Transcript Persuasive/Argument PowerPoint

Writing to Persuade
Or how to write an argument politely
Persuasive/Argument Writing
Claim - this is where you state your argument.
Example: I will try to convince you that chocolate is a
healthy snack.
● The claim is usually one sentence that does not discuss
many topics.
● It forecasts the content of the essay.
Persuasion Techniques
Big Names- important people or experts can make your
argument seem more convincing.
Example: Dr. Seuss confessed, “I do my best writing after
eating a Hershey bar. Chocolate helps get my creative
juices flowing.”
Logos (Logic)
Facts, numbers and information can be very
convincing.
Example: A Snickers bar has only 250
calories and contains 4 grams of protein.
Pathos (Emotional Appeal)
Getting people to feel happy, sad, or angry can help your
argument.
Example: Chocolate can increase the level of serotonin in
the brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that contributes
to one’s feelings of well-being and happiness.
Ethos (Ethics)
If people believe and trust in you or your experts you are
more likely to persuade them.
Example: “Believe me! I was tired and grouchy and eating
one Snickers bar got me back to my normal happy-go-lucky
self,” said Mr. Dove Ghirardelli.
Kairos (Time)
Time is limited - this issue is so important that they must
act now.
Example: If you don’t try a Snickers bar today, you could
be down in the dumps forever. (The North American Better
Health Through Chocolate Organization)
Another Way to Look at Persuasive
Writing Techniques: Either - Or
E = Everyone is doing this.
I = Intelligent people agree with this.
T = This is good for you.
H = Happiness. This will make you happy.
E = Entitled. This is your right.
R = Reason. Many good reasons prove this.
Either-Or (Strategies con’t.)
O= Opposing point of view is wrong. I see
their point but the facts disprove their
position.
R= Responsibility. This is an important
responsibility.
Research
Using reliable research can help your argument seem
convincing.
Example: A recent study of 500 chocolate eaters was found
to be happier with their lives than the control group of 500
who consumed no chocolate during the study. (The North
American Better Health Through Chocolate Organization)
Thesis Statement
Developing your thesis statement:
Example: Playing sports is really good for people.
● Expresses your position.
● Vague - doesn’t answer why playing sports is good for
people, how playing sports benefits people or which
people benefit from playing sports.
● Asking these questions is a good way to develop your
thesis statement.
Thesis Statement - con’t.
After asking the above questions, you decide to narrow your
topic into children and sports. Your new thesis statement
might look like this:
Playing sports is really good for children.
This is more specific, but you still haven’t really answered
the why or how questions.
Thesis Statement - con’t.
Playing sports is really good for children.
Maybe you think playing sports helps children develop coordination,
cooperation skills and better health. Your next try at a thesis statement might
look like this:
Playing sports is beneficial for children because it helps them develop better
cooperation skills, better coordination and better overall health. (Notice
beneficial - a more sophisticated word choice than really helps.)
Thesis Statement - con’t.
Playing sports is beneficial for children because it helps
them develop better cooperation skills, better coordination
and better overall health.
This thesis statement has all the needed elements for a
good thesis:
1. a subject - playing sports
2. a main idea - playing sports is beneficial for children
3. support or evidence - better cooperation, coordination
and overall health
Thesis Statement - con’t.
This is an effective thesis statement and is
often called an action plan. This is a good
way to develop your thesis because it tells
the reader what is going to be discussed and
it helps the writer stay focused and
organized.
Developing Your Argument
Use a T chart to help you outline your arguments.
Main Ideas
Facts, Reasons, Examples, Details (FRED)
Better coordination
Eye-hand coordination, agility, balance
Better cooperation
Taking turns, learning rules, playing on a
team
Better overall health
Outdoors for vitamin D, physically fit,
relieves depression
Developing Your Argument - con’t.
Note the opposing point of view - mention the other point
of view but focus on your perspective.
Multi-paragraph essays often explain the writer’s position
in one paragraph and the position of others in the next
paragraph, followed by a re-focusing paragraph on the
writer’s position.
Writing the Argument
Here’s where you come in - get that pencil
and paper ready or fire up your computer!
Draw that T chart and off you go! Happy
arguing!
Possible Topics for Argument
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
Global warming is a hoax.
Kentucky Fried Chicken raises chickens in a humane manner.
Ebola is the new black plague.
Young black men are targeted by white policemen.
Malaysia Airlines Flight #17 was shot down.
The first two years of college should be paid for by the government.
A woman will never be president of the United States.
Star Wars is the best movie franchise of all time.
Topic of your choice - approved by Mrs. Dunaj or Mr. Olberding