Steps for Writing a Persuasive Essay

Persuasive Writing Create three columns in your journal KNOW WANT to know LEARNED Bullet information you know about persuasive writing Bullet information you WANT to know about persuasive writing Save this for what you have learned

The first two steps of the assignment provide information, but they are not the prompt. In fact, if you ignore these items, it will not affect your ability to write the essay. It is the third step of the assignment that is your PROMPT. This is what you must respond to in your essay. The final step reminds you of the essentials to include when writing the essay. Read the information in the box below.   Some argue that our so-called information age is really an “interruption age.” With smart phones in hand, we spend much of the day texting, tweeting, and surfing the Web. Rather than concentrating on big issues, we fill our heads with the trivia and gossip that interrupts our attention. So much information passes our way that we have trouble remembering any of it. Think carefully about this question: Do you believe that instant communication is helping or hurting us? Write an essay stating whether we live in an information age or an interruption age. Be sure to— *state your position clearly *use appropriate organization *provide specific support for your argument *choose your words carefully *edit your writing for grammar, mechanics, and sentences

Let’s Practice We’ll be practicing how to answer the prompt without using the read and think part in order to improve our scores.

books from the school library. STEP #1A READ the prompt. Circle the most important word in the prompt (the subject). State your position on whether school librarians should ban inappropriate books from the school library.

Now you do it: Circle the most important words in the prompt Now you do it: Circle the most important words in the prompt. Wavy underline words you don’t know and write the definition on the side. Write an essay stating your position on whether one should divulge information given in confidence.

STEP #1B Underline the other ideas you must address in your thesis (the subject). Should school librarians ban inappropriate books from the school library?

Now you do it: Write an essay stating your position on whether one should divulge information given in confidence.

Brainstorm a list of reasons for and against the issue or position. STEP #2 Brainstorm a list of reasons for and against the issue or position. Against banning books: --the Constitution allows us the freedom of speech, freedom of press --students need to learn to make responsible choices about what they read --students should not be sheltered from controversial world news --students can find inappropriate material on the Internet --the question of appropriate reading is debatable, it cannot be determined by one individual For banning books: --students are too young to make decisions about what they read --librarians don’t want parents mad at them --students should only read about pleasant and non-controversial topics

Now you do it: One should divulge information: One should not divulge information:

STEP #3 Choose the position you will argue. Either “YES, school librarians should censor books” OR “NO, school librarians should not censor books.” This becomes the center of your thesis.

Now choose a side based on your previous list: Write an essay stating your position on whether one should divulge information given in confidence.

STEP #4 Choose the two “reasons” for which you can write the best argument. --Each reason has to be developed and explained --Limit yourself (space management)

STEP #5 Write your THESIS: •Rearrange words from prompt into statement • Add “because” •Add two reasons This is the road map for the rest of your essay Example: School librarians should not ban books from the school library because students need to learn to choose for themselves and not to mention the fact that banning goes against the American Constitution. Write your own!

Now write your own THESIS: Don’t forget to rearrange words from the prompt into a statement • Add “because” •Add two reasons Remember the prompt: Write an essay stating your position on whether one should divulge information given in confidence. This is the road map for the rest of your essay

The logical conclusion is… The fact is… The truth is… Persuasive Phrases Include phrases like these to ensure the persuasive nature of your essay: It is certain that… The logical conclusion is… The fact is… The truth is… The correct perspective is… Common sense reveals that… The bottom line is… In reality,… The essential idea is… With certainty, a person can say that… In the majority of cases…

Divide your paper into four even boxes:

1st box=45 Seconds Prompt: Write an essay stating your position on whether one should divulge information given in confidence. State your claim about the prompt with two reasons. NEVER STOP WRITING!!!!!!!

Now count the number of words and write the number on the bottom right corner of the box.

2nd box=55 Seconds List the first reason why you are right. What reason or evidence exists to prove you are right? NEVER STOP WRITING

Now count the number of words and write the number on the bottom right corner of the box.

3rd box=55 Seconds List the second reason why you are right. Write the reasons or evidence that exists that proves why you are right. NEVER STOP WRITING

Now count the number of words and write the number on the bottom right corner of the box.

4th box=55 Seconds Why is the other argument wrong and what should the reader do? Never stop writing!!!!!

Now count the number of words and write the number on the bottom left corner of the box.

DONE! Now you have a working first draft.

Want to add words to support your reason? accordingly  as a consequence  as a result  as a result of  because  because of this  by reason of  caused by  consequently  due to  following that  for  for this purpose  for this reason  furthermore  hence  henceforth  in conclusion  in effect  in view of  it follows that  on account of  otherwise  owing to  so  subsequently  the end result  the outcome  the ramifications of  then  thereafter  therefore  thus  to this end  accordingly  as a result  consequently  hence  it follows, then  since  so  then  therefore  thus

Do you want words to intensify your point?   above all  actually  after all  as a matter of fact  certainly  decidedly  definitely  equally important  especially  furthermore  in fact  increasingly important  indeed  more emphatically  more important  moreover  most important of all  most of all  of great concern  of major concern  primarily  significantly  surely  the crux of the matter  the main issue  the main problem  the major reason  there is no question that  to be sure  to emphasize  to recapitulate  very likely  without a doubt  without doubt  without que

Words to use when introducing and example a case in point  after all  an analogy  analogous to  another way  as an example  as an illustration  consider  consider as an illustration  for example  for instance  for instance  for one thing  in another case  in fact  in one example  in order to clarify  in other words  in particular  in the following manner  in the same manner  in this case  in this situation  in this specific instance  more exactly  namely  on this occasion  specifically  such as  suppose that  take the case of  that is  to be exact  to bring to light  to clarify  to demonstrate  to exemplify  to explain  to illuminate  to illustrate  to put another way  to show  to take a case in point  to take a case in point

Hooks/Leads The first sentence to make your essay interesting.    The first sentence to make your essay interesting. We will look at different ways to start an essay.