GHSWT Preparation

GHSWT PreparationPersuasive EssayIn writing a persuasive essay, you build an argument, supporting your opinions with a variety of concrete details (evidence):FactsStatisticsExamplesAnecdote: a personal story used to prove a pointStatements from expertsYou also anticipate and develop counter-arguments to opposing opinionsExamine the Prompt!Before you begin planning your essay, you must identify:The issueThe descriptive setup (background info)Writers purpose and writing task (what side will you take?)4. Form (letter, speech, essay, etc.)5. Audience (who will you convince?)Directions for WritingWriting SituationSample PromptWriting Situation:Recently, a student in New Mexico wanted to wear traditional Native American dress over her cap and gown for her high school graduation. The school district refused to grant her request. Should students be required to wear a cap and gown to participate in graduation ceremonies? Should they be permitted to add other items of clothing to their cap and gown? Think carefully about your position on this issue.Writing Directions: Write a letter to the district school board members in which you clearly assert your position on the cap and gown requirement. Try to convince the board members to agree with you by using well-developed arguments.RememberYou MUST choose a side of the argument and defend the same side throughout your paper

Pre-write before you begin your essay. Write a rough draft and a finished draft. Planning is key to a well-written essay

You MAY make up facts or anecdotes to support your argument (as long as theyre believable!)BrainstormingT-Chart Idea Web NotesReason forWhyReason forWhyReason againstWhyWhat NOT To DoStray from the topicRepeat the same words, ideas, and sentencesWrite too littlemust be at least 2 pagesList ideas without development and/or organizationShould You Play It Safe?NO!The graders are trained to evaluate how much the student has demonstratednot to count errorsMore difficult words and lengthy sentences are scored higher than simple onesScoringIdeas

40%Style

20%Conventions

20%Organization

20%Introduction Paragraph: The FunnelEffective Ways to Open a PaperA surprising fact or quotationExample: Fifty percent of children in America are obese. A question about the issue (followed by an answer to the question). The question should not contain you.Example: Is it ever acceptable for a doctor to end a patients life? In certain extreme cases, absolutely.A personal story or anecdote related to the topicExample: My friend, Juliana Smith, lay in a coma surrounded and supported by machines, wires, IV drips, nurses, doctors and loved onesfor three years. Finally, her parents, on the advice of Julianas surgeons and specialists, decided toA vivid description of somethingExample: A description of a fatal car crash caused by texting and driving.Thesis: (1) take a side on the issue and (2) give broad reasons whyNow its your turnUsing the graduation dress prompt and your notes, compose an introductory paragraph for an essay.Your introductory paragraph should contain1. An attention getter2. Background information on the issue (which you will find in the prompt).3. ThesisBody Paragraph: You should have one body paragraph for each reason in your thesis.High school graduation is, perhaps, the most important day in the life of a young person a day he has worked diligently toward and a day on which his individuality should be celebrated. And nothing stifles that individuality like requiring students to wear solemn black robes and hats. Yet even now, not all students look the same in this rather boring attire. Some students are allowed to assert their personalities by wearing honor cords for certain societies and clubs while others wear shawls denoting that they are graduating with honors. If these students are granted this privilege of individuality, why should it not be afforded to every student? All students are special in their own way and should not be penalized because their individuality is not recognized by a school-sponsored organization. For example, the student in New Mexico was proud of her Native American heritage and wished to show that pride on the most important day of her young life; however, she was denied this right because her individuality was seemingly too unique and not school-sponsored. A student should have the right to express her individuality at her high school graduation. 15Now its your turnChoose one reason from your thesis and write a body paragraph using the following form:

1. Topic Sentence2. Concrete Detail (anecdote, fact, statistic, experts quote)3. Two sentences of Commentary (Explain why the CD is important).4. Another Concrete Detail5. Two sentences of Commentary for the 2nd CD6. Conclusion sentence (restate the topic of the paragraph)Conclusion ParagraphRestate your thesis17Effective Ways to End a Paper (Clinchers)Statement of opinionExample: Childhood obesity is an epidemic in the United States and must be remedied soon.Resolution of controversy (how can it be solved)Call to actionExample: It is every parents responsibility to encourage his or her child to leave the couch and video games behind and to play outside and participate in sports. A question (avoid using you). You do not need to answer the question in your conclusion (this is for your reader to do)Use of famous quotation and explanation of how it applies to your topicAnecdote or story that demonstrates your point

18Now its your turnTurn your thesis into multiple sentences (One sentence stating your opinion and one sentence for each reason).Use one of the clinchers we have just discussed to conclude your essay.

Things to RememberHave a clear thesis (usually the last sentence of your introductory paragraph).Know your audience and your format Its a persuasive essaychoose a side and stick with it!Relate the topic to yourself somehow (anecdotes)Restate the background from the prompt in your introductionBe sure to have an introduction and a conclusionStay on topic! Dont digress (tell pointless stories).Proofread!Make your essay legible (if it cant be read, it cant be scored)If you need to correct something, make one line through itDont skip lines between paragraphs (but indent each paragraph)Dont use slangUse big words (correctly)