Persuasive writing
What is persuasive writing?
Persuasive writing is…
• An essay which tries to convince a
reader to believe what you believe
about a certain topic.
Some DOS and DON’Ts
Do:
Don’t:
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Divide into 5 paragraphs
Have a thesis statement in
your introduction
Come up with 3 main points to
support your argument—these
will be your 3 body paragraphs
Have a conclusion that
contains a clincher statement
Come up with a catchy title
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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”
Be wishy washy. Pick a side.
Forget to support your
opinions with facts and
example
Stages of writing
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Prewriting (brainstorming)
Rough draft (pencil)
Revising/editing
Final draft (in pen or word processor)
Brainstorming
• Use the Hamburger Model for
persuasive writing.
Hamburger Model for Persuasive Writing
Introduction
(State an Opinion)
REASON
REASON
REASON
Elaboration
Elaboration
Elaboration
Elaboration
Elaboration
Elaboration
Conclusion
Brainstorming
• Use the for Four Fold Method
for organizing the rough draft of
your persuasive piece.
Prewriting
Four fold method
1. Fold a sheet of white, unlined paper into four
equal squares.
2. Write a topic sentence in the middle of the
paper.
3. In three of the squares write a complete
sentence which states reasons, examples, or
explanations that support the sentence in the
center of the paper.
4. In the fourth box write a feeling sentence to
support the topic.
5. Then go back to each square and write in
several detail sentences about the first
sentence you wrote in the box.
6. Finally use your Four Square pre-writing to
write your story.
These are things that make
a fabulous persuasive essay
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A terrific title
A thought provoking thesis statement
An interesting introduction with a hook
3 banging body paragraphs with innovative
ideas
• Tremendous transition words between
paragraphs
• A killer conclusion with a clincher
statement
What is a thesis
statement?
• A thesis statement is one sentence
at the end of your introduction that
states your opinion. It needs to be
strong.
Which one is thought
provoking?
• 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.
An interesting
introduction with a hook
• 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:
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Anecdote
Riddles
Fragment technique
Quotations
Shocking statement
ANECDOTE
• 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.
Riddles
• Get your reader’s attention with a
challenging thought.
Example:
• 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!
Fragment technique
• Uses 3 short fragments to create an
image.
Example:
• A brand new fishing pole, a bucket of
worms, and a warm spring day! These
things were present on the day I caught a
record-breaking keeper.
Quotations
Examples:
• Conversational
“Mom, I’ve signed up to fight for my
country!”
• Famous Quote
"War is nothing without a solider to fight it."
- Unknown
Shocking statements
Provides statistics or facts that startles
readers to pull them into your story.
Example:
• Can you believe that over 90% of students
polled at our school are dissatisfied with
school lunch, but only 5% are willing to
pack their own lunches?
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.
Tremendous transition
words
• 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)
A killer conclusion with a
clincher statement
• Clincher statement is the last line of
your paper. It should almost shock
your reader
• Conclusion leaves a lasting
impression…
A killer conclusion with a
clincher statement
• 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 Baby Phat, Apple Bottom,
and FUBU.
A review…
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What are some dos?
What are some don’ts?
What are these things…
– A terrific title
– A thought provoking thesis statement
– An interesting introduction with a hook
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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
How will I be graded?
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On these four areas:
Style
Organization
Ideas
Conventions