Persuasive EssayPersuasive Essay

Objective:Objective:To create a persuasive essay To create a persuasive essay

Persuasive essay is…Persuasive essay is…An essay which tries to convince a reader An essay which tries to convince a reader

to believe what you believe about a certain to believe what you believe about a certain topic.topic.

Main StructureMain Structure IntroductionIntroduction

Includes a thesis statement that states your Includes a thesis statement that states your opinionopinion

Body paragraph IBody paragraph I Includes a reason supported by proofIncludes a reason supported by proof

Body paragraph IIBody paragraph II Includes a reason supported by proofIncludes a reason supported by proof

ConclusionConclusionClinches the readerClinches the reader

Introduction ThesisIntroduction Thesis If the thesis is not a clear (wishy-washy) If the thesis is not a clear (wishy-washy)

statement of opinion you will have trouble statement of opinion you will have trouble structuring an argumentstructuring an argument

Body ParagraphsBody ParagraphsIn a persuasive essay reasons are the whys that make-up In a persuasive essay reasons are the whys that make-up

your argument.your argument.

Example:Example:Thesis statement:Thesis statement: Broccoli should be banned from the Broccoli should be banned from the

school cafeteria.school cafeteria.Reasons:Reasons: 1. Nobody likes broccoli 1. Nobody likes broccoli

2. Broccoli smells up the cafeteria2. Broccoli smells up the cafeteria3. The school has no right to force 3. The school has no right to force students to eat broccoli students to eat broccoli

Each reason will become the topic of a body paragraph. Each reason will become the topic of a body paragraph. The first sentence of each paragraph should state the The first sentence of each paragraph should state the reason simply and clearlyreason simply and clearly

Appeals to the factsAppeals to the factsFacts, figures and statistics always look Facts, figures and statistics always look

impressive to readers.impressive to readers.

Example 72% of all students in this school Example 72% of all students in this school agree that broccoli smells terrible.agree that broccoli smells terrible.

Appeals to reasonAppeals to reason When you don’t have facts at your disposal, you When you don’t have facts at your disposal, you

can try to sway your audience with arguments can try to sway your audience with arguments that will make logical sense to them.that will make logical sense to them.

Example: Example: Reason; Broccoli smells up the cafeteria.Reason; Broccoli smells up the cafeteria.

Detail: If the cafeteria reeks of broccoli, aides will try to get Detail: If the cafeteria reeks of broccoli, aides will try to get out of lunch duty and older students will stop using the out of lunch duty and older students will stop using the cafeteria completely. This can only hurt the school.cafeteria completely. This can only hurt the school.

Appeals to emotionAppeals to emotionThis aims straight at people’s desires, This aims straight at people’s desires,

fears and prejudices.fears and prejudices.Use only if you do not have facts or the Use only if you do not have facts or the

facts are against youfacts are against you

Detail: It is child abuse to force children Detail: It is child abuse to force children against their will to eat and smell disgusting against their will to eat and smell disgusting food that they hate.food that they hate.

Once you have a topic…Once you have a topic…

You need to think it over and decide…You need to think it over and decide…1.1. Purpose: Why am I writing this? This is Purpose: Why am I writing this? This is

a persuasive essay so you are getting a persuasive essay so you are getting someone else to think like you do.someone else to think like you do.

2.2. Audience: You are writing to your Audience: You are writing to your English/farmer teacher so you need to English/farmer teacher so you need to use proper mechanics.use proper mechanics.

3.3. Structure: What structure should my Structure: What structure should my essay have? (4 paragraph format)essay have? (4 paragraph format)

Please do not slaughter me!Please do not slaughter me!

Give two great reasons why one should not Give two great reasons why one should not eat turkey on Thanksgivingeat turkey on Thanksgiving

examples:examples:

fatteningfatteningTurkeys are injected with growth hormonesTurkeys are injected with growth hormones

TryptophanTryptophan

EvidenceEvidenceUsing resources around you determine Using resources around you determine factualfactual reasons reasons Examples:Examples:

High in fatHigh in fat Growth hormonesGrowth hormones TryptophanTryptophan

Some DOSSome DOS

DoDoDivide into 4 paragraphsDivide into 4 paragraphsHave a thesis in your introHave a thesis in your introCome up with two main points to support Come up with two main points to support

your argumentyour argumentHave a conclusion that contains a clincher Have a conclusion that contains a clincher

sentencesentenceCome up with a catchy titleCome up with a catchy title

And DON’TsAnd DON’Ts

Don’tDon’tBegin with “hello my name is__ and I am Begin with “hello my name is__ and I am

going to write about _____.”going to write about _____.”Take out the word I Take out the word I Be wishy washy. Pick a sideBe wishy washy. Pick a sideForget to support your opinions with facts Forget to support your opinions with facts

and examplesand examples Include dialogueInclude dialogue

The wrap upThe wrap upAs a general guideline, when writing a As a general guideline, when writing a

persuasive essay…persuasive essay…Have a firm opinion that you want your reader to Have a firm opinion that you want your reader to

accept.accept.Begin with a grabber or hook to get the reader’s Begin with a grabber or hook to get the reader’s

attention.attention.Offer evidence to support your opinion.Offer evidence to support your opinion.Try and think of rebuttal statementsTry and think of rebuttal statementsConclude with a restatement of what you want the Conclude with a restatement of what you want the

reader to do or believe.reader to do or believe.

NOWNOW

Make an outline of what you are about to write.Make an outline of what you are about to write. Intro with thesis statementIntro with thesis statement Body IBody I

Topic sentenceTopic sentence EvidenceEvidence Closer that clenches your ideaCloser that clenches your idea

Body IIBody II Topic sentenceTopic sentence EvidenceEvidence Closer that clenches your ideaCloser that clenches your idea

ConclusionConclusion Bring it homeBring it home