Transcript Slide 1
Persuasive
Writing
Step 1:
Background: It is widely recognised that there is a massive
issue with alcohol in Scotland at the moment. Underage
drinking is rife and causes many social problems. Drinkingrelated illnesses cost the NHS millions of pounds each year. In
almost all countries in the world, adults are allowed to buy and
drink alcohol with very little restriction (although there are laws
about the exact hours that bars and shops are allowed to sell
alcohol, and laws against drinking and driving). This is in
contrast to the legal situation with regard to other mind-altering
(or ‘psycho-active’) drugs such as cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy,
acid, and heroin.
Consider: What are the advantages or disadvantages of
banning alcohol altogether?
Task: Write a persuasive essay arguing whether or not
banning alcohol would solve the social problems caused by
drinking.
Step 2: Ponder
Think about what you opinions are of
the proposal that alcohol should be
banned.
One way to navel gaze!
Step 3: Prepare Your Notes.
Fold your
paper into 4
squares.
Step 4: Further Prepare Your
Notes.
Unfold the paper and draw a box in the
centre. In the central box write a
sentence to convey your stand.
Step one
3:It is
Complete
the another
graphic
Write
Write
Example:
Example:
In
many
countries
alcohol
reason
you
reason
you
organizer.
just as addictive
is a contributory factor
think drugs.
alcohol
alcohol
inthink
60-70% of
violent
as other
crimes.
should be
banned.
should be
banned.
The sale and consumption of alcohol should
be made illegal to overcome the social
problems drinking it causes.
It is important that we take action to
Example:
We need
Write
another
make alcohol illegal now. It is just
consistency in our drug laws. If
Summarize
as harmful and addictive as illegal
cannabis, which
is not very
reason
you
drugs, such as heroin. If it was
addictive and which results in
your
3 mean that we
banned, it would
virtually no
violent crime or public
think
alcohol
would be more consistent in our
disorder, needs to be banned
reasons.
to mind-altering drugs.
because of itsbe
mind-altering effects, approach
should
then how much more so should
Finally, it contributes to all manner
alcohol be banned.
of crimes, which otherwise might be
banned.
prevented.
Example
: graphic
In many countries
Step
3:
Complete
the
Write
3
details
Example: It is just as
alcohol
is a3
contributory
Write
detailsfactor in
60-70% of violent crimes.
addictive
as this
other organizer.
about
about this
drugs.
reason.
• Child abuse
reason
• Heroin
• Cocaine
• Domestic violence
• Murder.
• Cannabis
The sale and consumption of alcohol should be
made illegal to overcome the social problems
drinking it causes.
Example: We need consistency in our
drug laws.
Write 3 details
• We recognise the destructive effect of
about this
heroin on families by banning it.
• Cocaine
is used recreationally, like
reason.
• Cannabis is banned.
alcohol, yet is banned.
It is important that we take action to
make alcohol illegal now. It is just as
harmful and addictive as illegal drugs,
such as heroin. If it was banned, it
would mean that we would be more
consistent in our approach to mindaltering drugs. Finally, it contributes
to all manner of crimes, which
otherwise might be prevented.
Summarize
your 3
reasons.
Example:
It is3:
justComplete the
Step
Elaborate
as addictive as
organizer.
other on
drugs.
one
graphic
detail.ELABORATE
• Heroin
• Cocaine
• Cannabis
The sale and consumption of alcohol should
be made illegal to overcome the social
problems drinking it causes.
Example: In many countries
Just like heroin, alcohol triggers the
Statistics
show that
alcohol
is
a
contributory
factor in
release of dopamine - a chemical which
60-70% of violent
playscrimes.
a direct
produces feelings of satisfaction. It alsoalcohol
increases the production of the brain's part in about a quarter
• Child abuse
natural painkiller - endorphin - which
• Domestic violence
domestic
violence
ELABORATE
scientists think could be the means by • Murder.
cases.
which the brain becomes trained to
crave the drug. All this is very similar
to the effects of heroin.
Step 3: Complete the graphic
Elaborate
organizer.
on one
detail.
The sale and consumption of alcohol should
be made illegal to overcome the social
problems drinking it causes.
of
Step 3: Complete the graphic
organizer.
Just like heroin, alcohol triggers the
Statistics show that
release of dopamine - a chemical
alcohol plays a direct
which produces feelings of
satisfaction. It also increases the
part in about a quarter
production of the brain's natural
domestic violence
painkiller - endorphin - which
scientists think could be the means by cases.
which the brain becomes trained to
crave the drug. All this is very similar
to the effects of heroin.
The sale and consumption of alcohol should
be made illegal to overcome the social
problems drinking it causes.
Cannabis
almostinno
Example: We causes
need consistency
our
drug
laws.
social
problems and is not
addictive, yet is still banned.
• Cannabis is banned.
ELABORATE
Alcohol,
on
the
other
hand,
• We recognise the destructive effect of
heroin
on families
by banningin
it.6,541
was directly
involved
•deaths
Cocaine in
is used
recreationally,
England
alone like
in
alcohol, yet is banned.
2007.
Elaborate on
one detail.
of
Step 5: Add transitions.
Firstly,
Moreover,
Example: It is just as
addictive as other drugs.
• Heroin
Just like heroin, alcohol triggers the
release of dopamine - a chemical which
produces feelings of satisfaction. It also
increases the production of the brain's
natural painkiller - endorphin - which
scientists think could be the means by
which the brain becomes trained to crave
the drug. All this is very similar to the
effects of heroin.
• Cocaine
• Cannabis
Example: In many
countries alcohol is a
contributory factor in 6070% of violent crimes.
• Child abuse
• Domestic violence
Statistics show that alcohol plays a
direct part in about a quarter of
domestic violence cases.
• Murder.
Furthermore,
The sale and consumption of
alcohol should be made illegal to
overcome the social problems
drinking it causes.
For these
reasons,
Example: We need
consistency in our drug laws. It is important that we take
action to make alcohol illegal
• Cannabis is banned.
now. It is just as harmful and
Cannabis causes almost no social problems
and is not addictive, yet is still banned.
addictive as illegal drugs,
Alcohol, on the other hand, was directly
such as heroin. If it was
involved in 6,541 deaths in England alone in
2007.
banned, it would mean that we
• We recognise the
would be more consistent in
destructive effect of heroin
our approach to mind-altering
on families by banning it.
drugs. Finally, it contributes
• Cocaine is used
to all manner of crimes, which
recreationally, like alcohol,
otherwise might be prevented.
yet is banned.
A list of
transition
words is
online!
Step 6: From your notes to the
paper.
Firstly,
Moreover,
Example: It is just as
addictive as other drugs.
• Heroin
Just like heroin, alcohol triggers the
release of dopamine - a chemical which
produces feelings of satisfaction. It also
increases the production of the brain's
natural painkiller - endorphin - which
scientists think could be the means by
which the brain becomes trained to crave
the drug. All this is very similar to the
effects of heroin.
• Cocaine
• Cannabis
Example: In many
countries alcohol is a
contributory factor in 6070% of violent crimes.
• Child abuse
• Domestic violence
Statistics show that alcohol plays a
direct part in about a quarter of
domestic violence cases.
• Murder.
Furthermore,
The sale and consumption of
alcohol should be made illegal to
overcome the social problems
drinking it causes.
For these
reasons,
Example: We need
consistency in our drug laws. It is important that we take
action to make alcohol illegal
• Cannabis is banned.
now. It is just as harmful and
Cannabis causes almost no social problems
and is not addictive, yet is still banned.
addictive as illegal drugs,
Alcohol, on the other hand, was directly
such as heroin. If it was
involved in 6,541 deaths in England alone in
2007.
banned, it would mean that we
• We recognise the
would be more consistent in
destructive effect of heroin
our approach to mind-altering
on families by banning it.
drugs. Finally, it contributes
• Cocaine is used
to all manner of crimes, which
recreationally, like alcohol,
Each
square will
become a
paragraph.
Step 6: From your notes to the
paper.
• The
introductory
paragraph
(the centre
box) sums
up each
reason.
It is widely recognised that there is a
massive issue with alcohol in Scotland
at the moment. Underage drinking is
rife and causes many social problems.
Teenagers create disturbances in the
street and intimidate law-abiding
passers-by. Drinking-related illnesses
cost the NHS millions of pounds each
year. In almost all countries in the
world, adults are allowed to buy and
drink alcohol with very little restriction.
This is in direct contrast to the legal
situation with regard to other mindaltering drugs such as cannabis,
cocaine, ecstasy, acid, and heroin.
This situation cannot be allowed to
continue. The sale and consumption of
alcohol has to be made illegal to
overcome the social problems drinking
it causes.
Step 6: From your notes to the
paper.
• Begin the
introductory
paragraph
with a hook.
Samples of
hooks can be
found in your
booklet.
In the UK, 24% of people are considered to
be “hazardous drinkers”. How can we let
such a large percentage of people devastate
their health, their society and ruin the lives
of others? It is widely recognised that there is a
massive issue with alcohol in Scotland at the
moment. Underage drinking is rife and causes
many social problems. Teenagers create
disturbances in the street and intimidate lawabiding passers-by. Drinking-related illnesses
cost the NHS millions of pounds each year. In
almost all countries in the world, adults are
allowed to buy and drink alcohol with very little
restriction. This is in direct contrast to the legal
situation with regard to other mind-altering
drugs such as cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy, acid,
and heroin. This situation cannot be allowed to
continue. The sale and consumption of alcohol
has to be made illegal to overcome the social
problems drinking it causes.
Step 6: From your notes to paper.
Firstly,
Moreove
Example: It is just as
addictive as other drugs.
• Heroin
Next Paragraph
Just like heroin, alcohol triggers the
release of dopamine - a chemical which
produces feelings of satisfaction. It also
increases the production of the brain's
natural painkiller - endorphin - which
scientists think could be the means by
which the brain becomes trained to crave
the drug. All this is very similar to the
effects of heroin.
• Cocaine
• Cannabis
Example: In many
countries alcohol is a
contributory factor in 6070% of violent crimes.
• Child abuse
• Domestic violence
Statistics show that alcohol plays a
direct part in about a quarter of
domestic violence cases.
• Murder.
Furthermore,
The sale and consumption of
alcohol should be made illegal to
overcome the social problems
drinking it causes.
For these
reasons,
Example: We need
consistency in our drug laws. It is important that we take
action to make alcohol illegal
• Cannabis is banned.
now. It is just as harmful and
Cannabis causes almost no social problems
and is not addictive, yet is still banned.
addictive as illegal drugs,
Alcohol, on the other hand, was directly
such as heroin. If it was
involved in 6,541 deaths in England alone in
2007.
banned, it would mean that we
• We recognise the
would be more consistent in
destructive effect of heroin
our approach to mind-altering
on families by banning it.
drugs. Finally, it contributes
• Cocaine is used
to all manner of crimes, which
recreationally, like alcohol,
otherwise might be prevented.
yet is banned.
Step 6: From your notes to
paper.
Firstly, alcohol is just as
Next Paragraph
addictive as other drugs. Heroin, cocaine
and cannabis have all been shown to have
very similar effects to alcohol. Why would
we continue to keep alcohol legal, when it
has the same mid-altering effects as many
illegal drugs? Just like heroin, alcohol
triggers the release of dopamine - a
chemical which produces feelings of
satisfaction. It also increases the
production of the brain's natural painkiller endorphin - which scientists think could be
the means by which the brain becomes
trained to crave the drug. All this is very
similar to the effects of otherwise illegal
drugs. It also makes it highly addictive. It
seems absurd that anyone in their right
mind would want to keep a mid-altering
drug, which endangers the user and others,
legal.
Step 6: From your notes to paper.
Firstly,
Moreov
Example: It is just as
addictive as other drugs.
• Heroin
Just like heroin, alcohol triggers the
release of dopamine - a chemical which
produces feelings of satisfaction. It also
increases the production of the brain's
natural painkiller - endorphin - which
scientists think could be the means by
which the brain becomes trained to crave
the drug. All this is very similar to the
effects of heroin.
Next Paragraph
• Cocaine
• Cannabis
Example: In many
countries alcohol is a
contributory factor in 6070% of violent crimes.
• Child abuse
• Domestic violence
Statistics show that alcohol plays a
direct part in about a quarter of
domestic violence cases.
• Murder.
Furthermore,
The sale and consumption of
alcohol should be made illegal to
overcome the social problems
drinking it causes.
For thes
reasons
Example: We need
consistency in our drug laws. It is important that we take
action to make alcohol illegal
• Cannabis is banned.
now. It is just as harmful and
Cannabis causes almost no social problems
and is not addictive, yet is still banned.
addictive as illegal drugs,
Alcohol, on the other hand, was directly
such as heroin. If it was
involved in 6,541 deaths in England alone in
2007.
banned, it would mean that we
• We recognise the
would be more consistent in
destructive effect of heroin
our approach to mind-altering
on families by banning it.
drugs. Finally, it contributes
• Cocaine is used
to all manner of crimes, which
recreationally, like alcohol,
Step 6: From your notes to
paper.
Next Paragraph
Moreover, alcohol significantly
increases the chances of a
violent crime being committed.
Alcohol is a contributory factor
in 65-70% of violent crimes,
such as child abuse and murder.
For instance, statistics from the
U.S. show that alcohol is a
factor in around a quarter of
domestic abuse cases. It is
clear that if we want a more
peaceful, more ordered society
that alcohol has to be removed
from it.
Step 6: From your notes to
paper.
Firstly,
Example: It is just as
addictive as other drugs.
• Heroin
Just like heroin, alcohol triggers the
release of dopamine - a chemical which
produces feelings of satisfaction. It also
increases the production of the brain's
natural painkiller - endorphin - which
scientists think could be the means by
which the brain becomes trained to crave
the drug. All this is very similar to the
effects of heroin.
• Cocaine
• Cannabis
Example: In many
countries alcohol is a
contributory factor in 6070% of violent crimes.
• Child abuse
• Domestic violence
Statistics show that alcohol plays a
direct part in about a quarter of
domestic violence cases.
• Murder.
Furthermore,
The sale and consumption of
alcohol should be made illegal to
overcome the social problems
drinking it causes.
Next Paragraph
Moreov
For thes
reasons
Example: We need
consistency in our drug laws. It is important that we take
action to make alcohol illegal
• Cannabis is banned.
now. It is just as harmful and
Cannabis causes almost no social problems
and is not addictive, yet is still banned.
addictive as illegal drugs,
Alcohol, on the other hand, was directly
such as heroin. If it was
involved in 6,541 deaths in England alone in
2007.
banned, it would mean that we
• We recognise the
would be more consistent in
destructive effect of heroin
our approach to mind-altering
on families by banning it.
drugs. Finally, it contributes
• Cocaine is used
to all manner of crimes, which
recreationally, like alcohol,
Step 6: From your notes to
paper.
Next Paragraph
Furthermore, it is about time that we
achieved some consistency with our
laws on drugs. We recognise the
damage heroin does to society by
banning it. Cocaine, just like alcohol,
is also used recreationally, yet is still
illegal. Cannabis causes almost no
social problems and is not addictive,
yet is still banned. Alcohol, on the
other hand, was directly involved in
6,541 deaths in England alone in
2007. This means that if we continue
to allow people to drink alcohol, that
we are nothing but hypocrites. We
can’t ban one “bad” drug and not
another. By not banning alcohol we
risk great damage to society and
show inconsistency.
Step 6: From your notes to
paper.
Firstly,
Example: It is just as
addictive as other drugs.
• Heroin
Just like heroin, alcohol triggers the
release of dopamine - a chemical which
produces feelings of satisfaction. It also
increases the production of the brain's
natural painkiller - endorphin - which
scientists think could be the means by
which the brain becomes trained to crave
the drug. All this is very similar to the
effects of heroin.
• Cocaine
• Cannabis
Moreov
Example: In many
countries alcohol is a
contributory factor in 6070% of violent crimes.
• Child abuse
• Domestic violence
Statistics show that alcohol plays a
direct part in about a quarter of
domestic violence cases.
• Murder.
Furthermore,
The sale and consumption of
alcohol should be made illegal to
overcome the social problems
drinking it causes.
For thes
reasons
Example: We need
consistency in our drug laws. It is important that we take
action to make alcohol illegal
• Cannabis is banned.
now. It is just as harmful and
Cannabis causes almost no social problems
and is not addictive, yet is still banned.
addictive as illegal drugs,
Alcohol, on the other hand, was directly
such as heroin. If it was
involved in 6,541 deaths in England alone in
2007.
banned, it would mean that we
• We recognise the
would be more consistent in
destructive effect of heroin
our approach to mind-altering
on families by banning it.
drugs. Finally, it contributes
• Cocaine is used
to all manner of crimes, which
recreationally, like alcohol,
Summary Paragraph
Step 6: From your notes to
paper.
Summary
Paragraph
Ending PUNCH
For these reasons, it is
important that we take action
to make alcohol illegal now. It
is just as harmful and addictive
as illegal drugs, such as
heroin. If it was banned, it
would mean that we would be
more consistent in our
approach to mind-altering
drugs. Finally, it contributes to
all manner of crimes, which
otherwise might be prevented.
Ban alcohol and save our
society from further ruin!
Step 7: Vocabulary
Review your paragraphs.
Can you add adjectives
(describing words)
and interesting adverbs
(describing action words)?
ADJECTIVES
ADVERBS
Step 7: Vocabulary
BEFORE:
Many resources are used
caring for those injured as
a result of being drunk.
AFTER:
Many precious resources
are exhausted caring for
those seriously injured as
a result of being stupidly
and carelessly drunk.
Step 7: Vocabulary
Remember: The more
sophisticated vocabulary
you use the better your
writing. How can you
“pull the heartstrings” of
the reader?
bad
dreadful
Step 8: Visual Expression
Use metaphors and
similes to give your
essay more visual
expression.
The
cost
of
The cost of
alcoholism to the
alcoholism to the
health care system is
health
care
system
massive; it drains the
is great.
tank
of our economy
like a leaking tap.
Step 9: Use of Rhetorical
Devices
1. Rhetorical question
Can we really expect the school to keep paying from its limited resources?
2. Emotive language
Imagine being cast out into the street, cold, lonely and frightened.
3. Parallel structures
To show kindness is praiseworthy; to show hatred is evil.
4. Sound patterns
Alliteration: Callous, calculating cruelty – is this what we must expect?
Assonance: A fine time we all had, too.
5. Contrast
Sometimes we have to be cruel to be kind.
6. Description and Imagery (i.e. using metaphor, simile and personification)
While we wait and do nothing, we must not forget that the fuse is already burning.
7. The ‘rule of three’
I ask you, is this fair, is it right, is it just?
8. Repetition
Evil minds will use evil means.
9. Hyperbole (using exaggeration for effect)
While we await your decision, the whole school holds its breath.
10. Anecdote
Using a story from your experience to illustrate a point or idea.
Step 9: Reread Your Work
Reread your work to make sure you have:
Taken a stand and stay on the topic
Given your reasons in the introductory paragraph
Have paragraphs that support each reason
Elaborate on a reason in each paragraph
Have a summary paragraph that restates your
reasons
Begin each paragraph with a transition word
Include adjectives, adverbs, similes, metaphors
and other rhetorical devices.