Persuasive Essay:
The Penny Debate….Yes or No?!?
Henry Wilson Memorial
6th grade: Mrs. Boden
Enterprise City:
Writer’s Workshop: Persuasive Essay
October 15, 2013
6th grade: Common Core Standards
 6.L.1: Demonstrate command of the conventions of
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standard English grammar and usage when writing or
speaking.
6.L.1.e: Conventions of Standard English: Recognize variations
from standard English in their own and others' writing and
speaking, and identify and use strategies to improve expression in
conventional language.
6.L.2:Demonstrate command of the conventions of
standard English capitalization, punctuation, and
spelling when writing.
6.L.2.a: Conventions of Standard English: Use punctuation
(commas, parentheses, dashes) to set off
nonrestrictive/parenthetical elements.
6.L.2.b: Conventions of Standard English: Spell correctly.
6th grade: Common Core Standards
 6.L.3: Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking,
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reading, or listening
6.L.3.a: Knowledge of Language: Choose language that expresses ideas
precisely and concisely, recognizing and eliminating wordiness and
redundancy.
6.L.3.b: Knowledge of Language: Maintain consistency in style and tone.
6.W.4: Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development,
organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
(Grade-specific expectations for writing types are defined in standards 1–3 above.)
6.W.5: With some guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and
strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting,
or trying a new approach.(Editing for conventions should demonstrate command of
Language standards 1–3up to and including grade 6 on page53.)
6.W.6: Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing as
well as to interact and collaborate with others; demonstrate sufficient command of
keyboarding skills to type a minimum of three pages in a single sitting.
6th grade: Common Core Standards
 6.W.9.b: Research to Build and Present Knowledge: Apply
grade 6 Reading standards to literary nonfiction (e.g., “Trace and
evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, distinguishing
claims that are supported by reasons and evidence from claims that
are not”).
 6.W.1: Write arguments to support claims with clear
reasons and relevant evidence.
 6.W.2.e: Text Types and Purposes: Establish and maintain a formal
style.
 6.W.2.f: Text Types and Purposes: Provide a concluding
statement or section that follows from the information
or explanation presented.
Persuasive Essay:
Opening Statement
 You already spend a lot of time trying to persuade your
parents or teachers to allow you to watch more TV or do
less homework.
 You encounter persuasive writing everyday. Whether it's
the radio announcer telling you why you should keep
listening to his station, a magazine article on your
favorite rock star, or even the President of the United
States giving the State of the Union address, persuasive
writing plays an important part in your everyday life.
Persuasive Essay:
Opening Statement
 Now you can use those same skills to write a persuasive
essay!
 With persuasive writing, the goal is to try and convince
people to agree with you.
 It is important to understand that persuasive writing
relies heavily on facts- not opinions.
Persuasive Essay:
Opening Mini Lessons
Mini Lesson 1:
Making Connections
Mini Lesson 2:
It’s a Fact
Persuasive Essay:
Prewriting Phase: Topic
 The purpose of writing a persuasive essay is to influence or
change a reader's thoughts or opinions on a particular topic.
The most successful persuasive writing is always well
planned. This planning should include:
1. Choosing a topic
2. Researching the topic thoroughly
3. Organizing the structure of the writing with
a graphic organizer
Persuasive Essay:
Prewriting Phase: Topic
The Penny Debate:
Should the United States Keep Making Pennies?
Yes?
or
No?
Persuasive Essay:
Prewriting Phase: Research
 Good research is critical to a successful persuasive
essay. You must have content to back up your
claims. Your claims must in turn be well
documented and elaborated.
 Be careful to take detailed notes as you record
information that documents both sides of the
issue.
Persuasive Essay:
Prewriting Phase: Research
 You will be referring to these notes as you begin to
organize and draft your paper.
 Once your research is complete, you'll want to
begin thinking through your process of
persuasion.
Persuasive Essay:
Prewriting Phase: Research
Should We Make Cents?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l70FEGY4zhc
Persuasive Essay:
Prewriting Phase: More Research
 Read the articles in the packet and highlight the
points you want to use in your persuasive essay.
 Look for the facts!
TIME FOR KIDS POLL:
Should the U.S. get rid of the penny?
Persuasive Essay:
Writing Phase: Organize & Draft
 Plan Your Structure! Your paper will need to
contain the following elements:
1. Opening/Introduction:
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In this area you will introduce your readers to the topic
and give a little background information
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It works well to state your topic in the form of a
question—Does the government have the right to tax
soda drinks and other unhealthy foods?
Persuasive Essay:
Writing Phase: Organize & Draft
1. Opening/Introduction:
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Be sure to state your position on the issue within the last
sentence of the paragraph
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In the opening, you want to pull the reader in and give
them a reason to keep reading
Persuasive Essay:
Writing Phase: Organize & Draft
2. Body:
- The body of your essay should contain at least three
paragraphs
- Each paragraph must state a different viewpoint on
your topic by providing connected facts that support
the viewpoint
Persuasive Essay:
Writing Phase: Organize & Draft
2. Body:
-Many of the best examples of persuasive writing save
the most compelling viewpoint for third body
paragraph leaving the reader with the strongest point
before closing
-The defense of your viewpoint must be supported
with evidence documented through your research
Persuasive Essay:
Writing Phase: Organize & Draft
2. Body (Transition Words):
- Within each paragraph you need to be sure to use
powerful transitional words and phrases as you
compare each point
* Note: Check back to the mini-lesson on transitional words and phrases
Persuasive Essay:
Writing Phase: Organize & Draft
3. Closing/Conclusion:
- Conclusion paragraph must state a counterpoint to
your viewpoint on the topic
- Provide an alternative fact to that viewpoint
- Summarize the arguments and close with a
powerful statement relating to your original stated
issue
Persuasive Essay:
Revision Phase: Revise
 Use the revision process to accomplish the following
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tasks:
Add additional information that may be needed to
better explain your view points
Rearrange existing information in a more logical
order that flows well
Remove unneeded information that may detract from
the overall message
Replace existing text with better wording or
descriptions
Persuasive Essay:
Revision Phase: Revise
 As you revise your work, ask yourself the following questions:
- Is my position on an issue is clearly stated and evident
throughout the work?
- Are my opinions clear and do my facts support my opinions?
- Does my information flow easily from one paragraph to another?
- Did I stay focused on my point of view throughout the writing?
- Did I save the most compelling or strongest point for the end of
the paper?
- Does my writing make sense? Am I convinced? Will my readers be
convinced?
- Did I repeat any words or phrases too often?
Persuasive Essay:
Revision Phase: Edit
 As you edit your work and your peers’ work with an
editing checklist remember:
- Organization
- Capitalization
- Punctuation
- Spelling and Sentences
Persuasive Essay:
Revision Phase: Review Editing
You're almost there! Use this step to make sure you've
done all you can to get it right. You've drafted, revised,
and edited your work. Now let's give it one more look.
 Check your work:
1. Read through your work from start to finish
2. Make any last minute changes
3. Go to a quiet place and read the entire paper out
loud… You'll be amazed at the number of changes
you make once you hear it out loud!
4. Meet with your teacher
Persuasive Essay:
Final Phase: Publish & Present