The The Persuasive Persuasive IntroductioIntroductio

nn

Remember:Remember:Leave out “I think,” “maybe,” and any Leave out “I think,” “maybe,” and any

other words that make you sound other words that make you sound uncertain.uncertain.

Consider the format of the question. Consider the format of the question. For this one, a persuasive essay, you For this one, a persuasive essay, you should pick ONE side and stick with it. should pick ONE side and stick with it.

This is a FORMAL essay. Refrain from This is a FORMAL essay. Refrain from using slang terms and informal using slang terms and informal words/phrases.words/phrases.

Don’t tell me that you are going to tell Don’t tell me that you are going to tell me the reasons why you feel the way me the reasons why you feel the way you do regarding a topic. JUST SAY IT!you do regarding a topic. JUST SAY IT!

Scenario 1:Scenario 1:You’re thinking about buying a used You’re thinking about buying a used

car. The salesman Jeff wants to car. The salesman Jeff wants to PERSUADE you to purchase the car. PERSUADE you to purchase the car. Jeff says, “It might be a good car Jeff says, “It might be a good car because it is kind of new, but it because it is kind of new, but it could also be a bad car to buy could also be a bad car to buy because it has a lot of miles and because it has a lot of miles and there might be an oil leak.” Did Jeff there might be an oil leak.” Did Jeff effectively persuade you to buy that effectively persuade you to buy that car? NO!!car? NO!!

Scenario 2:Scenario 2:You are interviewing for a highly coveted You are interviewing for a highly coveted

job as a legal assistant at a prestigious job as a legal assistant at a prestigious law firm. During your interview, your law firm. During your interview, your employer asks why you want work for his employer asks why you want work for his company. You respond with, “I like the company. You respond with, “I like the company and stuff, but it would be really company and stuff, but it would be really awesome to make a lot of money so I awesome to make a lot of money so I could do lots of stuff like go to the mall, could do lots of stuff like go to the mall, hang with my crew, and buy some shoes hang with my crew, and buy some shoes and stuff.” Do you think you’d get the and stuff.” Do you think you’d get the job? NO!!! This response is too informal. job? NO!!! This response is too informal. Think of your AIMS writing as a job Think of your AIMS writing as a job interview. If you wouldn’t say it in an interview. If you wouldn’t say it in an interview, don’t write it on your paper!interview, don’t write it on your paper!

Thesis Thesis StatementStatementWhat is a thesis?What is a thesis?

A sentence that says what you A sentence that says what you believe and what you are going to believe and what you are going to prove.prove.

Purpose: keeps you focused.Purpose: keeps you focused.writing an essay without a thesis is writing an essay without a thesis is like driving in a new city without a like driving in a new city without a map or GPS.Where are you going? map or GPS.Where are you going? How will you get there? How will you get there?

Helps you identify supporting Helps you identify supporting evidence BEFORE you start evidence BEFORE you start writing. writing.

Thesis Thesis StatementStatementAKA “What you AKA “What you reallyreally

want to say about your want to say about your topic.” topic.”

Topic Topic

+ what you want to say + what you want to say about it about it

==

THESIS STATEMENT!THESIS STATEMENT!

It It IS…IS…

EXAMPLEEXAMPLETopic: Metal Topic: Metal detectors at detectors at schoolschoolOpinion: create Opinion: create hostile hostile environmentenvironmentThesis: Metal Thesis: Metal detectors in detectors in schools breed schools breed hostility between hostility between students and students and faculty members. faculty members.

Topic + opinion = Thesis

It It IS…IS…•Something arguable.

•One sentence.•An opinion.•Capable of being supported with arguments.

•EX: Joe Montana is the best NFL quarterback of all time.

•A statement of fact.•EX: Joe Montana played for the San Francisco 49ers.

•A simple value judgment.•EX: Joe Montana is a good football player.

It IS It IS NOT…NOT…

Persuasive Persuasive PromptPrompt

Do you agree or disagree that Do you agree or disagree that school uniforms should be school uniforms should be required?required?

Write a thesis for this prompt. Write a thesis for this prompt.

Complete the persuasion map with Complete the persuasion map with the arguments you would use in the arguments you would use in an essay on this topic.an essay on this topic.

VideoVideoAs we watch the video, As we watch the video, complete the notes on your complete the notes on your handout. If you are unsure handout. If you are unsure about what to write, be sure about what to write, be sure to ask questions. You will to ask questions. You will need to know how to do this need to know how to do this later.later.

EngVidEngVid lesson on essay introductions lesson on essay introductions

QuizQuiz1)1) Name three of the five Name three of the five

“grabbers” that were talked “grabbers” that were talked about in the video.about in the video.

2)2) How many main ideas should How many main ideas should you have? What order should you have? What order should you put them in?you put them in?

3)3) In your own words, explain the In your own words, explain the three steps of forming an three steps of forming an effective thesis statement.effective thesis statement.

PracticePracticeOn the back of your handout, On the back of your handout,

organize an introduction for an organize an introduction for an essay response to this prompt: essay response to this prompt:

Technology is advancing rapidly. Technology is advancing rapidly. Do you agree or disagree that Do you agree or disagree that technology has improved your technology has improved your life? Write a persuasive essay in life? Write a persuasive essay in which you convince the reader of which you convince the reader of your position.your position.

(Look familiar?)(Look familiar?)