address the
concerns of those who would argue
against your position. Use specific details.
Outline
Thesis =
argument
counter
Reason/Fact/Detail
Reason/Fact/Detail
rebuttal Reason/Fact/Detail
Conclusion
elaborate
elaborate
elaborate
Step 1:
Instructions:
Step 2
Think of a topic that
is important to you
Examples:
1.Should students be allowed to have cell phones in elementary and high schools?
2.Should students have to wear uniforms?
3.Should college athletes be paid for playing?
4.Should the voting age be lowered to thirteen?
5.Should the driving age be raised to twenty-one?
6.Should students be paid for having good grades?
7.Should students’ textbooks be replaced by notebook computers?
8.Should schools raise money by selling candy and sugary soft drinks to students?
9.Should schools serve french-fries and fried potato products to students at lunch?
10.Should girls be allowed to play on boys sports teams?
11.Should boys and girls be in separate classes?
12.Should people who download music and movies illegally be punished?
13.Should school athletes have to be on the honor roll to play in Tournaments?
14.Should schools offer fast food options like McDonalds or Taco Bell?
15.Should smoking be allowed at parks and other outdoor public venues?
16.Should cities offer free public Wi-Fi?
17.Should the government place a tax on junk food and fatty snacks?
18.Should people travelling in airplanes have to undergo intensive security screenings?
19.Should restaurants be allowed to sell genetically modified chickens under the name “chicken”?
20.Should people be allowed to keep exotic animals like chimpanzees or tigers?
21.Should larger passengers have to pay for two plane or movie theater tickets?
22.Should people have to get a license to become parents?
23.Should there be tougher federal restrictions for content on the internet?
24.Should people be allowed to curse on daytime television?
25.Should sexual education be taught in public schools?
26.Should students who commit cyberbullying be suspended from school?
27.Should corporations be allowed to advertise in schools?
28.Should students be allowed to eat during class?
29.Should more be done to protect and preserve endangered animals?
30.Is it appropriate for students and teachers to be friends on Facebook?
31.Should students have open campus lunch periods?
32.Should the death penalty be used to punish violent criminals?
33.Should students learn about world religions in public schools?
34.Should schools start later in the morning?
35.Should scientists be allowed to test products intended for human use on animals?
36.Should people be allowed to keep pit-bull dogs?
37.Should there be an ordinance citing people who fail to recycle $50?
38.Should there be an ordinance citing people who play music too loudly $50?
39.Should celebrities who break the law face stricter penalties?
Step 3
BRAINSTORM
MAKE A LIST OF
BOTH
THE PRO’S AND CON’S!
Step 4
In a single sentence, state your proposal or position. What’s the main idea that you’re
trying to get across to your audience? What do you want the reader to agree to?
When thinking about your thesis statement you should consider the following:
Make it a straightforward simple sentence
Be sure you believe in it.
Make sure it’s not too broad!
Thesis Statement Example:
Prompt: Convince your reader whether school uniforms should be mandatory in
public schools.
Weak Thesis Examples:
Too broad: It is outrageous for students to be forced to wear school uniforms.
Too narrow: Students who are forced to wear school uniforms have their creativity stifled.
Off topic: When kids grow up, they will have bad memories of school.
Strong Thesis Example:
School uniforms should not be mandatory in public schools because it would stifle
students’ creativity, take away students’ rights, and cause students to lose interest in
school.
Thesis Statement Generators:
http://www.mpcfaculty.net/molly_may/thesis_generator.html
http://www.ozline.com/electraguide/thesis.php
*REMEMBER THAT YOU CAN CHANGE THIS LATER IF YOU NEED TO!
Step 5
Organize and
Outline your Ideas
Transition
Word:
Body Paragraph #1 (Argument One)
Body Paragraph #2 (Argument Two)
-Topic Sentence (outline argument tied to thesis statement)
--Support your argument with facts, examples, statistics,
and/or anecdotes.
--“So What”; analysis. Explain why your argument matters.
--Topic Sentence (outline argument tied to thesis statement)
--Support your argument with facts, examples, statistics,
and/or anecdotes.
--“So What”; analysis. Explain why your argument matters .
_
_
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
Transition
Word:
Body Paragraph # 3
(Counter-argument & rebuttal)
--Topic Sentence (outline counter-argument)
--Support* the counter-argument with facts, examples,
statistics, and/or anecdotes. *Don’t support it too well. You
have to be able to rebut it.
--Rebuttal: knock down the counter-argument. Don’t give it a
chance to put doubt in your readers’ minds.
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
Transition
Word:
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
INTRODUCTION:
--Lead/Hook
--Preview/History argument one and argument two
--Thesis (Focus) Statement (this is the “glue” that holds your essay
together)
__________________________
__________________________
CONCLUSION
--Restate your thesis statement (use different words)
--Review argument one and argument two; review with your reader
what they’ve learned.
--Clincher/Reflective parting words: leave them with something to think
about.
__________________________
__________________________
Step 6
•
Write Your Essay
(Introduction, Body,
Counterarguement
Paragraphs, Conclusion)
Step 7
•
REVISE
(Self Edit)
Step 8
•
Proof Read and
Edit
(Peer Edit)
Step 10
•
Write your Essay
(Self Edit)
Step 10
•
TYPE YOUR
ESSAY
(computer lab!)
Step 10
•
Read your Essay
one more time
before you submit
it!