Persuasive Terms

Beginning

Title – The name of the paper. It should summarize in one to five words the topic of your paper. Usually, written last.

Attention Getter – The first one or two sentences of your paper. An attention-getter should create curiosity in the minds of your listeners and convince them that the paper will be interesting and useful.

– A Story – Rhetorical Question – Quotation – Unusual Statement – Humor – Shocking Statistic

Write an Attention Getter

Should everyone be required to complete community service as a requirement to graduate high school?

OR Should a rookie salary cap be enforced in

pro sports?

Thesis

Thesis Statement – is a road map for the paper; in other words, it tells the reader what to expect from the rest of the paper. Makes a claim that others might dispute.

Examples:– Bad - The North and South fought the Civil War for many reasons,

some of which were the same and some different.– Better - While both sides fought the Civil War over the issue of

slavery, the North fought for moral reasons while the South fought to preserve its own institutions.

– Best - While both Northerners and Southerners believed they fought against tyranny and oppression, Northerners focused on the oppression of slaves while Southerners defended their own right to self-government.

Write a thesis statement.

Should pros be allowed to draft college athletes before they graduate?

OR Should people pulled over fur DUI have their

license suspended for life?

Topic Sentence

Topic Sentences – Every paragraph needs a topic sentence. The topic sentence is usually the first sentence of the paragraph. It gives the reader an idea of what the paragraph is going to be about. 

The supporting sentences need to be about the idea presented in the topic sentence. In a paragraph, every sentence should "belong". 

Support

Support for argument – Logical Appeal (LOGOS) - Logical appeal is the strategic use

of logic, claims, and evidence to convince an audience of a certain point.

Emotional Appeal (PATHOS) - Not surprisingly, emotional appeals target the emotions of the reader to create some kind of connection with the writer. Appeal to idealism, beauty, humor, nostalgia, or pity (or other emotions) in a balanced way

Ethical Appeal (ETHOS) - Ethical appeal is used to establish the writer as fair, open-minded, honest, and knowledgeable about the subject matter. The writer creates a sense of him or herself as trustworthy and credible.

Logos

Example: A Snickers bar has 280 calories and 30 grams of sugar. That’s not very healthy.

Facts, numbers, and information can be very convincing.

Pathos

Example: Your donation might just get this puppy off the street and into a good home.

Getting people to feel happy, sad, or angry can help your argument.

Ethos

Example: Believe me! I’ve been there before. I’m just like you.

If people believe and trust in you, you’re more likely to persuade them.

Conclusion

Conclusion – A piece of persuasive writing usually ends by summarizing the most important details of the argument. .

– Restate your thesis or focus statement.

Summary of Reasons – Part of the conclusion, Summarize the main points: the conclusion enables your reader to recall the main points of your position. In order to do this you can paraphrase the main points of your argument.

Call to Action

Call to action - Write a personal comment or call for action. You can do this:

– With a Prediction: This can be used with a narrative or a cause and effect discussion. The conclusion may suggest or predict what the results may or may not be in the situation discussed or in similar situations.

– With a Question: Closing with a question lets your readers make their own predictions, draw their own conclusions.

– With Recommendations: A recommendations closing is one that stresses the actions or remedies that should be taken.

– With a Quotation: Since a quotation may summarize, predict, question, or call for action, you may use a quotation within a conclusion for nearly any kind of paper.

Review

As a general guideline, when writing a persuasive essay:

Have a firm opinion that you want your reader to accept.

Begin with a grabber or hook to get the reader's attention.

Offer evidence to support your opinion. Conclude with a restatement of what you want the

reader to do or believe.

Write a call to action

Should the rising price of tickets to professional games be capped?

AND Should smoking be illegal in movies aimed

towards children?

What elements must you have in your persuasive essay?

Title – If audience requires. Attention Grabber Clear thesis Strong arguments – Ethos, Pathos, Logos Addresses the counter argument Transitional words Strong conclusion – restating thesis in a new way. Call to action Strong diction and correct grammar and spelling! MLA Format

Persuasive Writing

Beginning

Title – The name of the paper. It should summarize in one to five words the topic of your paper. Usually, written last.

Attention Getter – The first one or two sentences of your paper. An attention-getter should create curiosity in the minds of your listeners and convince them that the paper will be interesting and useful.

Thesis

Thesis Statement – is a road map for the paper; in other words, it tells the reader what to expect from the rest of the paper. Makes a claim that others might dispute.

Examples:– Bad - The North and South fought the Civil War for many reasons,

some of which were the same and some different.– Better - While both sides fought the Civil War over the issue of

slavery, the North fought for moral reasons while the South fought to preserve its own institutions.

– Best - While both Northerners and Southerners believed they fought against tyranny and oppression, Northerners focused on the oppression of slaves while Southerners defended their own right to self-government.

Topic Sentence

Topic Sentences – Every paragraph needs a topic sentence. The topic sentence is usually the first sentence of the paragraph. It gives the reader an idea of what the paragraph is going to be about. 

The supporting sentences need to be about the idea presented in the topic sentence. In a paragraph, every sentence should "belong". 

Support

Support for argument – Logical Appeal (LOGOS) –

Emotional Appeal (PATHOS) –

Ethical Appeal (ETHOS) -

Logos

Example: A Snickers bar has 280 calories and 30 grams of sugar. That’s not very healthy.

Facts, numbers, and information can be very convincing.

Pathos

Example: Your donation might just get this puppy off the street and into a good home.

Getting people to feel happy, sad, or angry can help your argument.

Ethos

Example: Believe me! I’ve been there before. I’m just like you.

If people believe and trust in you, you’re more likely to persuade them.

Conclusion

Conclusion – A piece of persuasive writing usually ends by summarizing the most important details of the argument. .

– Restate your thesis or focus statement.

Summary of Reasons – Part of the conclusion, Summarize the main points: the conclusion enables your reader to recall the main points of your position. In order to do this you can paraphrase the main points of your argument.

Call to Action

Call to action - Write a personal comment or call for action. You can do this:

What elements must you have in your persuasive essay?