A Persuasive Letter Part A Persuasive Letter Part

TwoTwo

Ms. TanMs. Tan

English 9English 9

AudienceAudience�� When writing a persuasive letter (essay or When writing a persuasive letter (essay or

whatever), KNOW YOUR AUDIENCEwhatever), KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE

�� Formal vs. Casual languageFormal vs. Casual language

�� AgeAge

�� GenderGender

�� Values and ethicsValues and ethics

�� This is your audienceThis is your audience

Thesis StatementThesis Statement

�� A thesis is a oneA thesis is a one--sentence statement sentence statement

about your topic that is written in the about your topic that is written in the

Introduction ParagraphIntroduction Paragraph

�� It gives the writer a purpose and directionIt gives the writer a purpose and direction

�� It gives the reader a It gives the reader a ““previewpreview”” of what to of what to

expect about the contentexpect about the content

�� It must make an assertion (decision or It must make an assertion (decision or

claim) about a topicclaim) about a topic

Thesis StatementsThesis Statements

�� Which one is the thesis statement?Which one is the thesis statement?

�� Physical education is a class at our school. Physical education is a class at our school.

�� Physical education is a valuable class at our Physical education is a valuable class at our school.school.

�� Which one is the thesis statement?Which one is the thesis statement?

�� The principal at Alvarado requires students to The principal at Alvarado requires students to stay one hour after school to complete stay one hour after school to complete homework. homework.

�� The principal at Alvarado unfairly requires The principal at Alvarado unfairly requires students to stay one hour after school to students to stay one hour after school to complete homework.complete homework.

Thesis StatementThesis Statement

�� On the top of your worksheet (Circle Map On the top of your worksheet (Circle Map

side), write your Thesis Statement.side), write your Thesis Statement.

�� Make sure it gives your opinionMake sure it gives your opinion

�� Make sure you use your words carefullyMake sure you use your words carefully

�� Highlight or underline it!!!Highlight or underline it!!!

Pros and ConsPros and Cons

�� In order to make an effective and In order to make an effective and

persuasive claim, consider ARGUMENTS persuasive claim, consider ARGUMENTS

and COUNTERARGUMENTSand COUNTERARGUMENTS

�� Divide your Circle Map into two parts: FOR Divide your Circle Map into two parts: FOR

UNIFORMS (Pros) & AGAINST UNIFORMS (Pros) & AGAINST

UNIFORMS (Cons)UNIFORMS (Cons)

Uniforms?

Pros (For Uniforms) Cons (Against)

Thesis + Reasons = PersuasiveThesis + Reasons = Persuasive

�� Thesis: Boa constrictors can be very Thesis: Boa constrictors can be very educational pets.educational pets.

�� They teach responsibility.They teach responsibility.

�� They come from South America.They come from South America.

�� Their owners will learn many facts about Their owners will learn many facts about reptiles.reptiles.

�� Do the reasons support the thesis? Why or Do the reasons support the thesis? Why or why not?why not?

Thesis + Reasons = PersuasiveThesis + Reasons = Persuasive

�� Thesis: Elementary school is very important.Thesis: Elementary school is very important.

�� Almost every neighborhood in the US has an Almost every neighborhood in the US has an

elementary school.elementary school.

�� Without an elementary school education, you Without an elementary school education, you

would have trouble in middle school.would have trouble in middle school.

�� Elementary school teaches children many basic Elementary school teaches children many basic

skills needed for the future.skills needed for the future.

�� Do the reasons support the thesis? Why or Do the reasons support the thesis? Why or

why not?why not?

ReasonsReasons

�� From your Circle Map, choose THREE From your Circle Map, choose THREE

GOOD REASONS that will most strongly GOOD REASONS that will most strongly

support your thesis.support your thesis.

�� Circle or highlight them.Circle or highlight them.

�� Choose one counterargument (from the Choose one counterargument (from the

opposite side) that you can refute or have opposite side) that you can refute or have

a good defense against.a good defense against.

�� Underline or highlight in another color.Underline or highlight in another color.

DetailsDetails

�� Your Reasons will become your topic Your Reasons will become your topic sentences.sentences.

�� You need good detailsYou need good details

�� Consider the Reason: Consider the Reason: ““Elementary school Elementary school teaches children many basic skills.teaches children many basic skills.””

�� What might be details that can explain this?What might be details that can explain this?

�� ““Elementary students learn fundamental Elementary students learn fundamental concepts like the alphabet, spelling, grammar, concepts like the alphabet, spelling, grammar, writing, and simple mathematics.writing, and simple mathematics.””

�� ““This is also the age when they learn how to This is also the age when they learn how to behave and interact with other students.behave and interact with other students.””

Introduction ParagraphIntroduction Paragraph

�� Use an attentionUse an attention--grabbing technique to grabbing technique to

introduce your position.introduce your position.

�� Startling fact, a quote from a famous Startling fact, a quote from a famous

person, a research fact, or a humorous person, a research fact, or a humorous

story.story.

�� Write a thesis statement that clearly states Write a thesis statement that clearly states

your opinion.your opinion.

ExampleExample

� Every day, millions of teenagers spend between six and eight hours in America’s high schools. They sit at their desks, listen to their teachers, and do their school work. In some of these schools, however, they are also forced to dress in school uniforms. This restriction is really too much. Rowland High School students should not be required to wear uniforms because they cause more harm than gain benefits.

�� Underline your thesis statementUnderline your thesis statement

Conclusion ParagraphConclusion Paragraph

�� Brings closure to the argumentBrings closure to the argument

�� Restate positionRestate position

�� Summarize argumentSummarize argument

�� SO WHAT??? Why is my position SO WHAT??? Why is my position

important?important?

ExampleExample

In conclusion, in our district, students should not be forced to wear uniforms. This is because they take away a student’s sense of individuality, they do not allow for self-expression, and they do not save families any money. There are already plenty of restrictions upon high school students, and these rules and regulations are acceptable because they help maintain order on a daily basis. However, mandating school uniforms would not be a helpful regulation. Uniforms may seem like a good idea at first, but in the end they would do more harm than good.

This is where my introduction paragraph

goes. It also contains a thesis statement,

which I have underlined.

Reason #1 Reason #2 Reason #3

Write details

about

Reason #1

Write details

about

Reason #2

Write details

about

Reason #3

Put an * on the paragraph

where you will address a

counterargument

This is where the conclusion

goesE

Restate position, summarize

argument, and say why my

argument is important to consider.

Transition Phrases and WordsTransition Phrases and Words�� IllustrationIllustration

�� Thus, for example, for instance, namely, to illustrate, in Thus, for example, for instance, namely, to illustrate, in other words, in particular, specifically, such as.other words, in particular, specifically, such as.

�� EmphasisEmphasis�� Above all, indeed, truly, of course, certainly, surely, in fact,Above all, indeed, truly, of course, certainly, surely, in fact,

really, in truth, again, besides, also, furthermore, in really, in truth, again, besides, also, furthermore, in addition.addition.

�� ExamplesExamples�� For example, for instance, to illustrate, thus, in other For example, for instance, to illustrate, thus, in other

words, as an illustration, in particular.words, as an illustration, in particular.

�� Consequence Or ResultConsequence Or Result

�� So that, with the result that, thus, consequently, hence, So that, with the result that, thus, consequently, hence, accordingly, for this reason, therefore, so, because, since, accordingly, for this reason, therefore, so, because, since, due to, as a result, in other words, then.due to, as a result, in other words, then.

Transition for CounterargumentTransition for Counterargument

�� SOME MAY SAYSOME MAY SAYEE

�� That cats make better pets than dogsThat cats make better pets than dogs

�� ButButEE

�� There is a reason why dogs are manThere is a reason why dogs are man’’s (or s (or womanwoman’’s) best friend. s) best friend.

�� SOME MAY SAYSOME MAY SAYEE

�� That driving without a seatbelt is funThat driving without a seatbelt is fun

�� ButButEE

�� More accidents can be prevented by being More accidents can be prevented by being safe.safe.

Have you ever been to a party or public function

where you felt out of place because of what you were

wearing? Maybe you did not have the latest fashion

because your budget would not allow you to spend

much on clothes. Everyday, many students feel self-

conscious of their clothes, and this can be solved if

students at RHS wore uniforms. Please consider the

following before making your final decision.

Allows time for

more other

activities

Less costly

to parents

Teenagers need

to express

themselves

Won’t hang out at

malls

Can spend time

with families or

comm service

Single parents

work hard

Money for

college

People label

those who can’t

dress

Everyone would

be equal

Put an * on the paragraph

where you will address a

counterargument

There is no doubt that requiring uniforms can solve many problems for both students, parents, and even the school. It gives families more time to spend with one another, parents won’t feel financially burdened, and students will feel more comfortable at school. While teenagers must express themselves, they should also focus on their academics. This is why I would urge you to consider my position on uniforms.

HomeworkHomework

�� Complete your Flee Map:Complete your Flee Map:

�� Introduction with Thesis statement underlinedIntroduction with Thesis statement underlined

�� 3 Reasons (with details) + One with a 3 Reasons (with details) + One with a

counterargumentcounterargument

�� Conclusion paragraphConclusion paragraph