Persuasive Writing: Introductions & Stating Your Position

How do I start? Purpose of Introduction: Give reader context Brief introduction to the issue presented in the prompt Grab the reader’s attention Engage the reader in the issue head-on

How do I start? Introduction requirements: No more than 5 lines (of the 26 lines available) This is about 3 sentences Last sentence is your THESIS statement

How do I start? Descriptive segment a sentence or two describing your side of the prompt uses imagery to draw the reader in describes what the reader may see, feel, smell, taste, hear

How do I start? Anecdote a short and interesting story or an amusing event a relevant personal experience must directly support the prompt short and sweet – only about 2 sentences

How do I start? Bandwagon statement purpose of this technique is to make the audience think and act in a way that majority follows Joining the “bandwagon” = I’m going to do/say/believe _______ because everyone else is doing/saying/believing ________. Antony used this in his funeral speech to turn the people against Cassius and Brutus.

How do I state my position? Persuasive prompts are written in a way for the writer to choose a position (or side) that they then have to defend. Similar to an argument choose your side and defend it with reasons and evidence/examples

How do I state my position? Position statement = THESIS statement Last sentence of introduction Must be CLEAR and DIRECT Must acknowledge the “other side”

Persuasive Writing: Providing Strong Reasons to Support your Position

How do I support my position? The reasons you give to support your position statement can make or break your essay. These are very important! Below are attributes (or characteristics) of strong reasons: • matter to the audience • sensible • important • usually expressed positively rather than negatively • Each reason is different, not similar to one already discussed

How do I support my position? Brainstorm! T-chart List reasons to support both sides You need to know why people might support the “other side” Choose the side that has the strongest reasons

Persuasive Writing: Strong Reasons Strong reasons matter to the audience reasons need to be aligned with the audience, as different things matter to different people (children vs. adults, politicians vs. citizens, etc.) Make sure you know who your audience is before you choose your reasons!

Persuasive Writing: Strong Reasons Strong reasons are sensible and important think of reasons that are important and sensible to your reader/audience. An example reason: Wearing uniforms decreases the amount of bullying in schools.

Persuasive Writing: Strong Reasons They are usually expressed positively rather than negatively: People are more likely to respond and agree to positive reasons over negative reasons Example: Uniforms are a cheaper purchase for parents.

Persuasive Writing: Strong Reasons Each reason is different, not similar to one already discussed: Once you have your reasons you want to make sure all three are different and independent. Example: Uniforms decrease bullying, are a cheaper purchase for parents, and create a sense of belonging and togetherness among the students.

Persuasive Writing: Supporting Details and Examples

How do I support my reasons? the details you use to support those reasons give your essay “LIFE!” Each reason that you give in your essay will need to be supported by evidence Support/Evidence includes: details, examples, facts, data and any other piece of information that shows why you believe in the reason you gave in your essay

How do I support my reasons? persuasive writing can contain opinions. However, those opinions must always be supported by facts and details. make sure your evidence is relevant (or closely related) to the reason it should be supporting If it is off-topic, it will make your essay seem unreliable and will work against you.

How do I support my reasons? Example Position Statement: Our school should implement a mandatory uniform policy for all students. Reason: It reduces the amount of disruptions in class Reason: Uniforms create a sense of oneness and uniformity among all students Reason: It raises students’ expectations of themselves in their appearance Evidence:

How do I support my reasons? Reason: It reduces the amount of disruptions in class Reason: Uniforms create a sense of oneness and uniformity among all students Reason: It raises students’ expectations of themselves in their appearance Evidence: Students are unable to bully students based on what labels they wear and the focus on fashion will be shifted to where it should be, academics. Evidence: As on athletic teams, uniforms are worn for immediate identification and to inspire a feeling of 'oneness.' A sense of loyalty emerges from inside, as does an extra effort to perform at the student's best... Evidence: When dressed neatly and seriously, students tend to behave seriously. Students seem to feel more confident in the way they look, and so they have more confidence in themselves..."

How do I support my reasons? Brainstorming is a two-step process with persuasive essays The graphic organizer below can be used when brainstorming for evidence to support your reasons: Reason 1 Reason 2 Reason 3 Detail/Example

How do I support my reasons? Use HELP to bring in examples and details H = History Historical Movements (Civil Rights, Women’s Suffrage) Events (Pearl Harbor, 9/11) People, Groups (MLK Jr., Founding Fathers)

How do I support my reasons? Use HELP to bring in examples and details E = Events Current events – local, national, international Life events – celebrations, losses (universal) Personal Experiences – achieving a goal, hardships, etc. (individual) Can overlap with historical events

How do I support my reasons? Use HELP to bring in examples and details L = Literature Novels, plays, short stories read in or out of class Movies TV shows Comic books

How do I support my reasons? Use HELP to bring in examples and details P = People Celebrities (athletes, musicians, historical figures, etc.) Pop culture Friends Family members Historical Figures People in the news Coaches, mentors, teachers, youth leaders

Persuasive Writing: Counter-arguments- What do I do with those?

Counter-arguments What is a counter-argument? A counter-argument is the viewpoint from someone who does not agree with your position on a specific topic.

Counter-arguments If it shows the viewpoint of the side I DON’T agree with, why do I need to have it in my essay? Showing the viewpoint of those who do not agree with your position shows that you have considered of both sides of the issue. This helps strengthen your essay!

Counter-arguments Here is one example of an opposing viewpoint and a counter-argument: Opposing Viewpoint: People like to express their feelings and creativeness through their clothes Counter-Argument: Creativity is important, but students can still express themselves through artwork, sports, hairstyles, and other mediums.

Counter-arguments There are some specific transitions that we can use solely with counter-arguments. Transitions and key words/phrases are important when writing counter-arguments.

Counter-arguments Ways to begin: It is understood that some Even though some Although some Some people think/want It may be that some Some people may feel Despite the belief that The idea to _____ deserves some merit

Counter-arguments Can be one sentence or two. Ways to transition: ; however, ______________________. , but in fact _____________________. What this argument fails to consider is _____________. This view sounds convincing at first but ____________.

Counter-arguments Some examples of these transitions used: Some people think that kids should get paid for grades. I don’t agree. Parents already provide their children with a home and food. They spend their money on clothes and extracurricular things like after school organizations and entertainment, like movies. Kids should earn these things privileges through good grades.

Counter-arguments Some examples of these transitions used: The idea to have school year round deserves some merit. Going to school more should make kids learn more. However, kids can learn not only just at school but also through life experiences. The summer time is a chance to travel and explore new places, to join fun new teams and clubs, and even spend more time with their family.

Counter-arguments Some examples of these transitions used: While it is common for students to come to tutoring right before the test, there are better ways to prepare. The day before a test is the most busy for the teacher because there are often 50 students looking for last minute help. When this happens, the teacher can’t actually help many students well. For this reason, students should come to tutoring a couple times a week, each week and study on their own the day before a test. Because most students do not come to tutoring on a weekly basis, the students who do come will get one-on-one attention and learn more. They will not need the “last minute cram session” the day before the test.

Counter-arguments Some examples of these transitions used: While it is common for students to come to tutoring right before the test, there are better ways to prepare. The day before a test is the most busy for the teacher because there are often 50 students looking for last minute help. When this happens, the teacher can’t actually help many students well. For this reason, students should come to tutoring a couple times a week, each week and study on their own the day before a test. Because most students do not come to tutoring on a weekly basis, the students who do come will get one-on-one attention and learn more. They will not need the “last minute cram session” the day before the test.

Persuasive Writing: Conclusion & Call to Action

How do I end my essay? You’ve done all the “work” of the essay, so this should be the easiest part! Two things left to do…

How do I end my essay? Restate your position Do NOT introduce new information/reasons/evidence Start with a conclusion cue word/phrase Finally, Clearly, Once again, It is clear that

How do I end my essay? Call to Action – last sentence of essay Last chance to be persuasive Tell the reader what you want from him/her This is a statement of command – directing the reader to take action of some kind.

How do I end my essay? Call to Action – last sentence of essay Examples: (various prompts) Speak up for those who can’t, adopt a pet today! Participate in your city’s recycling program. Vote this fall to make sure your voice is heard!