Persuasive Writing

How to Write a Convincing Argument

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!

Choosing a Topic

Choose an issue that is important to you.Ex. School uniforms, year-round school,

censorship

What are some things that you find important that you wish more people did or didn’t do?

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).

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. Students should not be forced to wear

school uniforms.The goal is for schools not to have

uniforms.

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. School uniforms infringe upon students’

needs for self-expression.Because this could not be proven, this is

considered an opinion.

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 study among students who wear

school uniforms, the average student feels stifled by wearing the same thing every day.

Facts like this make your argument seem more reasonable, sound, and ultimately, convincing.

DraftingNow 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)

Drafting

2) Body Paragraph 1Topic 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!)

Drafting3) 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!)

Drafting4) 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. School uniforms may reduce conflicts over expensive

fashions, but isn’t student individuality more important?Conclusion sentence- refer to main reason 3 again

(Restate your opinion in a new way!)

Persuasive StrategiesUse the following strategies in your essay.

(See p. 444)Anticipate and answer possible objections-

What objections might your audience have to your goal or reasons?

Ex. Objection- School uniforms have a one-time cost.

Answer- Although students wear the same thing every day, students will still need clothes to wear on the weekends and after school.

Persuasive Strategies

Cite precedents- a precedent is an earlier example of the action you are suggesting.

Ex. Precedent- In previous generations, students have worn their own clothes to school without being harmed.

Persuasive Strategies

Predict benefits- tell your audience how your goal will benefit them.

Ex. If students are allowed to choose their own attire, students would be more comfortable in their learning environments.

Drafting5) 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.

Revising

You will use a checklist to revise your own draft.

Revising will help you organize your thoughts clearly, strengthen your argument with persuasive words, and eliminate unnecessary details.

Transitional Words and Transitional Phrases

Use the following words and/or phrases in the revising stage. (See p. 445)

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

Editing

How convincing can an essay be if it’s filled with grammatical and spelling errors?

These errors are distracting and take the spotlight off your essay.

You will use proofreading marks to correct your draft.

The Do’s and Don’t’s of Persuasive Writing

Do use persuasive vocabulary.Don’t try to pass off opinions as facts. (If it

can’t be proven, it’s only an opinion!)Do use an exciting hook.Don’t start every sentence with the same

word.Do remember to always support your three

main reasons and your goal.Don’t attack the opposition. (This will only

weaken your argument!)

The Do’s and Don’t’s of Persuasive Writing

Do organize your three body paragraphs with the most convincing reason to least convincing reason.

Don’t use personal pronouns like I, me, you, we, etc.

Do use transitional words and transitional phrases.

Don’t forget to have fun!

QuizList 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 side’s viewpoint?Name two personal pronouns you should

refrain from using in your essay.Name three transitional words or phrases.