The Facts about PERSUASIVE/ARGUME NTATIVE Writing Let’s break this down

Pick a Topic Pick a topic you think would be easy to find PROOF for. Pick a topic you think would be easy to find PROOF for. Pick a topic you understand! Pick a topic you understand! Pick a topic you feel strongly about. Pick a topic you feel strongly about. YOU CANNOT BE WISHY WASHY, SO PICK SOMETHING FOR WHICH YOU CAN MAKE A STRONG ARGUMENT!! YOU CANNOT BE WISHY WASHY, SO PICK SOMETHING FOR WHICH YOU CAN MAKE A STRONG ARGUMENT!!

Reasons/Arguments Now that you’ve chosen a topic, write down three reasons for why! Now that you’ve chosen a topic, write down three reasons for why! Ex: Atticus is a hero Ex: Atticus is a hero 1. He defends Tom 1. He defends Tom 2. He teaches kids good lessons 2. He teaches kids good lessons 3. He changes the mentality of others. 3. He changes the mentality of others.

Take 5 Circle a topic and write down three reasons for why you believe that topic. Circle a topic and write down three reasons for why you believe that topic.

Step Two Now transfer your topic and your three reasons to your graphic organizer. Now transfer your topic and your three reasons to your graphic organizer.

Now Combine Combine your opinion (Ex- Atticus is a hero) and your three arguments in 1 sentence. Combine your opinion (Ex- Atticus is a hero) and your three arguments in 1 sentence.

Thesis Statements You’ve Just Created a Thesis Statement! 1-2 sentences (includes your opinion and 3 arguments.) Ex1: To Kill a Mockingbird should not be banned because it has good lessons, great characters, and allows children a chance to read classic literature. Ex1: To Kill a Mockingbird should not be banned because it has good lessons, great characters, and allows children a chance to read classic literature.

Introductions Ways to start: Ways to start: Anecdote (a story) Anecdote (a story) Facts (quotes from book) Facts (quotes from book) Professional opinions (internet) Professional opinions (internet)

Good Introductions Example 1: Anecdote Example 1: Anecdote Imagine living in the 1930’s and having no place to turn. Imagine suffering from racism and finding no answers, no justice, no help. This is what the premise of To Kill a Mockingbird is about. Tom Robinson, an innocent man, is being misjudged because of the color of his skin. This is an important story to teach. Imagine living in the 1930’s and having no place to turn. Imagine suffering from racism and finding no answers, no justice, no help. This is what the premise of To Kill a Mockingbird is about. Tom Robinson, an innocent man, is being misjudged because of the color of his skin. This is an important story to teach.

Good introductions Quote: Quote: “As you get older it is harder to have heroes, but it is sort of necessary,” (Ernest Hemmingway). Some would say a hero wears a cape. Some would say a hero leaps in front of a person to save them from being hit by a car. The truth is a hero can be all of those, or none. “As you get older it is harder to have heroes, but it is sort of necessary,” (Ernest Hemmingway). Some would say a hero wears a cape. Some would say a hero leaps in front of a person to save them from being hit by a car. The truth is a hero can be all of those, or none.

Bad Introductions Never start with your thesis statement or opinion! Never start with your thesis statement or opinion! Questions can be ok, but sometimes they can be boring! Questions can be ok, but sometimes they can be boring! “Im going to tell you...” “Im going to tell you...”

Take 10 For the next 10 minutes, write out an introduction for your essay. DO NOT START WITH YOUR THESIS STATEMENT! (If you have this, examine your intro. Is it good enough?) For the next 10 minutes, write out an introduction for your essay. DO NOT START WITH YOUR THESIS STATEMENT! (If you have this, examine your intro. Is it good enough?)

Take 2 Write your first topic sentence (topic sentence #1 on graphic organizer.) Write your first topic sentence (topic sentence #1 on graphic organizer.)

Ex of First Topic Sentences “First, Harper Lee teaches excellent lessons to her readers with this novel.” “First, Harper Lee teaches excellent lessons to her readers with this novel.” The symbolism in this novel makes the title perfect for this book. The symbolism in this novel makes the title perfect for this book.

Use transitions in your paragraphs like this: First, lastly, in addition to, therefore, also, furthermore, hence, likewise, similarily, however, otherwise, finally, in conclusion, for instance,for example, additionally, moreover. First, lastly, in addition to, therefore, also, furthermore, hence, likewise, similarily, however, otherwise, finally, in conclusion, for instance,for example, additionally, moreover.

2 nd and 3 rd Topic Sentences Use a transition! Use a transition! Example- “Not only does the book teach good lessons, it also has great characters.” Example- “Not only does the book teach good lessons, it also has great characters.” Should not say, “In this paragraph, I’m going to tell you.” Should not say, “In this paragraph, I’m going to tell you.”

Take 2 Write your 2 nd and 3 rd topic sentences! Write your 2 nd and 3 rd topic sentences! Take first topic sentence and combine with your second argument. Take first topic sentence and combine with your second argument. Take your second argument and combine with your third argument. Take your second argument and combine with your third argument.

The Three A’s ANSWER (Example) – your argument ANSWER (Example) – your argument ACTUAL Evidence – quote or paraphrase ACTUAL Evidence – quote or paraphrase ANALYSIS (Explanation)- analysis of example ANALYSIS (Explanation)- analysis of example

Question: Do the themes in TKAM teach the reader? ANSWER- The theme of the negative impact that prejudice has on a society in TKAM teaches an important lesson to its readers. ANSWER- The theme of the negative impact that prejudice has on a society in TKAM teaches an important lesson to its readers. ACTUAL Evidence- “I hope and pray I can get Jem and Scout through it without bitterness, and most of all without catching Maycomb’s usual disease” (Lee 88). ACTUAL Evidence- “I hope and pray I can get Jem and Scout through it without bitterness, and most of all without catching Maycomb’s usual disease” (Lee 88). ANALYSIS- Atticus will work to make sure, through talking and listening to Scout and Jem, that his children do not get infected with the town’s racism. He has seen first hand what Maycomb’s racist propensities can do and he does not want that for his children. ANALYSIS- Atticus will work to make sure, through talking and listening to Scout and Jem, that his children do not get infected with the town’s racism. He has seen first hand what Maycomb’s racist propensities can do and he does not want that for his children.

Evidence cont... In chapter 9, Atticus tells Jem and Scout that “simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win.” (p. 101) In chapter 9, Atticus tells Jem and Scout that “simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win.” (p. 101) After the trial, Atticus tells the children that “They’ve done it before and they did it again and when they do it- seems that only children weep.” (p. 285) After the trial, Atticus tells the children that “They’ve done it before and they did it again and when they do it- seems that only children weep.” (p. 285)

Analysis Explain (analyze) the Quote- meaning explain why the quote is important and how it proves your thesis statement. Explain (analyze) the Quote- meaning explain why the quote is important and how it proves your thesis statement.

Analysis Example “I hope and pray I can get Jem and Scout through it without bitterness, and most of all without catching Maycomb’s usual disease” (Lee 88). Atticus will work to make sure, through talking and listening to Scout and Jem, that his children do not get infected with the town’s racism. He has seen first hand what Maycomb’s racist propensities can do and he does not want that for his children. The bitterness that Atticus is referring to is the acrimonious relationship between the town’s white and black citizens. “I hope and pray I can get Jem and Scout through it without bitterness, and most of all without catching Maycomb’s usual disease” (Lee 88). Atticus will work to make sure, through talking and listening to Scout and Jem, that his children do not get infected with the town’s racism. He has seen first hand what Maycomb’s racist propensities can do and he does not want that for his children. The bitterness that Atticus is referring to is the acrimonious relationship between the town’s white and black citizens.

YOU WILL THEN REPEAT THIS PROCESS FOR EACH PIECE OF EVIDENCE AND FOR EACH BODY PARAGRAPH YOU WILL THEN REPEAT THIS PROCESS FOR EACH PIECE OF EVIDENCE AND FOR EACH BODY PARAGRAPH

Counter Arguments It’s when you introduce the other side’s argument, but then refute that argument with your own example. This strengthens your position by showing how the other side is not correct. It’s when you introduce the other side’s argument, but then refute that argument with your own example. This strengthens your position by showing how the other side is not correct.

Counter Arguments Though some may say that the themes in To Kill a Mockingbird do not teach meaningful lessons, most would argue that the book does! For instance, some may say that the reader does not learn anything they do not already know, but they would be wrong. Yes, we know that prejudice is evil, but Harper Lee clearly demonstrates this for the reader through Atticus’ actions and words. Though some may say that the themes in To Kill a Mockingbird do not teach meaningful lessons, most would argue that the book does! For instance, some may say that the reader does not learn anything they do not already know, but they would be wrong. Yes, we know that prejudice is evil, but Harper Lee clearly demonstrates this for the reader through Atticus’ actions and words.

Counter Arguments I introduced the other side I introduced the other side I gave an example for the other side. I gave an example for the other side. I refuted that side. I refuted that side. I gave an example for my own side. I gave an example for my own side.

Take 5 Think of one argument the OTHER side could say against your side! Think of one argument the OTHER side could say against your side! After you have that argument, think of something you can say against the other side’s argument! (Can’t be repeated) After you have that argument, think of something you can say against the other side’s argument! (Can’t be repeated)

Take 10 Now put both sides together and create your counter argument paragraph (remember your transition/topic sentence) Now put both sides together and create your counter argument paragraph (remember your transition/topic sentence)

Conclusions Wrap around/Echo Wrap around/Echo Comes back to original thesis statement and intro, but adds something new (strongest type.) Comes back to original thesis statement and intro, but adds something new (strongest type.) Punched statements- end with a powerful statement or question. Punched statements- end with a powerful statement or question.

Conclusion Example Echo: Echo: So again, picture living in the 1930’s with no hope for a bright future. This was the reality of so many Americans in America during that time. This novel must be taught in schools for three reasons: it has good lessons, great characters, and allows children a chance to read classic literature. Haverford must keep TKM on its list of wonderful literature books! So again, picture living in the 1930’s with no hope for a bright future. This was the reality of so many Americans in America during that time. This novel must be taught in schools for three reasons: it has good lessons, great characters, and allows children a chance to read classic literature. Haverford must keep TKM on its list of wonderful literature books!

Essay Format I. Intro paragraph with thesis embedded and 3 supporting arguments. I. Intro paragraph with thesis embedded and 3 supporting arguments. II. First supporting argument (remember topic sentences!) II. First supporting argument (remember topic sentences!) III. Second supporting argument III. Second supporting argument IV. Third Supporting argument IV. Third Supporting argument V. Counter Argument/Rebuttal V. Counter Argument/Rebuttal VI. Conclusion VI. Conclusion *Remember, in some persuasive essays, you have more than just 5 paragraphs in an essay! *Remember, in some persuasive essays, you have more than just 5 paragraphs in an essay!