Writing Persuasive Essays

Persuasive Essays

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Open Ended

Do you agree with what the quote says? Explain.

Persuasive Essay

• uses reason to demonstrate that certain ideas are more valid than others in academic writing

• must be based on sound logic and must contain factual evidences

Persuasive Essay and its Purpose

• encourages readers to accept a particular point of view or acr in a particular way

Open Ended

Do you like watching or reading investigative documentaries?

Open Ended

Have you ever been in an argument of beliefs? What argument was it?

Writing a Persuasive Essay

• is like being a lawyer.

• is taking a stand on an issue (pro-con)

• you must convince the readers

• requires a good research

• awareness of the readers' biases

• and a solid understanding of both sides.

A Good Persuasive Essay

• demonstrates not only why the writer's opinion is correct, but also why the opposing view is incorrect.

Open Ended

Are you ready to become a lawyer and stand with your point of view?

Open Ended

What is the topic that you have in mind?

Introductory Paragraphs

• first-paragraph in a persuasive essay

• it has three parts: attention-catcher, a thesis, and a preview.

Attention-Catcher

• hooks the reader toward the writer's position.

• Do you think students should have to wear uniforms? (X)

• Do you think students should be forced to wear pants when it is over 100 degrees? (✔)

Thesis

• clearly state the position of your essay

Open Ended

What is your stand in students wearing uniform when it is over 100 degrees?

Preview Main Points

• briefly state the main points that will be argued

• summaries of each point in as few words as possible

Open Ended

Can you write a sample Main Point on wearing a uniform?

Body Paragraphs

• it is the middle of your essay

• each body paragraph should have a topic sentence with supporting details

• sample: Students should not have to wear school uniforms because they limit students' ability to express individuality.

Open Ended

What will be your supporting detail for your Body Paragraph?

Concluding Paragraphs

• last paragraph

• restate main points and will leave a lasting impression on the readers

Concluding Paragraphs

• Better World: The writer tries to describe an ideal scenario that will occur if their proposal is accepted.

• Example: If students aren't forced to wear uniforms, our school will have a much more pleasant and productive environment in which everyone will learn and grow.

Concluding Paragraphs

• Worst Case Scenario: The writer again tries to describe a scenario, this time imagining how bad the world might become if their proposal is rejected.

• Example: If students are required to wear uniforms, the environment of our school will become like a dull and colorless prison.

Persuasive essay quick review

All words in green are terms you need to remember.

Writing a Persuasive Essay

To persuade means to (1)convince.

When others are convinced that your opinion is true, they can help you achieve your goals.

Poll

Could you be persuaded to walk a plank from one mountain cliff to another like in the picture?

• Yes

• No

• Maybe

Why?

Writers use persuasive essays to convince readers of their (2)opinion.

A persuasive essay is more powerful if it is clearly (3)organized.

These essays have three parts. The first part of the essay is the (4)introduction.

Multiple Choice

Every introduction needs a _________ the opinion you will prove.

• Evidence

• Claim

• Topic sentence

• Fact

Your Job

In your introduction, your job is to grab the reader’s attention and state the opinion, or (5)thesis (claim), that you are arguing.

Next come your body paragraphs.

In each body paragraph, give a (6)reason for your opinion and support that reason with specific (6)evidence.

You’re not limited in how many body paragraphs you use to support your opinion, but aim to include at least (7)three.

Concluding

Finally, bring your essay to a close in the (8)conclusion paragraph.

In your final paragraph, you’ll (9)summarize the main points of your essay and remind your readers why your opinion is (9)important.

Multiple Choice

A summary is

• a brief description of the main points

• a brief description of all the details

• brief retelling in your own words

• a brief opinion

Useful tips

When you write a persuasive essay, keep in mind who you want to convince. This is the audience for your essay. Use reasons that this specific audience will care about!

In a persuasive essay, your evidence doesn’t just have to be facts or quotations. You can also use personal stories or real-world examples.

Creating a Claim

Persuasive Writing

Poll

Should plastic straws be banned?

• I think plastic straws should be banned.

• I think plastic straws should not be banned.

Multiple Choice

What is the author's claim?

• Did you know that many cities and businesses are banning plastic straws to save the ocean?

• That's because many sea animals are found with plastic in their stomachs.

• However, I believe that plastic straws should not be banned.

• Many people need straws.

What is a claim?

• The author's point of view about a topic

• The argument that the author is trying to make

• Tip: Ask yourself what is the author trying to convince you of

Poll

Did this argument change your mind about banning plastic straws?

• Yes, the author changed my mind.

• No, the author didn't change my mind. I still think straws should be banned.

• No because I already believed that straws should no be banned.

Writing a Persuasive Essay

• First, you need a claim! What are you trying to convince people of?

• Then, you need evidence to support your idea - this is what makes people change their mind.

• Remember to use persuasive writing tools to make your writing powerful!

Today, we're going to start writing our own arguments! First, we start with a CLAIM

Let's look a few good examples to get our ideas flowing.

Poll

Do you think the school day begins too early?

• Yes, I believe the school day begins too early.

• No, I don't believe the school day begins too early.

Multiple Choice

What is the author's claim?

• Nine o'clock is a good time for school to start and I believe it's not too early.

• With that start time, kids have enough time to wake up, eat breakfast, and get ready.

• They also might forget important things like homework.

• If you want to do well in school then you need to get plenty of sleep.

Multiple Choice

What is the author's claim?

• Write to Principal Tanner to convince him that our school needs a salad bar.

• Salad bars are great and we should have one at our school.

• A salad bar helps us to eat more vegetables...

• Also, we could have more choice.

YOUR TURN!

Next, we'll brainstorm ideas that you can write about for YOUR persuasive writing.

Open Ended

Write your own claim! Use these sentence starters to help.