Persuasive Essay
Objective:
To create a persuasive essay
Persuasive essay is…

An essay which tries to convince a reader
to believe what you believe about a certain
topic.
Main Structure

Introduction

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Body paragraph I
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Includes a reason supported by proof
Body paragraph II

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Includes a thesis statement that states your
opinion
Includes a reason supported by proof
Conclusion
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Clinches the reader
Introduction Thesis
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If the thesis is not a clear (wishy-washy)
statement of opinion you will have trouble
structuring an argument
Body Paragraphs
In a persuasive essay reasons are the whys that make-up
your argument.
Example:
Thesis statement: Broccoli should be banned from the
school cafeteria.
Reasons:
1. Nobody likes broccoli
2. Broccoli smells up the cafeteria
3. The school has no right to force
students to eat broccoli
Each reason will become the topic of a body paragraph.
The first sentence of each paragraph should state the
reason simply and clearly
Appeals to the facts

Facts, figures and statistics always look
impressive to readers.

Example 72% of all students in this school
agree that broccoli smells terrible.
Appeals to reason

When you don’t have facts at your disposal, you
can try to sway your audience with arguments
that will make logical sense to them.

Example:

Reason; Broccoli smells up the cafeteria.

Detail: If the cafeteria reeks of broccoli, aides will try to get
out of lunch duty and older students will stop using the
cafeteria completely. This can only hurt the school.
Appeals to emotion
This aims straight at people’s desires,
fears and prejudices.
 Use only if you do not have facts or the
facts are against you


Detail: It is child abuse to force children
against their will to eat and smell disgusting
food that they hate.
Once you have a topic…
You need to think it over and decide…
1. Purpose: Why am I writing this? This is
a persuasive essay so you are getting
someone else to think like you do.
2. Audience: You are writing to your
English/farmer teacher so you need to
use proper mechanics.
3. Structure: What structure should my
essay have? (4 paragraph format)
Please do not slaughter me!
Give two great reasons why one should not
eat turkey on Thanksgiving
examples:
fattening
Turkeys are injected with growth hormones
Tryptophan
Evidence

Using resources around you determine
factual reasons

Examples:



High in fat
Growth hormones
Tryptophan
Some DOS
Do
 Divide into 4 paragraphs
 Have a thesis in your intro
 Come up with two main points to support
your argument
 Have a conclusion that contains a clincher
sentence
 Come up with a catchy title
And DON’Ts
Don’t
 Begin with “hello my name is__ and I am
going to write about _____.”
 Take out the word I
 Be wishy washy. Pick a side
 Forget to support your opinions with facts
and examples
 Include dialogue
The wrap up

As a general guideline, when writing a
persuasive essay…
Have a firm opinion that you want your reader to
accept.
 Begin with a grabber or hook to get the reader’s
attention.
 Offer evidence to support your opinion.
 Try and think of rebuttal statements
 Conclude with a restatement of what you want the
reader to do or believe.

NOW
Make an outline of what you are about to write.

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Intro with thesis statement
Body I
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Body II
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Topic sentence
Evidence
Closer that clenches your idea
Topic sentence
Evidence
Closer that clenches your idea
Conclusion

Bring it home