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’TsDo:

• Divide into 5 paragraphs• 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 or word

processor)

Brainstorming

• Use the Hamburger Model for persuasive writing.

Hamburger Model for Persuasive Writing

Introduction (State an Opinion)

REASON

Elaboration

Elaboration

Conclusion

REASON

Elaboration

Elaboration

REASON

Elaboration

Elaboration

Brainstorming

• Use the for Four Fold Method for organizing the rough draft

of your persuasive piece.

PrewritingFour fold

method1. Fold a sheet of white, unlined paper into four equal squares.

2. Write a topic sentence in the middle of the paper.

3. In three of the squares write a complete sentence which states reasons, examples, or explanations that support the sentence in the center of the paper.

4. In the fourth box write a feeling sentence to support the topic.

5. Then go back to each square and write in several detail sentences about the first sentence you wrote in the box.

6. Finally use your Four Square pre-writing to write your story.

These are things that make a fabulous persuasive essay

• A terrific title• A thought provoking thesis statement• An interesting introduction with a hook• 3 banging 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.

• School board policy should be changed in order to implement cell phones into the curriculum.

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.

Example:• 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 Examples:• Conversational“Mom, I’ve signed up to fight for my

country!”• Famous Quote"War is nothing without a solider to fight

it."- Unknown

Shocking statementsProvides statistics or facts that startles

readers to pull them into your story.

Example:• Can you believe that over 90% of

students polled at our school are dissatisfied with school lunch, but only 5% are willing to pack their own lunches?

3 banging 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 banging 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 less 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 banging 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 line 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 our nation got back to reading, writing, and arithmetic….not Baby Phat, Apple Bottom, and FUBU.

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 banging body paragraphs with innovative ideas – Tremendous transition words between paragraphs– A killer conclusion with a clincher statement

How will I be graded?• On these four areas:• Style • Organization• Ideas• Conventions