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How to Write An

Outstanding

Persuasive Essay

(We’re talking 5 or 6 on the FCAT rubric!) Based on a manual written

by Rob Russo, CRHS

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Changing from Expository Essay Writing to Persuasive Persuasive Essay WritingEssay Writing

So far, we have concentrated on mastering the expository essay. There are only a few changes we need to make to switch to persuasive writing.

The structure is exactly the same. (Yea!)

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Let’s Review

Since the structure is the same for both types of essays, it makes sense to quickly review the structure.

Do you need more help than a quick review? – View the original expository writing

PowerPoint presentation (with narration) on my wiki: http://crmslessonplans.wikispaces.com/Karen+Waters

– NOTE: You must have PowerPoint on your personal computer to open the file at home.

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Let’s Review

How to Write an Outstanding Introductory paragraph 

1.Never give an explanation or a reason in the introduction.

2. Always indent.

3. Be sure the paragraph includes at least 3 to 5 sentences, with all sentences beginning with capital letters and ending with punctuation.

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Let’s Review

How to Write an Outstanding Introductory paragraph

4. Make sure the introductory paragraph contains:  A.Your topic sentence (refers to the prompt)

  B. Your position about prompt

The reader should know the prompt and your position after reading the introduction.

NO, NEVER, NADA include an explanation or reason in the introductory paragraph! Why?

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Let’s Review

The skeleton of an The skeleton of an outstanding essayoutstanding essay

(Funneled (Funneled introduction)introduction)_________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

To begin withTo begin with _________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

FurthermoreFurthermore________________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

UltimatelyUltimately_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Let’s Review

There are 4 parts to the body paragraph.

They are: Transition Statement Anecdote Thesis Tie-in

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Let’s Review TransitionsTransitions make sections of an essay flow

smoothly. (For more transitions, see the blue handout in your portfolio.)

The “statements” areThe “statements” are the the vital partvital part of of the essay. the essay.

The statement or topic sentence The statement or topic sentence revealsreveals to the reader to the reader what the paragraphwhat the paragraph is is going to be going to be about.about.

The statements are the The statements are the support support forfor your your positionposition..

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When we think about expository essays, we know we need to explain and inform the reader.

Explain=Expository

Convince/persuade=Persuasive

Persuasive Essay vs. Expository Essay

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What, then, is the point of a persuasive essay?

Persuasive Essay vs. Expository Essay

Picture is not drawn to scale

Persuasion is an attempt to win "the hearts and minds“ of others by convincing people that your view or opinion is the right one.

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Persuasion is the basis of

Debating

Negotiations

Advertising

Politics

And (most importantly for teens) in discussions with parents

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Some of the best examples of persuasive writing are found in advertising.

Ads are designed to influence the purchasing behavior and/or thought patterns of the audience.

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Debating is an important part of American politics. Americans like to hear politicians explain their views on important issues. Politicians debate issues to persuade voters to elect them.

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To ‘win’ a debate means to persuade

someone to your viewpoint. To do so, you

need to anticipate the objections the “other

side” will present and be able to give good

reasons for your viewpoint.

Let’s look at the way a child might be able

to convince a parent to be allowed to do

something. First, we’ll look at the “wrong

way” to try to persuade someone.

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Kid: Mom, can I spend the night at David’s house?

Mom: No, you’ve had a busy week.

Kid: So? I want to go. Please?

Mom: Why should I let you go?

Kid: I want to, that’s why.

Mom: You have things to do here.

Kid: So? I want to go. I want to go!

Mom: No, not this time, Elmer.

Kid: Come on, Mom. Let me go. Please? PLEASE?

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Now, let’s look at the “right” way to

persuade.

Take note of the way Elmer

presents his request to his mother in

the second example.

Notice how he anticipates his

mother’s objections and answers

them before she raises them.

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Kid: Mom, I’d like to talk to you about spending the night at

David’s house.

Mom: Yes?

Kid: I know I’ve had a busy week, but David’s brother just left

for college and David’s feeling kind of sad. He rented videos

and his mom said we could order pizza. They even have a

swimming pool. I’d really like to go.

Mom: Why should I let you go?

Kid: I’ve already done my chores, except for bathing Queenie,

and I’ll do that tomorrow afternoon. David has practice at ten

in the morning and his mom said she would drop me off then

so I’ll be home early.

Mom: Well… I guess there’s really no reason you couldn’t go…

Okay, fine.

Kid: Great, Mom. Thanks.

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Persuasive writing teaches students: A.) to investigate new ideasB.) to develop thinking skillsC.) to open their minds

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3 changes make all the difference!

Now let’s get to the 3 changes we must make to switch from an expository essay to a persuasive essay.

First, change your tone.

Second, write the thesis tie-in as an interrogative sentence (ask a question).

Third, end your persuasive essay with a question.

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Changing Tone Think about conversations you have with

different people. You can tell if someone wants you to do something simply by the tone used.

Change the tone of your writing from explaining to persuading and you’ve got it!

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How To Change the Tone When you write a persuasive essay you are

writing to someone and you are trying to convince the reader to agree with your point of view.

It’s important to address the essay as a letter.

Begin with “Dear …. (fill in the name or title of the person to whom you are writing).

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Why should you answer the persuasive

prompt in the style of a letter and address it

to someone? Because it tells the reader that

the information is relevant to him.

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Write thesis tie-in as a question

Why should you write the thesis tie-in as a question?

If you want to sell something to someone, at some point you need to ask the potential buyer some closing questions to bring him closer to the sale.

It’s the same way in writing. You should make a strong argument in your body paragraph, and then ask the reader a closing question to make him personally consider agreeing with your support.

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Reminder

Remember, the content of the essay doesn’t change, just the tone.

By changing the tone and changing the thesis tie-in to a well-aimed question, you will change your essay from expository (explaining) to persuasive (convincing).

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Example: Expository Essay

This week you will use an essay that you wrote in an expository style and rewrite it into a persuasive essay. The following slides show how easily this is done.

The topic: Think about where you want to live and write to explain why.– Note: When you see the word “explain,” it

means to write an expository essay. Position: Florida

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To begin with, in Florida I don’t have to worry about snowstorms

and icy roads. I can remember one time when I was still living in New

York and we had the worst storm imaginable. I woke up early to get

ready for work and went to the porch door to look outside. All I could

see was a wall of white blocking the door. It took me a couple of

seconds to realize what I was seeing. My entire porch was blanketed

in snow.

“I am so sickkk of this weather,” I shouted. My wife came rushing

downstairs when she heard me yell.

“What’s the matter?”

“We have three feet of snow on the porch, thatttt’s what’s the

matter!”

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I was nearly sick to my stomach as I thought about having

to bundle up and spend the next hour digging out just so I could

get my car on the road. Then a new thought hit me. I have to

drive in this awful weather, too. The roads were sure to be

ridiculously icy. What a nightmare it was.

That’s when I first began to seriously consider

relocating to Florida. I knew in Florida (the Sunshine

State) that I wouldn’t have to worry about snowstorms

and icy roads. A new life was waiting for me. I decided I

would rather spend my time making sandcastles at the

beach with my children than shoveling snow every day.

It’s no wonder I now call Florida home.

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The previous essay was an expository essay. The author explained why he chooses to live in Florida.

The next essay will change the tone to persuasive. Notice that the topic and the structure do not change.

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Persuasive Essay

The topic: Think about where you live and write to convince a friend to live there, too.– Note: When you see the word

“convince,” write a persuasive essay.

Position: Florida

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Dear Tom,

To begin with, in Florida you won’t have to worry about

snowstorms and icy roads. I can remember one time when I was still

living in New York and we had the worst storm imaginable. I woke up

early to get ready for work and went to the porch door to look

outside. All I could see was a wall of white blocking the door. It took

me a couple of seconds to realize what I was seeing. My entire porch

was blanketed in snow.

“I am so sickkk of this weather,” I shouted. My wife came rushing

downstairs when she heard me yell.

“What’s the matter?”

“We have three feet of snow on the porch, thatttt’s what’s the

matter!”

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I was nearly sick to my stomach as I thought about having to

bundle up and spend the next hour digging out just so I could get my

car on the road. Then a new thought hit me. I have to drive in this

awful weather, too. The roads were sure to be ridiculously icy. What a

nightmare it was.

That’s when I first began to seriously consider relocating to

Florida. I knew in Florida (the Sunshine State) that I wouldn’t

have to worry about snowstorms and icy roads. A new life

was waiting for me just as it is for you. You should consider

moving to Florida, too. Wouldn’t you rather spend your time with

your children making sand castles at the beach rather than shoveling

snow every day before you leave for work?

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It’s so easy! Notice how simple changes in sentence variety

and writing to a specific individual changed the entire tone of the paper.

Some students may have been taught that their support must be so overwhelmingly convincing that it will persuade people to believe what they believe. Too often, this results in the student explaining instead of persuading.

To persuade, change the tone!

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Final Adjustment The final adjustment takes place in the

conclusion. Instead of an ending sentence, ask an open-ended question at the end of the essay.

Ultimately, I know that Florida is the place for you. Your days of high taxes and shoveling snow will be over. Wake up to the dream that can become your reality – blue skies and sunshine every day! Now doesn’t Florida sound like the place for you?

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Notice that the last sentence is an interrogative sentence. It leaves the reader with a strong persuasive tone.

That’s it! That’s all you have to do to write

a persuasive essay.

Any questions?

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By the way, did you notice that you are now expected to use a word in a persuasive essay that you were told you shouldn’t use in an expository essay? Do you know what the word is? Do you?

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When responding to a persuasive prompt, you should emotionally disconnect from the topic.

Just because you strongly believe one side or another doesn’t mean you have to write on that side.

Students should write to the easier opinion/side.

Students should write to the side they have more ideas about or a better OTW.