What is persuasive writing? Any type of writing that attempts to

persuade us to adopt a point of view, agree with an opinion, take an action, form a belief, etc.

It is any type of writing that involves an argument.

You pick a side and defend it.

Fact vs. Opinion To write a persuasive paper, you

must present an opinion. You’ve got to make a point and try to convince others that your opinion is the correct one.

You can’t write a persuasive paper about, say, “penguins.” You might write a report about penguins; however, you would not be trying to persuade readers of anything. You would just be telling them about penguins.

Fact vs. Opinion

Papers that just give information are filled with facts. Papers that persuade must be filled with facts and opinions.

What is a fact? A fact is a piece of information that can be

confirmed or verified. For example, you can confirm that sea water

tastes salty. (Simply have someone take a sip of it!)

You can confirm that Johnny Depp was in Pirates of the Caribbean. (Go to a video store and check out a copy.)

Fact vs. Opinion

What is an opinion? An opinion is simply a point of view that

someone holds. It is a fact that some tomatoes are red. It is an opinion that tomatoes taste

disgusting. It is a fact that Sponge Bob Square Pants

is a television show. It is an opinion that it is the funniest

cartoon on television.

Fact vs. Opinion

Your turn. Test your ability to distinguish between fact and opinion.

Fact? Opinion?

Taylor Lautner plays Jacob in the Twilight movies.

Taylor Lautner is good looking. Carrie Underwood has won a CMA

award for country music. Country music sounds like a group of

dying alley cats. Fall is the best season because of

milder temperatures and changing leaves.

Fact? Opinion?

Monster Truck-A-Thons are tacky. 6th graders are more responsible

than their parents think. Split pea soup should be banned

from all school cafeteria menus. A hybrid vehicle runs on a

combination of gas and electricity. Gettysburg is the site of the largest

battle of the Civil War.

So…now let’s begin thinking in terms of pros and cons… (these will be your opinion, of course!)

What are the pros and cons of:

the movie rating system allowing 16 year olds to get a driver’s

license using net books in the classroom

The Power of Three

A good persuasive paper will have at least three specific reasons that will support the argument.

Here is an example of what not to write: P.E. is the best class in school.

Instead...

The Power of Three

P.E. class is an important part of school because… nutrition experts recommend that

people exercise every day, students need a physical break from all

of the thinking they have to do in school, and P.E. helps promote a good habit of

physical fitness.

The Power of Three

Your turn – in your groups… Pick one of the topics below, make

an opinion statement, and then back it up with three reasons I should agree with you. the environment “Mature” rated video games bullying