The Persuasive Essay

Objective

• To understand how to write a persuasive essay.

Terms for Review

• What is a Persuasive Essay?

• An essay that presents a point of view and a counter point of view with the intent to persuade or convince.

Terms for Review

Before we start, let’s quickly review some vocabulary!

Terms for Review:

Definitions

• What is an “ISSUE”?

a topic on which people hold different, and often strong, opinions

Terms for Review:

• Topic Sentence/ Thesis Statement:

- a sentence that states the topic of an essay and the writer’s opinion about the topic.

Terms for Review:

• Argument:

- the writer’s presentation of reasons and evidence to prove the validity of the thesis

Terms for Review:

• Counterargument:

- the writer’s acknowledgement that other people may not share the same opinion

Terms for Review:

• Transitions:

- words or phrases that show how sentences or ideas connect to each other

Terms for Review:

• Public voice:

- a more formal use of the language than everyday speech, the language of business and news reporting; the opposite is private voice, the language between friends, often involving slang and incomplete sentences

Organization

How do we organize a persuasive essay?

• The persuasive composition has a specific organizational pattern:

• Introduction (Hook/Lead + History+ Thesis Statement

• Argument (2-3 paragraphs)

• Counterargument & Rebuttal (1 paragraph)

• Conclusion

The Prompt

• What is the best sport for children to play? In this writing test you will write a persuasive essay to convince the reader of your position. Give convincing reasons that support your positions and address the concerns of those who would argue against your position.

Outline

Thesis = Soccer is the ideal sport for children

teaches teamwork --every position has a job--everyone must work together to win

--physically smaller--not as athletic

--work together wellhomeschool

too intimidating for some

learning teamwork necessary

argument

counter

rebuttal

Conclusion

Paragraph One:Thesis

• Hook + History+ Thesis Statement

Hook- Parents often wonder what is the best sport for children to play.

History/Background- Sports are an important part of growing up.

Thesis-Although there are many sports, I

believe soccer is an ideal sport for children

Transitions for argument:

One reason

First,

Expand Your Argument

One reason is that soccer teaches teamwork. Each position has a specific job. Forwards have the responsibility of scoring goals. The fullbacks’ job is defense, and the halfbacks assist both forwards and fullbacks. Defense of the goal is the duty of the goalie. In order to win all must do their jobs well and rely on each other for help.

Transitions for counterargument:

• Certainly,

• Of course,

• Admittedly,

• Obviously,

Expand Your Counter

• Certainly, team sports can intimidate children. Some children may be physically smaller than others. Age group teams are meant to solve this problem, but it is not unusual to see large differences of height and weight in children of the same age. Others may not be as athletic as other team members. Children are particularly sensitive about how they compare to their peers. When they cannot run as fast as other team members or are not as agile, they fear ridicule

Transitions for rebuttal:

• However,

• On the other hand,

• Nevertheless,

• Conversely,

• Yet,

• Still,

Expand Your Rebuttal

However, learning to work as part of a team is essential to success in many other areas. Children have to learn to cooperate both at school and home. In school students are expected to work together without conflict. Many teachers use cooperative groups to teach. At home children are expected to be part of the family team and help with chores that need to be done. When they are older, these children may have a job that requires teamwork. Only rarely does a person work in job that does not require working with others. Office workers have to work together to accomplish the tasks given to them. Construction workers have to be part of a team effort to finish buildings on time and on budget.

Remember to self edit before peer editing!

• Level Three• __ capital• p. punctuation• sp spelling• / lowercase letter• frag. sentence

fragment• RO run-on sentence• n.c. not clear• This is wrong• ^ word left out

awk. Awkward

w.c. word choicenot parallel

agr. subject/verbagreement

t. verb tense

Soccer: An Ideal Sport for Children Sports are an important part of growing up. Parents often wonder what is the best sport

for children to play. Although there are many sports, soccer is an ideal sport for children. One reason is that soccer teaches teamwork. Each position has a specific job. Forwards

have the responsibility of scoring goals. The fullbacks’ job is defense, and the halfbacks assist both forwards and fullbacks. Defense of the goal is the duty of the goalie. In order to win all must do their jobs well and rely on each other for help.

Certainly, team sports can intimidate children. Some children may be physically smaller than others. Age group teams are meant to solve this problem, but it is not unusual to see large differences of height and weight in children of the same age. Others may not be as athletic as other team members. Children are particularly sensitive about how they compare to their peers. When they cannot run as fast as other team members or are not as agile, they fear ridicule.

However, learning to work as part of a team is essential to success in many other areas. Children have to learn to cooperate both at school and home. In school students are expected to work together without conflict. Many teachers use cooperative groups to teach. At home children are expected to be part of the family team and help with chores that need to be done. When they are older, these children may have a job that requires teamwork. Only rarely does a person work in job that does not require working with others. Office workers have to work together to accomplish the tasks given to them. Construction workers have to be part of a team effort to finish buildings on time and on budget.

Therefore, parents should encourage their children to play soccer. While some children may feel intimidated at the beginning, by learning to be part of a team, they will be preparing themselves for future success.

Evaluate • A clear thesis statement?

• Obvious organization?

• Strong transitions?

• Specific examples & evidence?

• A memorable conclusion?

EXIT CARD!

• What are the 5 parts of a persuasive essay?

• Thesis, argument, counter- argument, rebuttal, and conclusion

• Give examples of transitions for each part:

Write a Persuasive Essay

• Your are told that you can can go on a field trip in the area. In order to do this, you must write a letter or an essay explaining why you have chosen the best place to visit. Give convincing reasons to support your opinion and address the concerns of those who would argue against your position. Use specific details.

Outline

Thesis =

Reason/Fact/Detail elaborate

Reason/Fact/Detail

Reason/Fact/Detail

argument

counter

rebuttal

Conclusion

elaborate

elaborate

Step 1:

Instructions:

Step 2

Think of a topic that is important to you

     Examples:

     1.Should students be allowed to have cell phones in elementary and high schools?

2.Should students have to wear uniforms?

3.Should college athletes be paid for playing?

4.Should the voting age be lowered to thirteen?

5.Should the driving age be raised to twenty-one?

6.Should students be paid for having good grades?

7.Should students’ textbooks be replaced by notebook computers?

8.Should schools raise money by selling candy and sugary soft drinks to students?

9.Should schools serve french-fries and fried potato products to students at lunch?

10.Should girls be allowed to play on boys sports teams?

11.Should boys and girls be in separate classes?

12.Should people who download music and movies illegally be punished?

13.Should school athletes have to be on the honor roll to play in Tournaments?

14.Should schools offer fast food options like McDonalds or Taco Bell?

15.Should smoking be allowed at parks and other outdoor public venues?

16.Should cities offer free public Wi-Fi?

17.Should the government place a tax on junk food and fatty snacks?

18.Should people travelling in airplanes have to undergo intensive security screenings?

19.Should restaurants be allowed to sell genetically modified chickens under the name “chicken”?

20.Should people be allowed to keep exotic animals like chimpanzees or tigers?

     21.Should larger passengers have to pay for two plane or movie theater tickets?

22.Should people have to get a license to become parents?

23.Should there be tougher federal restrictions for content on the internet?

24.Should people be allowed to curse on daytime television?

25.Should sexual education be taught in public schools?

26.Should students who commit cyberbullying be suspended from school?

27.Should corporations be allowed to advertise in schools?

28.Should students be allowed to eat during class?

29.Should more be done to protect and preserve endangered animals?

30.Is it appropriate for students and teachers to be friends on Facebook?

31.Should students have open campus lunch periods?

32.Should the death penalty be used to punish violent criminals?

33.Should students learn about world religions in public schools?

34.Should schools start later in the morning?

35.Should scientists be allowed to test products intended for human use on animals?

36.Should people be allowed to keep pit-bull dogs?

37.Should there be an ordinance citing people who fail to recycle $50?

38.Should there be an ordinance citing people who play music too loudly $50?

39.Should celebrities who break the law face stricter penalties?

Step 3

     BRAINSTORM

MAKE A LIST OF

BOTH

THE PRO’S AND CON’S!

Step 4

In a single sentence, state your proposal or position. What’s the main idea that you’re trying to get across to your audience? What do you want the reader to agree to?

 

When thinking about your thesis statement you should consider the following:

Make it a straightforward simple sentence

Be sure you believe in it.

Make sure it’s not too broad!

Thesis Statement Example:

Prompt: Convince your reader whether school uniforms should be mandatory in public schools.

Weak Thesis Examples:Too broad: It is outrageous for students to be forced to wear school uniforms.

Too narrow: Students who are forced to wear school uniforms have their creativity stifled.

Off topic: When kids grow up, they will have bad memories of school.

Strong Thesis Example: School uniforms should not be mandatory in public schools because it would stifle

students’ creativity, take away students’ rights, and cause students to lose interest in school.

Thesis Statement Generators:

http://www.mpcfaculty.net/molly_may/thesis_generator.html

http://www.ozline.com/electraguide/thesis.php

*REMEMBER THAT YOU CAN CHANGE THIS LATER IF YOU NEED TO!

Step 5

     

Organize and Outline your Ideas

Body Paragraph #1 (Argument One)-Topic Sentence (outline argument tied to thesis statement)--Support your argument with facts, examples, statistics, and/or anecdotes.--“So What”; analysis. Explain why your argument matters.

_

Transition Word:

Body Paragraph # 3(Counter-argument & rebuttal)--Topic Sentence (outline counter-argument)--Support* the counter-argument with facts, examples, statistics, and/or anecdotes. *Don’t support it too well. You have to be able to rebut it. --Rebuttal: knock down the counter-argument. Don’t give it a chance to put doubt in your readers’ minds.

Transition Word:

Body Paragraph #2 (Argument Two)--Topic Sentence (outline argument tied to thesis statement)--Support your argument with facts, examples, statistics, and/or anecdotes.

--“So What”; analysis. Explain why your argument matters. _

Transition Word:

__________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ __________________________

__________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ __________________________

INTRODUCTION:--Lead/Hook --Preview/History argument one and argument two--Thesis (Focus) Statement (this is the “glue” that holds your essay together)

__________________________ ____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ __________________________

CONCLUSION--Restate your thesis statement (use different words)--Review argument one and argument two; review with your reader what they’ve learned.--Clincher/Reflective parting words: leave them with something to think about.

__________________________ __________________________

Step 6

•      

Write Your Essay(Introduction, Body, Counterarguement

Paragraphs, Conclusion)

Step 7

•       REVISE(Self Edit)

Step 8

•      Proof Read and Edit

(Peer Edit)

Step 10

•      Write your Essay(Self Edit)

Step 10

•       TYPE YOUR ESSAY

(computer lab!)

Step 10

•      Read your Essay one more time

before you submit it!