Transcript Persuasive Essays

Argument Essay
Take out a piece of paper and take notes…
What is the argument essay?
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The purpose of the argument essay is
to convince or persuade the audience to
do something or think in a certain way.
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In it, you state a claim: make clear what you
are arguing for or against
You must organize your reasons and
supporting details in paragraphs
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In an Argument Essay…
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Use relevant information from the sources
you studied (read about)to support your
claim
Acknowledge and refute the counterclaim
(counterargument)
Include direct quotes from sources
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State your claim (thesis) clearly.
Include at least three strong reasons that support the
claim.
Support, or elaborate, each reason with facts, quotes
and examples from the text.
Anticipate possible counterclaims objections and
acknowledge them
Arrange your reasons in the most persuasive order
Use persuasive but polite language
End by summarizing your reasons and calling your
audience to action.
What do we need to think about
when writing an effective Persuasive
essay?
Audience-Who
is reading
your essay
Voice-Be polite
Introduction
Supporting Paragraphs
Conclusion
Where do we begin?
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Read the topic
Take a stance-choose a side
Brainstorm the issue-organize your writing with
a graphic organizer
Have facts, quotes and supporting details to
substantiate your claim (thesis).
Transitional Words/Phrases
As you proceed through your text you need to use
transitions and links for coherence.
Readers expect to move with ease from one
sentence to the other and from one paragraph to
the next……
Your document must “FLOW”.
What is this?
Why reference a grasshopper?
Do not force readers to grapple with
“grasshopper prose,” which jumps
suddenly from one idea to another
without obvious connections.
Your paper needs to flow!
Make your writing coherent, with
all the parts connecting clearly
to one another with transitional
expressions, context links, and
word links.
Use connecting words like this,
that, these, and those to refer to
something mentioned at the
end of the previous sentence
or paragraph.
Transitional Expressions
Adding an idea:
also, in addition, further ,
furthermore, moreover
Contrasting:
however, nevertheless,
nonetheless, on the other
hand, in contrast, still,
rather, conversely
Showing time order:
later, subsequently,
meanwhile, previously,
finally
Showing result:
consequently, therefore,
thus, hence, accordingly,
for this reason, as a result
More of the same…
Affirming:
of course, in fact, certainly,
obviously, to be sure,
undoubtedly, indeed
Adding an aside:
Incidentally, by the way,
besides
Giving Examples:
for example, for instance
Summarizing:
In short, generally, overall,
all in all, in conclusion
Do not overuse transitions...
Too many of them, used too often, give
writing a heavy and mechanical flavor.
It is all about the flow, organization, and
integration of your paper.
The Prompt
Research the pros and cons of youth sports.
Now, imagine that your school district is
going to make a final decision about
continuing to fund sports programs in the
schools. You have a chance to write a letter
that will be read to the mayor, printed in the
paper, or presented to the head of the school
board or PTA.
The Directions…
Your letter should state a claim or thesis by
taking a clear side, backing it up with
research, and refuting the other side. Your job
is to argue whether overall, sports are good or
bad for kids. Letters are really just a form of
essay, so use what you know about essay
writing to structure your letter. Be sure to back
up your claim with reasons and evidence,
supported by facts and details from multiple
sources you studied and analysis of those
sources. Be sure to cite important references.
The Introduction
For many young people in America, sports are their
dreams and hopes. And this is not without reason.
Research has shown that children who participate in
athletics are happier and more goal-driven than their nonathletic peers. High school athletics are still a highly
beneficial activity for young people everywhere, and this is
why it is important for sports programs across the country
to stay right where they are. Sports programs should be
kept in high schools because they have a positive effect on
academics, they improve determination, and they bring
people together.
How to Write a Good Introduction
1.
Do not assume your reader knows your
assigned prompt/topic/question.
2.
Provide context and background information
to set up your topic. Lead readers to expect a
statement of your point of view.
4.
Establish the tone from the onset of
the paper:
Argumentative/Persuasive
5.
Engage the readers’ interest; provide
a hook (attention grabber) that will
make the readers want to continue
reading.
What to Avoid
1.
Avoid becoming overly general and telling readers the
obvious, such as “Crime is a big problem” or “In this
fast-paced world, TV is a popular form of
entertainment”.
2.
Do not refer to your writing intentions – “In this
essay, I will….” Do not make extravagant claims,
such as “This essay will prove that bilingual education
works for every student.”
3.
Do not restate the assigned essay question.
What is the Hook?
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Surprising statistics
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A challenging question
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A concise quotation
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Interesting background
details
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An unusual fact
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An intriguing opinion
statement.
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A relevant anecdote
Intro
 Hook
 Connecting
sentence
 Thesis (claim)
 Three Reasons
Conclusion
Think of your conclusion as
completing a circle.
You have taken your readers on a journey
from the presentation of the topic in your
introduction, to your thesis, to supporting
evidence and discussion including specific
examples.
 Remind readers the purpose of your
journey. Recall the main idea of the paper
and make a strong statement about it.
Leave the readers feeling complete with a
full understanding of the topic.
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Key Points for a Conclusion
1.
Include a summary of the points you have
made, but keep it short and use fresh wording.
2.
Frame your essay by reminding the reader of
something you referred to in your introduction
and by reminding the reader of your “topic”.
3.
End on a strong note: a quotation, a
question, a suggestion, a reference to
an anecdote in the introduction, a
humorous and insightful comment, a
call to action, or a look to the future.