Writing a Persuasive Research Essay

What is persuasive writing? It is 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.

Fact vs. Opinion To write a persuasive paper you must make a point and try to convince others that your point is the correct one. Facts are pieces of information that can be confirmed or verified. Opinions are simply points of view that people hold. For example: Tomatoes taste disgusting.

The Argument and Reasons Choose your side of the issue. For example: Cell phone use should be permitted in class. Then, you must produce/write three reasons that support that argument. The argument and three reasons form your thesis statement.

Brainstorming You have chosen a side and three reasons; however, since this includes research you should do a little brainstorming. Ask yourself: ◦ What do I already know? ◦ What do I need to know?  What do I need to research?  What facts should I be looking for to support the thesis?  What is a possible counter-argument?  Where should I look for my information?

Finding Evidence You must provide evidence to support your thesis statement. That evidence should come from reliable sources. ◦ Interviews ◦ Reliable web sites – use common sense. A web site with photos of someone’s kittens or a list of the world’s cutest boys is NOT reliable. ◦ Current magazines and journals (nothing over 5 years old) ◦ Current books (nothing over 10 years old)

Databases Flushing High School subscribes to numerous databases. Within these databases you can find magazines, journals, books, images, graphs, etc. A database is not considered a web site. Most of the databases will correctly cite the article, book, etc. in MLA format. You only need to copy and paste it. Some minor adjustments to font and size may be needed as well. A copy of the databases and passwords is on the handout you received and can be found on the library wall. Let us explore a few now

Citing Sources Your best defense against plagiarism. Citing sources simply means to tell where you found material you have included in your work. Writers should cite sources when they: ◦ Use quotes or copy word-for-word from a source. ◦ Paraphrase or rewrite materials from another source. ◦ Use ideas expressed by someone else. ◦ Create ideas that are based on someone else’s material or ideas.

Common Knowledge This is the kind of information you do not need to cite. Common knowledge is a body of information that is commonly known and that can be found in a variety of sources. For example, it is common knowledge that penguins live in Antarctica. If you are ever in doubt about what is common knowledge and what isn’t, play it safe and cite a source.

How to Cite Sources Step One: Within the paper ◦ To give credit to a source in your paper, put in parenthesis the author’s last name and the page number (if available) where you found the information you are citing. If the author’s name is not provided, use the title of the work (the first thing listed in the source on the works cited page). ◦ Example: Most people have heard the saying, “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet” (Shakespeare 45).

How to Cite Sources Other option: Using the author’s last name and/or article title within the sentence. ◦ If you don’t want to parenthetically cite you can introduce your quote or paraphrase in the following ways:  In his article, Smith states, “Pandas are the most lovable creatures on Earth.” (this is a direct quote)  However, the article “Pandas in Captivity” states that they can be very aggressive when anyone enters their habitat. (this is a paraphrase)  “Tigers blend into their environment well” states Barber in his book, The Second King of the Jungle. (this is a direct quote)

How to cite sources Step Two: The Works Cited page ◦ This is a separate page at the end of your paper. It includes all the information about every book, magazine article, web page, etc. you used in your research. ◦ Citation Machine and Easy Bib are two websites designed to correctly format your sources. I have also provided you with an example of what a finished works cited page should look like. ◦ Example: Stewart, Jon. The Daily Show with John Stewart Presents America (The Book): A Citizen’s Guide to Democracy Inaction. New York City: Warner Books, 2004.

Writing the persuasive essay

The Introduction Step One: begin with an attention grabber/bold statement. This can be a quotation. Step Two: Provide a statistic or two that lead into your thesis and support your bold statement. Step Three: Write your thesis statement

Writing with Transitions Connecting sentences and paragraphs with transition words help make your writing flow more smoothly. They are especially important in a persuasive essay. Transition words help you lead the reader in the direction you want them to take. Examples: ◦ Student lockers are school property. They contain a student’s personal items. Student lockers should be protected by privacy laws. ◦ Although student lockers are school property, they contain a student’s personal items. Therefore, student lockers should be protected by privacy laws. Refer to the list of transition words you received for endless possibilities.

Body Paragraphs Step One: Topic sentence (one of the arguments from your thesis) Step Two: fact/quote/paraphrase to support topic sentence Step Three: A sentence that leads into your next fact or explains the previous fact. Should be your voice Step Four: Another fact/quote/paraphrase to support topic sentence Step Five: Closing sentence – relate it back to your topic sentence. Your words

Effective Evidence (Is it RAD?) Relevant means that the evidence fits the argument you are making. Accurate simply means that you are precisely and correctly conveying your facts. All evidence should be accurate. Detailed evidence is more accurate than vague information. Details can also be more compelling.

Counter-argument & Rebuttal In one of your body paragraphs, it is important to show the opposing side of the argument. You should tell what the other side thinks and then go on to tell what is wrong with that point of view. Use transition words to make this effective. Examples: ◦ Some experts believe that a low-carb diet is healthy, but the American Heart Association still recommends a low-fat diet as the best way to stay healthy. ◦ While many people purchase animals at a pet store, it is much more compassionate to adopt an animal from your local humane society.

Never to do this…. Never write: ◦ I think ◦ I feel ◦ I believe ◦ Sort of ◦ Kind of ◦ A lot ◦ In this essay I will…. ◦ This essay is about… ◦ Don’t talk to the reader ◦ Ask several questions in a row ◦ Use the pronoun “you” – that is talking to the reader

The Conclusion Step One: bold statement about your argument Step Two: reword your thesis statement Step Three: give your readers something to think about *NEVER introduce a new argument in a conclusion.