Transcript Persuasive Writing

Persuasive Writing
How to Write a Convincing
Argument
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!
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?
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).
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
_____________.
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.
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.
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)
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!)
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!)
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!)
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.
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 reelected.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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!)
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!
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.