Persuasive Writing

Purpose of Persuasion This type of writing is meant to convince the reader of your point of view about a subject. Your point of view is stated in your thesis statement, which is the last sentence of your introduction. The rest of the essay serves to argue for your thesis.

Thesis Statements The thesis statement illustrates your opinion regarding a particular topic. Example: Due to its ineffective and cruel nature, the death penalty should be outlawed in the United States. This statement drives the rest of the essay, since each paragraph should provide evidence that argues for your thesis.

Example of a Thesis and Supporting Arguments

Introduction Begin with an engaging hook that captures the reader’s interest and makes them want to keep reading. Types of hooks Questions Quotes Anecdotes/Scenarios Present a quick summary of the arguments you’ll make in your essay --or-- Provide background information on the subject The last sentence should be your thesis statement.

Sample Introduction Does murdering a criminal as punishment for their crimes equal justice? Parents of those set to die by lethal injection most likely don’t consider the death penalty a fair and humane fate for their children. For too long, the United States has relied on an ineffective punishment to deter criminal action, which has, at times, resulted in innocent deaths in the name of justice. Due to its ineffective and cruel nature, the death penalty should be outlawed in the United States.

Body Paragraphs Each paragraph should only deal with one argument in support of the thesis statement. Begin the paragraph with a topic sentence that presents a main argument in support of the thesis. Example: Crimes still occur frequently despite the death penalty in many states.

Body Paragraphs cont. Support the topic sentence with evidence that shows why your view is valid and accurate. Be sure to elaborate on your evidence by explaining how your evidence supports your arguments and thesis.

Body Paragraphs cont. Examples of evidence and persuasive strategies: Anecdotes; Statistics; Facts; Details; Examples; Comparison/Contrasts; Emotional language.

Language Features Use mainly the present tense. Use logical and cause and effect connectives. Use emotive language. Use technical language. Use rhetorical questions. Dare the reader to disagree. Try to make opinions sound like facts. Use powerful verbs and strong adjectives. Retrieved from: http://www.primaryresources.co.uk/english/powerpoints/PM_persuasivewriting.ppt#256,1,Persuasive Writing

Sample Body Paragraph Crimes still occur frequently despite the death penalty in many states. If capital punishment were truly effective, then watching the nightly news wouldn’t be emotionally difficult. Every broadcast seems filled with stories of several different crimes. Murders, bank robberies, crimes of passion, embezzlement are all frequent visitors to the six o’clock headlines. How can an advocate of capital punishment argue that the death penalty prevents crime if the news is still full of these stories? The evidence speaks for itself in this case. A focus on rehabilitation of criminals is the true deterrent to crime, which can create safer streets and less painful news broadcasts.

Counterpoints and Rebuttals A key piece to successfully arguing your point of view is to prove differing views wrong. Your essay must address at least one differing view and show how your view makes more sense. Examples: Summarizing; Common ground; Conceding; Refuting.

Sample Counterpoint Paragraph Even though some believe in an eye for an eye, two wrongs do not make a right. Killing one person to justify the death of another does not make sense. It is still immoral to murder a convicted felon, even if it is to punish that criminal for committing a murder. Will a victim’s family really find peace because the person who killed their loved one is also killed? A second death will not erase the crime or the pain of the first. Couldn’t it also be argued that the murderer has not truly paid for his crime since death is an easier punishment than life in jail? There are alternatives to state-sponsored murder. Putting the money, time, and energy into those crime deterrents make more sense than simple vengeance.

Conclusions Your last paragraph must provide a sense of closure. Restate your thesis in a new way This nation must make capital punishment a thing of the past. Summarize your main ideas in one or two sentences only. Close with a strongly worded clincher or call to action. People must rise up and prevent murder from continuing to be an accepted form of punishment.

Sample Conclusion Based on this discussion, it is obvious that this nation must make capital punishment a thing of the past. Our society has enough pain already and the death penalty does not stop evil from occurring. Not only is it ineffective, but it sometimes results in innocent deaths, since it is a system that is not flawless due to its dependence on humans who are subject to errors in judgment. Therefore, people must rise up and prevent murder from continuing to be an accepted form of punishment.

Calling All Sleepyheads Sleep is important. Nobody fully understands why we need it, but scientists think that the body uses the time to recover and to repair damage. When we fall asleep our heart and breathing rates slow down, muscles relax and our senses rest. If this is the case, are you giving your body enough rest? Retrieved from: http://www.primaryresources.co.uk/english/powerpoints/PM_persuasivewriting.ppt#256,1,Persuasive Writing

Lack of sleep means that the body and brain do not work properly Lack of sleep means that the body and brain do not work properly. If you don’t go to bed at a reasonable time, you will be sleepy in class and not learn so much. Tiredness means you may not be able to think clearly, and you may also be a danger to other people. Accidents can happen. You will lack energy, and even playing becomes too much of an effort. Is staying up late really worth it? Retrieved from: http://www.primaryresources.co.uk/english/powerpoints/PM_persuasivewriting.ppt#256,1,Persuasive Writing

There is some truth in the old saying “Early to bed and early to rise, makes us healthy, wealthy and wise.” Next time you start to argue about your bedtime, remember your body needs a break. From: Have Your Say by Karavis and Matthews Retrieved from: http://www.primaryresources.co.uk/english/powerpoints/PM_persuasivewriting.ppt#256,1,Persuasive Writing

Now, let us examine the text together in more detail. How many elements of persuasive writing have you identified in it? Retrieved from: http://www.primaryresources.co.uk/english/powerpoints/PM_persuasivewriting.ppt#256,1,Persuasive Writing

Calling All Sleepyheads Sleep is important. Nobody fully understands why we need it, but scientists think that the body uses the time to recover and to repair damage. When we fall asleep our heart and breathing rates slow down, muscles relax and our senses rest. If this is the case, are you giving your body enough rest? Retrieved from: http://www.primaryresources.co.uk/english/powerpoints/PM_persuasivewriting.ppt#256,1,Persuasive Writing

Calling All Sleepyheads Sleep is important. Nobody fully understands why we need it, but scientists think that the body uses the time to recover and to repair damage. When we fall asleep our heart and breathing rates slow down, muscles relax and our senses rest. If this is the case, are you giving your body enough rest? Retrieved from: http://www.primaryresources.co.uk/english/powerpoints/PM_persuasivewriting.ppt#256,1,Persuasive Writing

Lack of sleep means that the body and brain do not work properly Lack of sleep means that the body and brain do not work properly. If you don’t go to bed at a reasonable time, you will be sleepy in class and not learn so much. Tiredness means you may not be able to think clearly, and you may also be a danger to other people. Accidents can happen. You will lack energy, and even playing becomes too much of an effort. Is staying up late really worth it? Retrieved from: http://www.primaryresources.co.uk/english/powerpoints/PM_persuasivewriting.ppt#256,1,Persuasive Writing

Lack of sleep means that the body and brain do not work properly Lack of sleep means that the body and brain do not work properly. If you don’t go to bed at a reasonable time, you will be sleepy in class and not learn so much. Tiredness means you may not be able to think clearly, and you may also be a danger to other people. Accidents can happen. You will lack energy, and even playing becomes too much of an effort. Is staying up late really worth it? Retrieved from: http://www.primaryresources.co.uk/english/powerpoints/PM_persuasivewriting.ppt#256,1,Persuasive Writing

Lack of sleep means that the body and brain do not work properly Lack of sleep means that the body and brain do not work properly. If you don’t go to bed at a reasonable time, you will be sleepy in class and not learn so much. Tiredness means you may not be able to think clearly, and you may also be a danger to other people. Accidents can happen. You will lack energy, and even playing becomes too much of an effort. Is staying up late really worth it? Retrieved from: http://www.primaryresources.co.uk/english/powerpoints/PM_persuasivewriting.ppt#256,1,Persuasive Writing

Lack of sleep means that the body and brain do not work properly Lack of sleep means that the body and brain do not work properly. If you don’t go to bed at a reasonable time, you will be sleepy in class and not learn so much. Tiredness means you may not be able to think clearly, and you may also be a danger to other people. Accidents can happen. You will lack energy, and even playing becomes too much of an effort. Is staying up late really worth it? Retrieved from: http://www.primaryresources.co.uk/english/powerpoints/PM_persuasivewriting.ppt#256,1,Persuasive Writing

Lack of sleep means that the body and brain do not work properly Lack of sleep means that the body and brain do not work properly. If you don’t go to bed at a reasonable time, you will be sleepy in class and not learn so much. Tiredness means you may not be able to think clearly, and you may also be a danger to other people. Accidents can happen. You will lack energy, and even playing becomes too much of an effort. Is staying up late really worth it? Retrieved from: http://www.primaryresources.co.uk/english/powerpoints/PM_persuasivewriting.ppt#256,1,Persuasive Writing

There is some truth in the old saying “Early to bed and early to rise, makes us healthy, wealthy and wise.” Next time you start to argue about your bedtime, remember your body needs a break. From: Have Your Say by Karavis and Matthews Retrieved from: http://www.primaryresources.co.uk/english/powerpoints/PM_persuasivewriting.ppt#256,1,Persuasive Writing