Persuasive Prompt Type #1:
Persuasive Stance/Claim
• Definition: The traditional AGREE/
DISAGREE persuasive essay question.
• Example: Many people believe that
television violence has a negative effect
on society because it promotes violence.
Do you agree or disagree? Use specific
reasons and examples to support your
response.
Persuasive Prompt Type #2:
“Persuasatory”
• Definition: The less concrete, less black/white
essay question where you do not have to
outright agree or disagree with an issue or
position.
Example : Many students would like to
volunteer in their communities during their
summer breaks. Are there any volunteering
opportunities in your community? Write a
multi-paragraph letter to a community
leader persuading them to have you as
their summer volunteer.
Persuasive Stance OR Persuasatory?
1. Some people believe that personal
electronic devices, such as
smartphones, etc., should not be
allowed in classrooms. What is your
stand on this issue? Write a letter to
your principal persuading him/her to
agree with your position…
2. We all have favorite activities that we
enjoy. Write an essay convincing
readers to try the activity that you
enjoy most…
Persuasive Introductions
EXAMPLES of Strategies
Persuasive Introductions
• *Taking a Stand* (Making a Claim)
• Scenarios & Anecdotes
• Inquiry/Questioning
• Preparatory Information/Overview
Taking a Stand
• For ALL persuasive essays, your goal
is to include 3 Reasons Why your
opinion is RIGHT or BEST in your
THESIS STATEMENT (which is located
in your introductory paragraph).
These three supporting reasons can
then transfer over one-by-one to
each body paragraph.
Taking a Stand
Persuasive STANCE Thesis Statement Practice
 Finish the following thesis statement by filling in
something for each blank reason space on your
handout:
– “I agree that all school water
fountains should be filled with
_____________________, because…
• reason #1 ___________________________,
• reason #2 ________________________, and
• reason #3 ___________________________.
Taking a Stand
PERSUASATORY Thesis Statement Practice:
 Finish the following thesis statement by filling
in something for each blank reason space on
your handout:
– “You should pick ME to be in your
new reality TV show, because…
• reason #1 ___________________________,
• reason #2 ________________________, and
• reason #3 ___________________________.
Persuasive Body Paragraphs
EXAMPLES of Strategies
Persuasive Body Paragraphs
• Persuasive Language
• Expert Testimony
• Cause/Effect
• Concession/Rebuttal
• Compromise/Problem Solving
• Facts/Statistics
• Anecdotes
Persuasive Language
• It’s all about VOICE:
– HOW you say it—emotion words, repetition, etc.
• Think POLITICAL SPEECHES and you are on the
right track!
– “I have a dream…”
– Any chance you remember any WORDS associated
with Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign??
• HOPE
• CHANGE
• Yes We Can
Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address
• "Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth
on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty and
dedicated to the proposition that all men are created
equal. Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation or any nation so conceived
and so dedicated can long endure. We are met on a great battlefield of that war. We have come to dedicate a
portion of that field as a final resting-place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is
altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. But in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate, we cannot
consecrate, we cannot hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead who struggled here have
consecrated it far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note nor long remember what
we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living rather to be dedicated here to the
unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here
dedicated to the great task remaining before us--that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to
we here highly
resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain, that
this nation under God shall have a new birth of freedom,
and that government of the people, by the people, for the
people shall not perish from the earth."
that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion--that
• HINT: Repetition in THREES is a POWERFUL persuasive
AND story-telling tool!
Expert Testimony
• Voices of Authority:
–“As Dr. Seuss on the board of
the National Pediatrics
Foundation states…”
–“The First Amendment of our
Bill of Rights declares…”
Know
these
and use
them!!!
What does elaboration look like?
• Phrases that add information and details
through the following: STATISTICS and FACTS
- the numbers or data that help support your
idea.
Mom, did you know
that 98% of all my
friends get to stay up
until 1:00 AM on
weekends?
Lesson 1
Well Son, did you know
that 3 out of 4 parents
would have grounded
you for staying out so
late?
Develop your point with
facts and statistics.
Student Sample
Another craze to sweep
America was the gluten-free diet.
It was reported in the newspaper
after the last holiday season that
67% of all Americans were GF
dieting. Let me tell you the
personal impact that has had on
my family’s wheat farm here in
Washington.
Lesson 1
What does elaboration look like?
• Phrases that add information and details
through the following: ANECDOTE- an
anecdote is a small piece of a story inserted
into an essay that helps make the point. This
sounds like. . .
Once when I was in middle school,
the kids would
always. . .
Lesson 1
Hey, I remember the time when I had
to carry my . . .
Develop your point with an anecdote.
Student sample
You can’t give up, Jack. I
remember one time when I
played on the high school
baseball team. We were losing,
and it was the 8th inning.
Everyone was getting
discouraged, and then the coach
said, “BOYS! You’ve got to RALLY
here! Turn your ball caps
around and GET OUT THERE!”
So, son, turn your ball cap – I
mean ATTITUDE -- around and
get out there!
Lesson 1
Persuasive Conclusions
EXAMPLES of Strategies
Review: Conclusion Strategies
• Call to Action*************
• Offer a Solution
• Make a Prediction
Conclusions – *Call to Action*
• Include a final appeal to you
audience to reinforce your
argument.
• Clearly and forcefully state your
desired action.
• Give information needed to take
that recommended action.
Conclusions – Call to Action
student sample
Daily mandatory homework for high school
students would serve no real worthwhile purpose
but to unnecessarily stress out students and
teachers alike. Teachers and students are busy,
stressed, preoccupied, and quite frankly, strungout enough as it is without this. Please, I urge you
not to put this in effect. Not simply because I
don’t want homework for all seven classes every
day, but because it would truly be detrimental to
everyone actively participating in the public
school now and in the future.
Conclusions – *Call to Action*
• Sample phrasing:
– I urge you to meet me on the steps of the
capitol building at 7:00 Thursday night…
– I implore you…
– I appeal to you…
– I ask you…
– I request you…
– I demand you…
Conclusions – Offer a Solution
• Restate the problem.
• Define and develop the solution.
• Focus on the strengths of the solution.
• This strategy differs from a call to action.
– More of a recommendation
– Stresses the solution to a problem
Conclusions – Offer a Solution
student sample
According to high schools with the highest test scores
across the country, homework is only necessary when an
individual student doesn’t understand a concept or
needs additional practice. Therefore, mandatory
homework in every class would be meaningless. Instead,
teachers should assign homework on an individual basis.
This solution would provide students with needed
practice without needless busywork for students and
endless grading for teachers. When students work on
just their own weaknesses, rather than work assigned to
the whole class, they will quickly see improvement and
will be more motivated to stay in school.
Conclusions – Make a Prediction
• Takes the argument a step further than
a summary.
• Keeps the reader thinking after reading
your essay.
• Is based on the main points
(arguments), creating joy, hope, gloom,
suspense, etc.
• Draws reader’s attention to the
significance of the argument.
Conclusions – Make a Prediction
student sample
Imagine an empty classroom. As students
trickle in, without a word, they immediately take
out a piece of paper and a pencil to start writing
down today’s homework assignment. The teacher
walks to the front of the class to admire her
focused students as they work silently. Ring! Class
is in session. We can make this longed-for dream a
reality. Our high school’s motto has always been
“Be the Best You Can Be” and if the required
homework proposal is implemented, we really
would be.
• To receive a PASSING score on
a persuasive essay, you are
required to:
 TAKE A STAND in your
introductory paragraph; and
 Make a CALL TO ACTION in
your concluding paragraph!