Persuasive writingWhat is persuasive writing?

Persuasive writing is…

• An essay which tries to convince a reader to believe what you believe about a certain topic.

Some DOS and DON’Ts• Do:• Have a thesis statement in

your introduction• Come up with 3 main points

to support your argument—these will be your 3 body paragraphs

• Have a conclusion that contains a clincher statement

• Come up with a catchy title

• Don’t • Begin with “hello my name

is___ and I’m going to write about____”

• Take out the word I (instead of I think we shouldn’t wear uniforms say “Uniforms shouldn’t be required”

• Be wishy washy. Pick a side.• Forget to support your

opinions with facts and example

Stages of writing• Prewriting (brainstorming)• Rough draft (pencil)• Revising/editing• Final draft (in pen)

Brainstorming

• Hamburger

These are things that make a fabulous persuasive essay• A terrific title• A thought provoking thesis statement• An interesting introduction with a hook• 3 brilliant body paragraphs with innovative ideas • Tremendous transition words between

paragraphs• A killer conclusion with a clincher statement

What is a thesis statement?• A thesis statement is one sentence at the end of your

introduction that states your opinion. It needs to be strong.

Which one is thought provoking?• This essay describes the difference between being a student

and being a scholar.

• In order to change school board policy to implement cell phones into the curriculum, a petition should be drafted and signatures collected.

An interesting introduction with a hook• Never say “Hello….blah blah” or “This essay will be

about…” BORING!

• You never get a second chance to make a first impression.

• Some techniques we will learn about:• Anecdote• Riddles• Fragment technique • Quotations• Shocking statement

ANECDOTE• A short story within an introduction to make the

point clear.

• Example:• Sally got out of bed, and looked at the alarm

clock. She was running late! She would have to hurry to catch the bus. This was one of those days that she was glad that her school had a uniform policy…she wouldn’t have to waste much time picking out an outfit.

Riddles

• Get your reader’s attention with a challenging thought.

• What’s plain, and boring? What makes all students in a school building look the same and lose their individuality? If you guessed UNIFORMS, you’re correct!

Fragment technique

• Uses 3 short fragments to create an image.

• Example:• A brand new fishing pole, a bucket of worms,

and a warm spring day! These things were present on the day I caught a record-breaking keeper.

Quotations

• Conversational“Mom, I’ve signed up to fight for my country!”• Famous Quote"War is nothing without a solider to fight it."

- Unknown

Shocking statements

Provides statistics or facts that startles readers to pull them into your story.

• ExampleAs unbelievable as it may seem, 90% of students polled at this school are dissatisfied with school lunch, but only 5% are willing to pack their own lunches.

3 brilliant body paragraphs with innovative ideas• You should come up with three points to

support your opinion• Each of the points will be turned into a

body paragraph• Try to think of ideas that no one else

would think of

3 brilliant body paragraphs with innovative ideas (an example)• Your school has a uniform policy. Some people

argue that uniforms in schools are beneficial because they cause fewer distractions, and some argue that they are not a good idea because they take away a student’s individuality. Do you agree or disagree with uniform policy? Make sure to support your position

3 brilliant body paragraphs with innovative ideas (an example)• Thesis: Uniform policies are beneficial in schools, and

should be implemented nationwide.Reason 1: Allows for less bullying based on wardrobe.Reason 2: Students will concentrate more on school and

less on attire.Reason 3: It cuts down on cost of school clothes and time

spent getting ready in the morning.

Tremendous transition words• Transition words move from one thought to the next• Usually at the beginning of 3 body paragraphs• Avoid the same weak transition words (first, next, last)

A killer conclusion with a clincher statement• Clincher statement is the last lline of your paper. It

should almost shock your reader• Conclusion leaves a lasting impression…

A killer conclusion with a clincher statement• In conclusion, over 95% of parents polled are in

agreement with a school wide uniform policy. Uniforms allow students to be who they are, not what they wear. After all, shouldn’t school be about academics rather than apparel? It’s time the nation got back to reading, writing, and arithmetic… rather than obsessing about brand names and body image.

A review…• What are some dos?• What are some don’ts?• What are these things…• A terrific title• A thought provoking thesis statement• An interesting introduction with a hook• Anecdote• Riddles• Fragment technique • Quotations• Shocking statement

• 3 brilliant body paragraphs with innovative ideas • Tremendous transition words between paragraphs• A killer conclusion with a clincher statement

How will I be graded?

You will need to include the following:•A solid introduction.•An effective thesis that communicates:• Your stance.• What should be done about it?

•3 brilliant body paragraphs.•A great conclusion.•Research (complete with in-text citations and a works cited).•3 separate drafts – Rough, 2nd, and Final• 2 Peer Edits for the rough draft• 1 Peer Edit for the 2nd

•1 Planning Sheet

Remember!• NO “I, YOU, WE, OUR”! – This is an academic essay using

academic language. Instead of “our” use “Americans”, for example.

• Print all materials and hand in as follows:• Final Draft – Min. 3 pages• Works Cited• 2nd Draft (with peer editing marks)• 1 Peer Edit Sheet• 1st Draft (with marks from 2 editors in different colors)• 2 Peer Edit Sheets• 1 Planning Sheet

Writing SituationThe Department of Education is considering a ban on the use of cell phones in public schools. Students would not be able to bring phones into school buildings for any reason. Many teachers and school administrators approve of the plan because they believe that cell phones are a distraction and disrupt class. Students and parents, on the other hand, feel that schools are limiting the ability of parents and children to keep in touch in case of emergencies.

Now write…• A thesis for this prompt.• Remember, a thesis includes 2 things:• Your stance on the issue.• How should it be solved?

Now…

• For the prompt, create• A terrific title• An interesting introduction with a hook• A killer conclusion with a clincher statement