Persuasive Writing

1
Persuasive Writing
2

• How would you persuade
• someone to do.
• ( or not to do )
• something?

3
First, some vocabulary

• Thesis
• A statement that declares what you believe and
  what you intend to prove
• Argument
• viewpoint an attitude of mind
• support specific and convincing evidence
• opposing viewpoint the attitude of your
  audience

4
Directions

• You will be given six strips of paper.
• With a partner, put the strips of paper in the
  order that each element should appear in your
  persuasive essay.

5
How did you do?

• Introduction Thesis statement (duh!)
• Second best reason, minor reasons
• Opposing argument (hmmmmm?)
• Opposition is refuted
• Best reason (finally)
• Conclusion (double duh!)

6
Nestorian Order

• A way to organize a persuasive essay
• Leads with a thesis declaring position
• Gives second best reason/minor evidence first
• Anticipates a counter-argument
• Addresses/refutes counter-argument
• Presents best reason/support
• Ends with a strong conclusion (call to action)

7
Following Nestorian Order

• Your introduction should contain
• A statement of the issue
• Your position on the issue
• Your body paragraphs should contain
• Evidence that supports your argument
• Acknowledgement of counter-argument
• Refutes counter-argument
• Your closing should contain
• A summary of your key points
• A call to action or prediction based on the facts.

8
Why Do I Need To Address the Counter Argument?

• Addressing the counter-argument shows that
• you are familiar with your audience
• you are fair
• you and your viewpoint have more credibility

9
Language Features

• Use mainly the present tense.
• Use logical and cause and effect connectives.
• Use emotive language.
• Use technical language.
• Try to make opinions sound like facts.
• Use powerful verbs and strong adjectives.

10
Some Examples

• Cause Effect
• If too many chemicals are used to remove the
  geese, the soil around the school may become
  contaminated and unsafe for students.

11
Some Examples

• Emotive language
• In addition, cheaper chemical methods are toxic
  to geese and can harm humans
• They produce loud noises that mimic the sounds
  of distressed birds which scare the geese and
  make them think the area is unsafe

12
Some Examples

• Technical Language
• Lab studies show that the ratio of chemicals
  used in this deterrent is far below standards set
  by the Federal Department of Agriculture.

13
Some Examples

• Opinions that sound like fact
• The cost of using chemicals is far too expensive
  for the county to even consider under our current
  budget constraints.
• Placing decoys on a weekly or even daily basis
  will be too time consuming and not be cost
  effective.

14
Some Examples

• Powerful verbs and strong adjectives
• Terrifying the geese into thinking they are
  surrounded by a pack of starving wolves will
  ensure the flocks head back to Canada.