Persuasive Writing

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Persuasive Writing

• How to Write a Convincing Argument

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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!

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Choosing a Topic

• Choose a candidate whose issues are important to
  you.
• Ex. Womens Rights, Taxes, Amendments
• What are some things that you find important that
  you wish more people knew?

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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).

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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
  _____________.

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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.

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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.

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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)

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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!)

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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!)

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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 isnt the long
  term effect of the environment more important?
• Conclusion sentence- refer to main reason 3 again
  (Restate your opinion in a new way!)

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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Editing

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

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The Dos and Donts of Persuasive Writing

• Do use persuasive vocabulary.
• Dont try to pass off opinions as facts. (If it
  cant be proven, its only an opinion!)
• Do use an exciting hook.
• Dont start every sentence with the same word.
• Do remember to always support your three main
  reasons and your goal.
• Dont attack the opposition. (This will only
  weaken your argument!)

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The Dos and Donts of Persuasive Writing

• Do organize your three body paragraphs with the
  most convincing reason to least convincing
  reason.
• Dont use personal pronouns like I, me, you, we,
  etc.
• Do use transitional words and transitional
  phrases.
• Dont forget to have fun!

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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
  sides viewpoint?
• Name two personal pronouns you should refrain
  from using in your essay.
• Name three transitional words or phrases.