Persuasive WritingAim: How can I write an effective persuasive essay?

Do Now: What is your experience with persuasive essays? Have you ever tried to convince someone to act a certain way or do something?What techniques did you use? What kind of argument did you make?

Persuasive WritingWrite opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons and information.

With guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach.

Report on a topic or text or present an opinion, sequencing ideas logically and using appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details to support main ideas or themes; speak clearly at an understandable pace.

Persuasive WritingBefore we start…We are going to have a little vote.Listen to me read two different sides of an argument (persuasively written).At the end, you will vote.

Should Schools Embrace “Bring Your Own

Device”?

Let’s Vote…After listening to each side of the debate, which would you agree with??

Persuasive WritingA type or style of writing that tries to convince a reader to do something or to believe what you believe about a certain topic.

Someone might take a stake or position for or against something.

Persuasive WritingBe clear about your purpose…Why are you writing?

To support a cause?To get people’s attention?To convince someone to do or not do something?Provoke a change?Generate interest in something?

What was the purpose of the papers I just read to you?

Persuasive Writing Tips – Don’ts

• DON’T Begin with “I am going to tell you” or “This is about”

• DON’T Use threats like “you should” or “you better”

• DON’T Use a lot of negative words• DON’T BEE too wordy

Persuasive Writing Tips – Do’s• Mix facts with your opinions (limit opinions)

• Use a “hook” to grab your reader’s attention

• Use many examples wherever you can

• Be organized and specific

• Use adjectives and robust vocabulary

• Use mature language

• Consider your audience – who will read/hear this?

• Final paragraph/statement should be powerful!

In what ways did the papers I read to

you use these techniques?

Persuasive Writing Tips – Do’s

What is a hook?!A hook is named for its ability to catch the reader’s attention and make the reader want to read on. Stories, news articles, and especially essays should begin with good hooks because a writer is often judged within the first couple of sentences.

A hook can be…-a shocking statement-a quote-a strongly stated fact -a funny/humorous statement or anecdote -a whimsical question or thought provoker

Persuasive Writing Tips – Do’sWhat is mature language?!You will be taken more seriously if you use language that is mature and sophisticated. This tip goes hand-in-hand with using facts. Stating facts makes your writing seem well thought-out and organized as well as well-researched. Remember, no one wants to side with someone who is yelling, whining, or complaining at them!

BEE confidentBEE professionalBEE calm and assertiveUse words that sound wise And BEEyond your years…. “Additionally” “Take into consideration…”

Persuasive Writing FormatHow should I structure it?!We will focus on a basic, five paragraph persuasive essay. It consists of three basic parts:

Hook/Intro (1 paragraph)

Grab the reader’s attention, keep them interested, and clearly state your side/opinion

Body (3 paragraphs)

Clearly make points and state facts that back up your reason for writing this paper in the first place. Use many details, examples, and convincing statements that back you up.

Conclusion (1 para)

Restate your opinion and position. Give the reader a brief gist but most importantly leave them with something to think about!

Persuasive Writing FormatDid the papers I read to you have a…Hook/Intro that is one paragraph?

Body with 3 paragraphs?

Conclusion that is one paragraph?

Dances with WolvesPersuasive Essay

Upon your return to Fort Sedgewick you have stumbled upon a detachment of the United States military, who is responsible for bringing to justice any “hostiles” on the frontier. The military have heard stories of violence and thievery attributed to the Plains Indians and it is their intention to bring these “savages” under control. It has therefore fallen upon your shoulders, Lieutenant John J. Dunbar, to persuade the United States military that the Sioux are not enemies of the state, but valued allies. If you fail in your efforts an entire people and its culture may be lost forever!

In a well-developed essay you must effectively persuade the United States government of the inherent benefits of a reciprocal relationship with the Sioux community. This essay must contain three positive attributes of the Sioux that must be supported using specific details from the film. This essay should be a minimum of five paragraphs in length.

Persuasive WritingIntroduction

A. Hook statement

B. Background information (2-3 sentences)

C. Thesis statement

Persuasive WritingThesis Statement

The introduction should also include a thesis or focus statement.

The thesis is your statement of purpose. The thesis should be one sentence in length. This is the foundation of your essay and it will serve to guide you in writing the entire paper.

There are three objectives of a thesis statement: 1. It tells the reader the specific topic of your essay. 2. It imposes manageable limits on that topic. 3. It suggests the organization of your paper.

Through the thesis, you should say to the reader: "I've thought about this topic, I know what I believe about it, and I know how to organize it.”

Persuasive WritingTOPIC SENTENCES

A topic sentence organizes and focuses the entire paragraph.

-A topic sentence is the first sentence of the paragraph.

Every sentence in the paragraph must relate to the topic sentence.

-There is no announcing in a topic sentence.

Persuasive WritingWhat does “Announcing” sound like?

-In this report, you will read….-This report is about…-This means…-My topic sentence is…-Do you believe…If not, listen to this report…ANYTHING ELSE LIKE THESE

Persuasive WritingBody Paragraph

Topic Sentence (supports the thesis statement):

A. Supporting detail #1 (supports the topic sentence) example #1 (supports detail #1) example #2 (supports detail #1)

B. Supporting detail #2 (supports the topic sentence) example #1 (supports detail #2) example #2 (supports detail #2)

C. Concluding statement (rephrase topic sentence)

Persuasive WritingConclusion

A. Rephrase thesis statement

B. Summarize main ideas (combine and reword topic sentences)

C. Final statement-this should be impactful and powerful

Persuasive WritingRough Draft…Hook/Intro (1 para) Body (1-3 para) Conclusion (1 para)

This is an introduction paragraph. It should start with a hook. This paragraph should explain your position on whatever you are writing about. Be clear and focused. Get me to want to read on. .

This should be three paragraphs. I should detect lots of details and examples as well as elaborations. It should be thoughtful and follow all of the steps of persuasive writing. Consider each sentence before writing it and make sure that it flows. Make sure that is supports your position. Don’t whine, complain, or make false promises. Use mature language and follow all of the “do” tips. You might have some research included here.

Write your conclusion. Leave me with a provocative thought. I should hear your position repeated. Make your last paragraph just as strong as your first. Don’t be too short or too long…make sure it’s just right!

Persuasive WritingEdit and Revise…Follow normal rules. Also, reread your piece several times while considering the “do’s” and “don’ts.”

REVISING ___Is into interesting? Hook?___Do I have an interesting conclusion?___Are there some parts that I could take out?___Are there parts that don’t make sense?___Could I combine any of the sentences?___Did I use robust vocabulary?___Did I stay on topic?___Is the writing well organized?___Is this my best work?

EDITING ___Did I reread my work a few times?___Have I checked spelling?___Do I have punctuation?___Have I used capitals when needed?

• DON’T Begin with “I am going to tell you” or “This is about”

• DON’T Use threats like “you should” or “you better”

• DON’T Use a lot of negative words• DON’T BEE too wordy

• Mix facts with your opinions (limit opinions)• Use a “hook” to grad your reader’s attention• Use many examples wherever you can• Be organized and specific• Use adjectives and robust vocabulary• Use mature language• Consider your audience – who will read/hear this?• Final paragraph/statement should be

powerful!

Persuasive WritingFinal Copy…Before publishing a final copy, reread several times.

This is an introduction paragraph. It should start with a hook. This paragraph should explain your position on whatever you are writing about. Be clear and focused. Get me to want to read on. .

This should be three paragraphs. I should detect lots of details and examples as well as elaborations. It should be thoughtful and follow all of the steps of persuasive writing. Consider each sentence before writing it and make sure that it flows. Make sure that is supports your position. Don’t whine, complain, or make false promises. Use mature language and follow all of the “do” tips. You might have some research included here.

Write your conclusion. Leave me with a provocative thought. I should hear your position repeated. Make your last paragraph just as strong as your first. Don’t be too short or too long…make sure it’s just right!