Introduction to the GHSWT Georgia High School Writing Test

Persuasive writing IS… Writing that clearly establishes your position on an issue and fully develops an argument with specific examples and details. You are to convince your reader to accept your position as valid, adopt a certain point of view, or take some action

Persuasive writing is NOT… “Formulaic” writing or writing where you say “I believe...” “The first reason…the second reason…the final reason…” DO NOT USE FORUMULAIC writing!!!

Key Terms Format: the type of paper you are writing (letter, speech, proposal…) Audience: the person or group of people you intend to reach Purpose: the reason WHY you are writing

About the test… 100 minute timed-test Writing situation: this is your “scenario” giving you the paper topic and context for writing Directions for writing: this is your “task” (immediately identify your format, audience, and purpose)

SAMPLE PROMPT Writing Situation With the development of space travel, living beyond the planet Earth has become a possibility. You are one of the people who have been chosen to colonize another planet. The planet is already supplied with the basics of food, clothing, and shelter. Each colonist can take one item. Decide what one item you want to take with you.   Directions for Writing Write a speech to your fellow colonists that justifies your choice. By presenting a well-developed argument, convince them that your item should be taken to the new planet.

How to Write a PRRRRFECT Paper

Personal Experience Include in your essay an experience about the topic that will appeal to the reader’s heart with the goal of ultimately persuading this person to believe your side of the argument

Rhetorical Questions A rhetorical question is a figure of speech in the form of a question that is for persuasive effect without the expectation of a reply This challenges the reader and gets him/her engaged in the reading, asking themselves about the topic and maybe even put into the situation themselves

Rebuttal Using a rebuttal in your essay is essential, especially for topics the writer is dealing with that may be difficult to get someone to believe (aka counterargument) A rebuttal’s goal is to eliminate a contradictory statement to your topic in the reader’s mind Ex: You say, “Jill is ill” Reader thinks, “Jill is not ill because her eyes are not red.” You say, “Jill may not have red eyes, but this is a special type of disease that does not include an eye infection.”

Repetition Repetition is an important persuasive device that is written to burn your idea into the reader’s mind so that they will believe your statements that repeat which are short and to the point

Restatement Can be used to restate your controlling idea or topic in your concluding paragraph to ensure the reader understands your whole view on the subject before you finish the essay

Fact/Statistic Including facts and statistics makes your essay more believable, although they do not have to be exact figures, this makes the writer look knowledgeable as long as the writer uses reasonable values to represent the topic being explained

Elaboration Having a topic and elaborating on it are two different things All main body paragraphs of your essay must go in detail on your topic and must elaborate on your thesis statement, for this is the basis of a very strong essay

Controlling idea The controlling idea is your view on the topic and is elaborated upon throughout your entire essay (aka “thesis”)

Transitions Transitioning between paragraphs is important, because it will never confuse the reader and allows for a smooth transition Use words like: also, anyway, besides, certainty, finally, furthermore, hence, however, indeed, instead, likewise, meanwhile, moreover, nevertheless, next, now, otherwise, similarly, still, then, therefore, thus, etc. *See “Commonly Used Transition Words” handout

Remember…PRRRRFECT Personal Experience Rebuttal (Counterargument) Repetition Restatement Rhetorical Questions Fact/Statistic Elaboration Controlling Idea (Thesis statement) Transition

Are you going to write a prrrrfect paper?  Now we will write a practice paper!