Personal Persuasive Essay

1. Personal Persuasive Essay Because Your Opinion Matters!

2. Personal Persuasive Essay • An essay consists of three parts: • An introduction • 3 body paragraphs • With evidence from your own life • A conclusion

3. Personal Persuasive Essay • In the personal persuasive, you’re trying to write about something from your own life: something/someone you like or something/someone you dislike. • In other words, the evidence is going to come from your own memories.

4. Outlining The Essay

5. Outlining The Essay Students crying. Mountains of homework. Heaps of unfairness. This is what happens in Mr. Chapman’s class. Mr. Chapman is the worst teacher in the world for many reasons: he locks kids in the closet, he gives too much homework, and he plays favorites with his students. One reason Mr. Chapman’s the worst teacher is that he locks kids in the closet. For example, one time Justin sneezed without covering his mouth and Mr. Chapman locked him in the closet with no food or water. Another time Antonio dropped his pencil and he was sentenced to three hours in the closet. Finally, when someone mentioned Justin Bieber she got locked in the closet all day. Another reason Mr. Chapman’s the worst teacher is that he gives too much homework. One time, for example, he gave twelve hours of reading in one night. Another time he gave us so many books to read that Vasilios collapsed from all the weight in his backpack. Finally, he makes us write four hundred pages a week in our writer’s notebooks! Lastly, Mr. Chapman’s the worst teacher because he plays favorites with his students. For example, one time he gave Ryan twenty gold cards because he said “bless you,” but he took away all of Daniel’s when he didn’t say “bless you” loud enough. Another time he made Isadora stand on one foot the whole class because she read only 44 minutes, but when Paloma read only 30 minutes he gave her a homework coupon. In conclusion, Mr. Chapman is the worst teach in the world because he throws kids in the closet, he gives way too much homework, and he’s unfair to students. He needs to be fired right away.

6. Outlining the Essay Students crying. Mountains of homework. Heaps of unfairness. This is what happens in Mr. Chapman’s class. Mr. Chapman is the worst teacher in the world for many reasons: he locks kids in the closet, he gives too much homework, and he plays favorites with his students. One reason Mr. Chapman’s the worst teacher is that he locks kids in the closet. For example, one time Justin sneezed without covering his mouth and Mr. Chapman locked him in the closet with no food or water. Another time Antonio dropped his pencil and he was sentenced to three hours in the closet. Finally, when someone mentioned Justin Bieber she got locked in the closet all day. Another reason Mr. Chapman’s the worst teacher is that he gives too much homework. One time, for example, he gave twelve hours of reading in one night. Another time he gave us so many books to read that Vasilios collapsed from all the weight in his backpack. Finally, he makes us write four hundred pages a week in our writer’s notebooks! Lastly, Mr. Chapman’s the worst teacher because he plays favorites with his students. For example, one time he gave Ryan twenty gold cards because he said “bless you,” but he took away all of Daniel’s when he didn’t say “bless you” loud enough. Another time he made Isadora stand on one foot the whole class because she read only 44 minutes, but when Fatama read only 30 minutes he gave her a homework coupon. Finally, he gave Francesca ten hours of detention when she got out of her seat, but when Jacob danced on the tables, he just clapped and laughed. In conclusion, Mr. Chapman is the worst teacher in the world because he throws kids in the closet, he gives way too much homework, and he’s unfair to students. He needs to be fired right away!

7. The Thesis • The thesis is what your essay will be about. It usually goes at the end of the introduction (the 1st paragraph). • Potential theses (your reasons are in blue): • I love summer because of x, y, and z. • I don’t like winter because of x, y, and z. • My mom is amazing because of x, y, and z. • Cockroaches are evil because of x, y, and z.

8. Your Reasons • Your reasons explain why your thesis is true or why you believe it. • Thesis: I am amazing. • Reasons: • I can run faster than you. • I can jump higher than you. • I can fly. • Thesis: I love winter. • Reasons: • We get lots of vacation. • I get to go sledding. • I don’t sweat that much. WHY do you love winter? WHY are you so amazing?

9. Your Evidence • Your evidence proves your reason. • Ex. One reason I’m amazing is that I’m faster than you. • For example, in 1st grade I beat you in the race to the tree and back. • In 4th grade, I beat you in the race to the last Super Smash Brothers game. You fell and cried. • When we were running from that mutant lion-bear-dinosaur in 5th grade, I got away, but you got eaten because you were too slow. PROVE IT!

10. Your essay is like a building • If you don’t have strong evidence, it will collapse. If it’s not organized well (like a blueprint), it will collapse. • Your thesis is like your Penthouse at the top. Everything below supports it. • Your reasons are like the floors of your building.

11. I love traveling because I get to meet amazing new people, I get to see cool places, and I get to learn about new languages and cultures. Reason 1: I get to meet amazing new people Evidence 1A Evidence 1B Evidence 1C Reason 2: I get to see cool places. Evidence 2A Evidence 2B Evidence 2C Reason 3: I get to learn amazing languages and cultures. Evidence 3A Evidence 3B Evidence 3C

12. At the border of Cambodia, for example, I met Joe, Bethan and Sinead and had a great time with them over the next few days. They’re still my good friends. Reason #1: I get to meet amazing new people. In Florence, I met Chad and Marianna. We hung around the city, visiting the ancient buildings together and enjoying each other’s company. This past summer, I met Emily and Tracy in Kenya, and we had so much fun together on safari and volunteering.

13. Adding Evidence

14. Your Evidence • Your evidence proves your reason. • One reason my pet cockroach is the coolest pet in the world is that he cooks for me all the time. • At least three specific examples of how he has cooked for you. • A second reason I love homework is because it makes me smarter. • At least three specific examples of how homework has made you smarter. • Another reason my brother is annoying is because he steals my things. • At least three specific times your brother has stolen your things. • One reason I love traveling is because I get to meet tons of people. • At least three specific times I’ve met cool people.

15. Your Evidence • Your evidence proves your reason. • Two types of evidence: • Evidence that happened just one time. • Evidence that happens all the time.

16. Your Evidence Evidence that happened just once: -The time you met Bob the Jerk at the park. -The time your cockroach cooked fried crickets for you on your 10thbirthday. -The time Mr. Chapman got his head bitten off by a dragon. Evidence that happens often: -Every day last year my dog helped carry my books to class. -Every Sunday my dad cooks a five-course dinner for me and my seventy-three brothers and sisters. It takes him twelve hours to do! -Almost every day, my sister picks her nose and eats it. One time in particular she did it in front of my friends during my birthday party just to gross them out!

17. Potential Body Paragraph One reason I love to travel is that I get to meet amazing people. For example, at the border of Cambodia I met Joe, Bethan and Sinead and had a great time with them over the next few days. They’re still my good friends. In Florence, I also met Chad and Marianna. We hung around the city, visiting the ancient buildings together and enjoying each other’s company. In addition, three summers ago, I met Emily and Tracy in Kenya, and we had so much fun together on safari and volunteering. Finally, this past summer I met Alicia, Stephanie and Stuart in Auckland, New Zealand.

18. Potential Body Paragraph One reason I love to travel is that I get to meet amazing people. For example, at the border of Cambodia I met Joe, Bethan and Sinead and had a great time with them over the next few days. They’re still my good friends. In Florence, I also met Chad and Marianna. We hung around the city, visiting the ancient buildings together and enjoying each other’s company. In addition, three summers ago, I met Emily and Tracy in Kenya, and we had so much fun together on safari and volunteering. Finally, this past summer I met Alicia, Stephanie and Stuart in Auckland, New Zealand.

19. Introductions

20. Introductions Think of your introduction as a movie trailer, giving a quick preview of the text and making us excited about it. An intro has a: • Hook: Oftena question, a “many” statement, or an image. • Background/Summary of Topic: Describe the topic: What do you think the reader needs to know about this topic? What background do they need to hear? • Thesis: Your argument (and reasons)

21. The Hook You can often hook in your reader with a question, a “many” statement, or an image. An image is usually the most advanced of hooks. • Have you ever watched the sunset over the Mekong? Or the North Sea? Or the Amazon Basin? I have! • Many people travel only as far as their sofa, seeing other places only from the safety of their television. Not me! • Swimming in the emerald-green waters of Halong Bay in Vietnam. Watching the sun set behind the ancient city of Florence. Teaching at a refugee camp in Kenya. These are just some of the things I’ve been lucky enough to do through traveling. • For the image, think of the results that would show up if you “Google Imaged” your topic.

22. Background(Summary of Topic) • You’ll want to describe the person/concept/holiday/sport/activity in one or two sentences, but no more (details go in your body paragraphs). Ask yourself, what extra information does your reader need to know? • What does the reader need to know about your brother? (How old is he? How long has he been bothering/supporting you?) • How long have you done/how often do you do this sport/activity? • Give a brief overview of this holiday in your family.

23. Background(Summary of Problem) • Ex. Nine years ago, I had never been east of Utah; since then I’ve been to thirty-eight countries and six continents. At least twice a year, I leave home to backpack through a new place.

24. The Thesis • Remember: your essay is almost like an “argument”: you are trying to prove something to your reader. Your thesis is your argument, and it goes at the end of your introduction. • My mom is the best mom because x, y and z. • Summer is the worst season because x, y and z. • I am amazing because x, y and z. • My mom should buy me an Xbox 360 because x, y and z. • I love to travel because x, y and z. • Eating cockroaches is great because x, y and z.

25. The Thesis • Remember: your essay is almost like an “argument”: you are trying to prove something to your reader. Your thesis is your argument, and it goes at the end of your introduction. • I love traveling because I get to meet amazing new people, I get to see breathtaking places and I get to learn about other cultures and languages.

26. Introduction Swimming in the emerald-green waters of Halong Bay in Vietnam. Watching the sun set behind the ancient city of Florence. Teaching at a refugee camp in Kenya. These are just some of the things I’ve been lucky enough to do through traveling. Nine years ago, I had never been east of Utah; since then I’ve been to thirty-eight countries and six continents. At least twice a year, I leave home to backpack through a new place. I love traveling because I get to meet amazing new people, I get to see breathtaking places and I get to learn about other cultures and languages.

27. Conclusions

28. Conclusion • A conclusion restates your argument and summarizes the evidence. In other words, it restates your reasons. • It does not give any new evidence! • Evidence goes in your body paragraphs, not your conclusion or introduction.

29. Conclusion • Restate the thesis, usually in slightly different words (with a transition like “In conclusion,”). • Restate your reasons (in slightly different words). • A question or catchy final statement. (Ask yourself, what do you want to leave the reader with? Perhaps consider what your life would be like without it/the person or overall how that thing/person has changed your life).

30. Restate the Thesis(in a slightly different way) • I love traveling. • In conclusion, traveling is one of the most important parts of my life. • In conclusion, I could never imagine not being able to travel. • I love to eat cockroaches. • In conclusion, cockroaches make any meal a perfect one. • In conclusion, everyone should eat cockroaches! • In conclusion, I could eat cockroaches everyday! • My pet kangaroo is the pet ever! • In conclusion, I love my pet kangaroo. • In summary, my pet kangaroo outshines all other pets. • Cats are better than dogs. • In conclusion, cats make better pets than dogs. • To sum up, cats are hands-down more amazing than dogs.

31. Restate Your Reasons(in a slightly different way) • …because I get to meet amazing people, • I get to know fantastic new people, • I always encounter incredible travelers, • …visit breathtaking new places, • see fantastic new sights and cities, • always discover countless amazing sights, • …and learn about new cultures and languages. • and experience different languages and cultures. • and interact with innumerable new languages and cultures.

32. Catchy Final Statement • It’s hard to explain how to do a strong final statement. Much of it is just being able to “hear” the sound. The statement needs to leave a strong “taste” in the reader’s “mouth.” Just like a chef learns to figure out just what a recipe needs by practice, you’ll learn as you mature what will make the best final statement.

33. Catchy Final Statement • Ask yourself, what do you want to leave the reader with? It’s usually: • a statement summarizing what this person/thing means to you… • or how you would feel if that thing/person weren’t around (think about what life would be like without it/him/her…or with more of it/her/him)… • or how you’re different because of it/him/her… • Or a question you would like to leave the reader with. • Thesis: Monopoly is the worst game for many reasons. • Potential Endings: • Without Monopoly, my life would be paradise. • Without Monopoly, the world be a better place. • Without Monopoly, the world would be peaceful and everyone would smile all the time.

34. Catchy Final Statement In conclusion, traveling is one of the most important parts of my life. With traveling I always get to see fantastic new cities and sights, encounter amazing new people, and interact with innumerable new languages and cultures. Even though I didn’t like traveling at first, I’ve clearly since learned to love it. And I know, now, that until the day I die, I will always be unviajero, a traveler.

35. Catchy Final Statement In conclusion, traveling is one of the most important parts of my life. With traveling I always get to see fantastic new cities and sights, encounter amazing new people, and interact with innumerable new languages and cultures. If people traveled to more countries and met people from other cultures, I’m convinced that there would probably be fewer wars. How could you ever declare war on a country when you’ve shared a meal with one of its citizens?

36. Catchy Final Statement In conclusion, traveling is one of the most important parts of my life. With traveling I always get to see fantastic new cities and sights, encounter amazing new people, and interact with innumerable new languages and cultures. And everyday, I get more and more restless to put on my backpack again and go on my next adventure!

37. Catchy Final Statement In conclusion, traveling is one of the most important parts of my life. With traveling I always get to see fantastic new cities and sights, encounter amazing new people, and interact with innumerable new languages and cultures. Traveling has made me such a better and more knowledgeable person that I could never imagine my life without it!

38. Catchy Final Statement In conclusion, we should farm cockroaches. They provide fuel, they make great snacks, and they make great pets. The world is determined to destroy them, but in the end, it’s our responsibility to save them.

39. Catchy Final Statement In conclusion, cats are better than dogs for many reasons. They don’t drool, they smell better, and they are much much smaller. Who wouldn’t want to go to sleep snuggled next to a furball?

40. Catchy Final Statement In conclusion, we need to rebel against Mr. Chapman’s dictatorial rule. He’s weak, he’s cruel, and he will only get worse with time. If we just surrender and let him continue to teach us, we face a punishment worse than death.

41. Review of Evidence

42. “You” • Your essay is a personal essay. Where does the evidence come from? • The author. It doesn’t come from the reader. So don’t say “You” • So don’t say this: • When you get home, my dog Fido always runs up to you. • No he doesn’t. I don’t go over to your house. • When you play hockey you meet so many new people. • I don’t play hockey. No I don’t.

43. Topic Sentences • You need to prove your topic sentence. Every example needs to support that piece of evidence. • If I say the following, what am I trying to prove: • One reason I love American football is I have a lot of fun. • Prove that you have fun. I don’t believe you unless you prove and clearly explain it to me. Give examples that show you are clearly having fun. • Another reason my brother is annoying is because my plays mean tricks on me. • Prove that your brother plays mean tricks on you. I need at least three examples that show 1) he plays tricks and 2) that those tricks are mean.

44. Transitions

45. Transitions • A transition is like a bridge between your examples and paragraphs. 95% of examples will have a transition between them.

46. Transitions I want to cross the river to eat that yummy meat but there’s no bridge!  Yum! Thank you, friend! Aren’t I so cute? • Transitions make the reader happy and prevent them from getting wet! 2nd paragraph! 3nd paragraph! Finally, …

47. Transitions • Transitions make the reader happy and prevent them from getting wet! 2nd paragraph! 3nd paragraph! Finally, …