Persuasive Writing
Counterpoint
Intro: thesis, captures readers’ attention,
list the three points/arguments supporting
your position
 Body: Each paragraph has a topic
sentence introducing the details, each
relates back to the thesis, each has a
transition.
 Conclusion: summarizes your position,
leaves reader with one last final
impression.
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Persuasive Essay - Review
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Evidence: You must
have FACTS in your
essay to support
your argument. You
can NOT make up
facts.
Facts have to come
from somewhere.
You need to cite
where you found
your facts.
Persuasive Essay
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Citing Facts
You cite the facts by
listing where you
found them.
For example:
About 1 million
people are cat
owners, according
to the website
www.cats.com
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At the end of your
essay – on a
SEPARATE SHEET
which is titled
“Works Cited” you
again list the web
site where you
found your
information. This
should be done in
alphabetical order.
Citing Facts
After presenting the
evidence (facts) which
support your argument you
need to tell the reader HOW
that fact supports your
argument.
 Example:
 Because so many people
own cats, that means cats
are the preferred animal of
choice in the United
States. Don’t be the only
person in the US to not
own a cat.
 (Note the use of
propaganda)
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Evidence
Use between paragraphs
so the readers know a
switch in thinking is
about to occur.
Transitions
 Some examples:
Also, Again, As well as,
besides, in addition,
likewise, accordingly, as a
result, For this reason, so
then, therefore, thus,
wherefore, as a rule, as
usual, for one thing, for
example.
 For more examples please
visit:
http://www.studygs.net/wr
tstr6.htm
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You need to think
ahead of what those
who disagree with
you would say.
You can use a
counter argument
in each paragraph
or save one of your
body paragraphs for
the counter
argument.
Counter Argument
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There are certain
phrases you must use
for the counter
argument to be
present (those
include):
Someone might object
It might seem that
Admittedly
But some people may say
But some people may think
Counter Argument
In the Counter
Argument you say what
you think someone
might say against your
argument (refute it)
 Although some people may
think cats aren’t the best pets,
they are wrong because cats
have shown again and again
how reliable they are.
 The paragraph would
continue to debunk the
idea that people think
cats aren’t the best
pets.
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Counter Argument
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You are convincing
someone that:
Students should have to wear
uniforms.
You will, on a piece of
paper,
◦ write down what you think
someone will say as an
objection to your point of
view.
◦ Refute that in a sentence.
“Some may think uniforms
are a bad idea because
_____________________,
but
_____________________
Assignment
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You are convincing
someone that:
People should NOT be
allowed to vote until they
are 21.
Write down:
◦ A possible counter
argument.
◦ A sentence that refutes a
potential counter argument
“While some think people
should be allowed to vote
before they are 21 because
________________, this is
a bad idea because
_____________________.
Assignment
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You are convincing
someone that:
Skittles are better
than M&Ms.
Write down:
◦ A possible counter
argument.
◦ A sentence that
refutes their counter.
Assignment
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You are convincing
someone that Justin
Bieber is the worst
pop singer of all
time.
◦ Write a potential
counter argument.
◦ Write a sentence that
refutes that counter
argument.
Assignment
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You are convincing
someone that
football is better
than baseball.
◦ Write a potential
counter argument.
◦ Write a sentence that
refutes that counter
argument.
Assignment
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Pick ONE of the previous
counter arguments and
write out the full
paragraph that refutes a
potential counter
argument.
You will be turning in all
the sentences and the
final paragraph.
Assignment
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Example:
While some people may
think cats aren’t the best
pets because they are
mean, they just haven’t
gotten a chance to get to
know a cat. Cats are
actually cuddly creatures
because they will curl up
on someone’s lap. But
what about their claws
when they kneed you,
someone might say. When
they use their claws it
shows you how much they
appreciate your time and
attention.
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You will now start
the process for
writing another
persuasive essay.
This time you will
be graded on:
◦ Counter argument
◦ Transitions
◦ Cited Facts
This is in addition to
the usual grading
requirements.
Assignment