Persuasive Writing

1. Persuasive Writing How to Write a Convincing Argument

2. What is a persuasive essay? • A persuasive essay provides a convincing argument for one to believe something or do something. • You use persuasive language to convince your parents, teachers, siblings, etc. to do things all the time!

3. Choosing a Topic • Choose a candidate whose issues are important to you. • Ex. Women’s Rights, Taxes, Amendments • What are some things that you find important that you wish more people knew?

4. Prewriting • Research your topic. • To complete your persuasion map, you will need to find a goal, three main reasons, and three facts or examples to support each main reason (nine facts/examples total).

5. What is a goal? • The goal, or thesis, will be what you are trying to convince your reader to do or say. You will use it in your introductory paragraph. • Ex. ______________ is the best presidential candidate. • The goal is for your reader to vote for _____________.

6. What are reasons? • Your main reasons, or opinions, will serve as the meat of your essay. Your three main reasons will be used in the three body paragraphs. • Ex. _____________ policies on illegal immigration are what will benefit southern states. • Because this could not be proven, this is considered an opinion.

7. What are facts/examples? • Your facts and examples will provide the most convincing part of your essay. You need factual evidence in your body paragraphs to convince the reader. • Ex. In a national poll citizens between the ages of 18-35 listed drilling for domestic crude oil as the most important policy. • Facts like this make your argument seem more reasonable, sound, and ultimately, convincing.

8. Drafting • Now you are ready to begin writing your essay. 1) Introductory Paragraph • Hook- statistic, imagery, quotation, or rhetorical question (1-2 sentences) • Transition from hook to thesis- mention three reasons of argument (1-2 sentences) • Thesis- goal of your essay (1 sentence)

9. Drafting 2) Body Paragraph 1 • Topic sentence- state main reason 1 (the most convincing argument) Remember to make it interesting! • Facts and Examples (3-4 sentences) • Conclusion sentence- refer to main reason 1 again (Restate your opinion in a new way!)

10. Drafting 3) Body Paragraph 2 • Topic sentence- state main reason 2 (the second most convincing argument) Remember to make it interesting! • Facts and Examples (3-4 sentences) • Conclusion sentence- refer to main reason 2 again (Restate your opinion in a new way!)

11. Drafting 4) Body Paragraph 3 • Topic sentence- state main reason 3 (the third most convincing argument) Remember to make it interesting! • Facts and Examples (3-4 sentences) • The Opposition- Mention the other side of the argument but then provide a fact or example to refute it. (2-3 sentences) • Ex. Drilling for oil domestically may have short term environmental effects, but isn’t the long term effect of the environment more important? • Conclusion sentence- refer to main reason 3 again (Restate your opinion in a new way!)

12. Persuasive Strategies • Use the following strategies in your essay. • Anticipate and answer possible objections- What objections might your audience have to your goal or reasons? • Ex. Objection- Obama has not had enough time in office to make positive changes. Answer- Historically effective presidents have been able to help improve bad situations in the US within two years.

13. Persuasive Strategies • Cite precedents- a precedent is an earlier example of the action you are suggesting. • Ex. Precedent- In previous presidential terms, the current president whose approval ratings were below 40% six months or less prior to re-election were not re-elected.

14. Persuasive Strategies • Predict benefits- tell your audience how your goal will benefit them. • Ex. If all citizens were to pay a flat tax the economy would rebound quicker and offer tax relief for the working class citizens.

15. Drafting 5) Concluding Paragraph • Restate Thesis- Find a new way to say it though! • Restate main reasons- Find new ways to say them! • Conclusion sentence- Finish your essay with a powerful sentence. Leave the reader thinking so that the argument stays with him/her for a long time.

16. Revising • You will revise your own draft. • Revising will help you organize your thoughts clearly, strengthen your argument with persuasive words, and eliminate unnecessary details.

17. Transitional Words and Transitional Phrases • Use the following words and/or phrases in the revising stage. • Transitional Words: because, therefore, thus, however, although, also, similarly, another, besides, furthermore, moreover, better, best, finally • Transitional Phrases: as a result, for this reason, in conclusion, in contrast, in addition, for example, above all, equally important, to begin with

18. Editing • How convincing can an essay be if it’s filled with grammatical and spelling errors? • These errors are distracting and take the spotlight off your essay.

19. The Do’s and Don’t’s of Persuasive Writing • Do use persuasive vocabulary. • Don’t try to pass off opinions as facts. (If it can’t be proven, it’s only an opinion!) • Do use an exciting hook. • Don’t start every sentence with the same word. • Do remember to always support your three main reasons and your goal. • Don’t attack the opposition. (This will only weaken your argument!)

20. The Do’s and Don’t’s of Persuasive Writing • Do organize your three body paragraphs with the most convincing reason to least convincing reason. • Don’t use personal pronouns like I, me, you, we, etc. • Do use transitional words and transitional phrases. • Don’t forget to have fun!

21. Quiz • List the 5 paragraphs that should be in a persuasive essay. • What two things must be in your first paragraph? • Which paragraph should you bring up the opposing side’s viewpoint? • Name two personal pronouns you should refrain from using in your essay. • Name three transitional words or phrases.