Writing a Persuasive Essay

What is a Persuasive Essay? An argument Persuades the audience to believe in your opinion on the topic. Uses reasoning, facts, examples, and quotes to convince the reader.

In an episode of “Everybody Loves Raymond,” Marie writes a persuasive letter to the FBI interviewer whom is interviewing Robert (her son)… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cThuaPUD_Q&feature=PlayList&p=16B069ABF7F24A36&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=15 What is the issue that Marie is arguing to the FBI boss? What reasons/examples does she use in her letter to persuade the boss?

Persuasive Essay Topic Write a persuasive essay determining whether students should or should not belong to a group at school. Everyone needs friends in order to make it through life. However, groups in schools can damage a person’s self-esteem forever. Be specific and use strong details in your writing. You will have at least five body paragraphs. You will use at least TWO of the four given articles in your essay. You will also include at least two specific examples from your sources in each body paragraph. You will include a Works Cited page. You will type and format your paper in MLA format.

3. Brainstorm your reasons using a T-chart and complete outline! How to Begin: 1. Read the Writing Situation over and over to ensure you understand what you’re required to write about. 2. Choose one side. 3. Brainstorm your reasons using a T-chart and complete outline!

T-Chart SUPPORT AGAINST Pick your position: which side of the problem/issue are you on? Do you believe cell phones should be permitted for use in schools? SUPPORT AGAINST 1. Cell phones could be used as safety in case of emergency or pickup changes after school. 2. Cell phones could send and receive important messages from home without interrupting the entire class. (Can not choose reason 2 if you choose reason 1.) 3. Student could use cell phones to look up information for school. 4. Cell phones could be used as a reward – once students finish their work they could listen to music or play educational games. If cell phones are permitted in school students may not pay attention in class. 2. If cell phones are permitted in school students may text each other answers to their work or tests. 3. If cell phones are permitted in school they could get stolen or broken.

PERSUASIVE ESSAY TOPIC T-Chart PERSUASIVE ESSAY TOPIC Writing Situation: Research proves that teenagers have a basic need to belong or fit into a group. Belonging is important because students learn the importance of friendship and how to interact with their peers in a positive way. This has become a challenge for most teenagers, however, when they feel they do not fit into a particular group. In addition, these groups can sometimes encourage their peers to make bad decisions. Writing Task: Write a persuasive essay that argues the positive or negative influences of belonging to a group. Read the research articles about these influences and use information from these articles to support what you think. You must cite directly or paraphrase information from at least two of the sources in your paper. Choose a side: Which side are you on? Do you believe that teen social groups overall have a positive or negative effect on teenagers? POSITIVE EFFECT NEGATIVE EFFECT 1. 1. 2. 2. 3. 3.

NOW… You brainstorm three reasons for each side. Use a blend between your opinion and the information from the sources.

Introduction Hook State the Situation (Refer back to the prompt) Mention both sides of the situation Mention the titles and authors of both sources you are using in your paper 3. State your thesis statement: Social groups have a positive or negative effect on teenagers because (state three reasons)

DIRECTIONS: Now write your own HOOK on your paper. Introduction HOOK – grab the reader’s attention Startling Statistic/Fact Interesting Quote Strong/Interesting statement Example (explain in detail) or “Imagine If….” Relate to everyday life Anecdote (very brief, sometimes funny story relating to your topic.) DIRECTIONS: Now write your own HOOK on your paper.

Sample Hook TOPIC: Should students be forced to wear uniforms? Example: Imagine opening your closet to find something to wear to school, and all you can find are khaki pants and white shirts. Does that sound like a nightmare? Well, for many public school students in America, it is a reality!

Sample Hook TOPIC: Should cell phones be permitted for use in school? Example: Recently I was watching the news with my parents and found myself clutching my mother’s hand as we nervously listened to a news report about a bomb scare in a surrounding school district. Parents were terrified when the school was placed on lock down and had no way of getting in touch with their children since the schools were not answering their phones. Thank God for cell phones. Both my mom and I were relieved to hear that many parents were able to calm their children by texting them in the midst of this sudden emergency.

Some ways NOT to begin… I am going to tell you about… Once upon a time… This is an essay about… The assignment says I have to write about… FIRE! Now that I have your attention… (Attention-getter has to relate to thesis.) My first main idea is…

OPINION + 3 REASONS = THESIS STATEMENT Summer: 15 Days or 2 1/2 Months? Student Example – INTRODUCTION paragraph The final bell rings. It’s the last day of school, and summer has finally come! Students don’t have to think about school for at least another 2 1/2 months. That is the way it should always be. Schools should continue using the traditional calendar and not a year-round schedule (position). There are numerous downsides to year-round schooling. It has no positive effects on education (1), it adds to costs (2), and it disrupts the long-awaited summer vacation (3). Student’s Opinion Student’s 3 reasons OPINION + 3 REASONS = THESIS STATEMENT

How to Build Strong Body Paragraphs

Include two specific examples from your sources!  First Body Paragraph ALWAYS NEED A TRANSITION WORD/PHRASE: State one reason why you agree or disagree can appeal to the audience’s logic, emotions, or morals Explain 3 supporting details to support/prove your reason: Supporting detail Include two specific examples from your sources! 

Real-Life Examples & Allusions in Body Paragraphs It is also important that we try to include “real-life” examples in our body paragraphs. Including real-life examples will enhance your writing. SAMPLE: Topic: Athlete's are overpaid. Real life example in body paragraph: I remember my thirteenth birthday party like it was yesterday. It was a wonderful day until my father informed me that he could not afford to purchase the tickets to the Giant’s game I wanted so badly to attend. At first I became angry, but then I realized that the tickets were over $200 each for average seats. I then realized I could enjoy the game more with my family at home and big bowl of popcorn.

Paragraph 2 – Reason 1 = Student Example Contrary to the well-accepted belief, year-round schooling has no constructive impact on education. (1) Most year-round schedules use the 45-15 method: 45 days of school followed by 15 days off (Jones). Because of this, there are many first and last days of school. All those transitions disrupt the learning process. Also, (2) “there is no evidence of higher test scores” (Franklin). Due to that, many schools that change to year-round schedules end up switching back. For example, (3) since 1980, 95 percent of schools that tried the year-round schedule changed back to a traditional calendar (Jones). It is obvious that changing to year-round schooling does not help students. Reason 1 Supporting Detail 1 Supporting Detail 2 Supporting Detail 3

TRANSITION WORDS WORDS THAT CAN BE USED TO SHOW LOCATION: Above Across Against Along Among Around Behind Below Beneath Beside Between Beyond By Down In back of In front of Inside Into Near Off Onto Outside Over Throughout To the right Under underneath WORDS USED THAT CAN BE USED TO SHOW TIME: While After At Before During First Second Third Now Until Meanwhile Today Tomorrow Next week Yesterday Soon Later Afterward About Finally Then Next As soon as When suddenly WORDS THAT CAN BE USED TO COMPARE TWO THINGS: Likewise Also While In the same way Like As Similarly

TRANSITION WORDS WORDS THAT CAN BE USED TO CONTRAST TWO THINGS: But Still Although On the other hand However Yet Otherwise Even though WORDS THAT CAN BE USED TO CLARIFY: That is For instance In other words WORDS THAT CAN BE USED TO EMPHASIZE A POINT Again Truly Especially For this reason To repeat In fact To emphasize WORDS THAT CAN BE USED TO ADD INFORMATION Again Another For instance For example Also As well Next And Besides Finally Moreover Along with In addition Additionally Other

Try not to use 2nd person pronouns! “YOU” “YOUR “YOURS” SHOULD NOT BE USED IN FORMAL WRITING! “You” is sometimes acceptable in the introduction paragraph for your HOOK only, but nowhere else. It is considered informal. We should NOT write how we speak, put your tuxedo and best dress on when you write! Use “we, us, our, ours” or “one” or “students”

How to Build Strong Body Paragraphs

Include two specific examples from your sources!  Second Body Paragraph ALWAYS NEED A TRANSITION WORD/PHRASE: State one reason why you agree or disagree can appeal to the audience’s logic, emotions, or morals Explain 3 supporting details to support/prove your reason: Supporting detail Include two specific examples from your sources! 

Paragraph 3 – Reason 2 - Student Example Like any other facility, keeping a school open requires a great deal of money. When a school changes to a year-round schedule, the costs skyrocket. (1) Keeping school open in the middle of summer requires air conditioning, and that adds significantly to the school’s expenses (Franklin). The usual utility bills grow because of the additional open-school time. Finally, (2) teachers must be paid for all the weeks they are working (Jones). With all these factors, the cost of keeping schools open becomes immensely high. For example, (3) a high school in Arizona had a cost increase of $157,000 when they switched to year-round schooling (Jones). Some schools may not be able to handle such increases, and other schools that can handle these expenses could be doing better things with the money. Reason 2 Supporting Detail 1 Supporting Detail 2 Supporting Detail 3

Include at least two examples from your sources!  Third Body Paragraph ALWAYS NEED A TRANSITION WORD/PHRASE: State one reason why you agree or disagree can appeal to the audience’s logic, emotions, or morals Explain 3 supporting details to support/prove your reason: Supporting detail This is where you can acknowledge the opposition. Prove the other side is wrong. Choose one argument from the other side and prove it is wrong. Include at least two examples from your sources! 

Get to Know Your Enemy! Explain and refute the opposite view within your essay… These newscasters argue that cell phones SHOULDN’T be allowed in schools. One newscaster tries to refute or negate their argument, but she doesn’t do a great job. What other argument could you use to “negate the opposition” (prove the other side wrong). How would you refute or negate the two newscasters’ opinion that cell phones shouldn’t be permitted in schools? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTKZ6jovfso

Paragraph 4 – Reason 3 - Student Example An important part of a child’s life is summertime. With year-round schedules, students would hardly have any time to relax. (1) During the 15-day breaks, they would be thinking about their quick return to school (Jones). (2) It would also be difficult to coordinate family vacations with parents’ work schedules (Franklin). (3) Similarly, children would not be able to go to most summer camps (Franklin). (4) One expert, Dr. Peter Scales, says, “The biggest plus of camp is that camps help young people discover and explore their talents, interests, and values. Most schools don’t satisfy all these needs. Kids who have these kinds of [camp] experiences end up being healthier and have fewer problems ” (Jones). Obviously, the summer is crucial to a child’s learning and development. We shouldn’t take the valuable part of a person’s life away. Reason 3 Supporting Detail 1 & 2 Supporting Detail 3 & 4

Paragraph 4 Reason 3 (also includes negating the opposition) Despite my personal opinion, I understand that some may not fully agree with the idea of continuing the traditional ten month school year. Nevertheless, for those who believe adjusting the school calendar is beneficial for all students and can contribute to a consistent learning process, I have two words for you: overwhelming anxiety. Students are in need of an elongated summer break to ensure they can set the anxiety and stress associated with school and enjoy time with their families. Even my mother and father take the time to vacation in the summer in order to get away. By stepping away from the traditional school calendar we will create more havoc in the lives of our families and in all students’ lives creating overwhelming anxiety for all involved.

CONCLUSION PARAGRAPH Transition Phrase: “As one can see…..” 1. Restate your opinion and three reasons. State a possible alternative {another option}. (Not in every essay) 2. Include a sentence to bring closure. Thought-provoking statement

Concluding Transitions Clearly Hence Evidently Ergo (a continuing thought) Thus Therefore As one can see CHEETTA

Paragraph 5 – Conclusion - Student Example Concluding transition phrase As one can see, it is evident that year-round schooling is not the best option for the school calendar. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the traditional school year. Let’s not change something that works so well! The final bell rings. Let’s make sure this bell means that the “real” summer vacation has come.

Bringing Life to Persuasive Writing Who CARES? That’s SO TRUE!

Persuasive Techniques are Everywhere! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaGJNxCxB-s&feature=related

Reasons to Know How to Write a Persuasive Essay… Every good speech, discussion or essay needs strong closure to force the reader or listener to think carefully about what you have just said or written. Emphasizes critical thinking and analysis skills Relativity: Writing to a newspaper on a local/national issue that concerns you Or to sway a institution/company’s decision Provides practice for college admissions/cover letter writing Required to demonstrate this skill on the Standardized Testing

SAMPLE ESSAY

OPINION + 3 REASONS = THESIS STATEMENT Summer: 15 Days or 2 1/2 Months? Student Example – INTRODUCTION paragraph The final bell rings. It’s the last day of school, and summer has finally come! Students don’t have to think about school for at least another 2 1/2 months. That is the way it should always be. Schools should continue using the traditional calendar and not a year-round schedule (position). There are numerous downsides to year-round schooling. It has no positive effects on education (1), it adds to costs (2), and it disrupts the long-awaited summer vacation (3). Student’s Opinion Student’s 3 reasons OPINION + 3 REASONS = THESIS STATEMENT

Paragraph 2 – Reason 1 = Student Example Contrary to the well-accepted belief, year-round schooling has no constructive impact on education. (1) Most year-round schedules use the 45-15 method: 45 days of school followed by 15 days off (Jones). Because of this, there are many first and last days of school. All those transitions disrupt the learning process. Also, (2) “there is no evidence of higher test scores” (Franklin). Due to that, many schools that change to year-round schedules end up switching back. For example, (3) since 1980, 95 percent of schools that tried the year-round schedule changed back to a traditional calendar (Jones). It is obvious that changing to year-round schooling does not help students. Reason 1 Supporting Detail 1 Supporting Detail 2 Supporting Detail 3

Paragraph 3 – Reason 2 - Student Example Like any other facility, keeping a school open requires a great deal of money. When a school changes to a year-round schedule, the costs skyrocket. (1) Keeping school open in the middle of summer requires air conditioning, and that adds significantly to the school’s expenses (Franklin). The usual utility bills grow because of the additional open-school time. Finally, (2) teachers must be paid for all the weeks they are working (Jones). With all these factors, the cost of keeping schools open becomes immensely high. For example, (3) a high school in Arizona had a cost increase of $157,000 when they switched to year-round schooling (Jones). Some schools may not be able to handle such increases, and other schools that can handle these expenses could be doing better things with the money. Reason 2 Supporting Detail 1 Supporting Detail 2 Supporting Detail 3

Paragraph 4 – Reason 3 - Student Example An important part of a child’s life is summertime. With year-round schedules, students would hardly have any time to relax. (1) During the 15-day breaks, they would be thinking about their quick return to school (Jones). (2) It would also be difficult to coordinate family vacations with parents’ work schedules (Franklin). (3) Similarly, children would not be able to go to most summer camps (Franklin). (4) One expert, Dr. Peter Scales, says, “The biggest plus of camp is that camps help young people discover and explore their talents, interests, and values. Most schools don’t satisfy all these needs. Kids who have these kinds of [camp] experiences end up being healthier and have fewer problems ” (Jones). Obviously, the summer is crucial to a child’s learning and development. We shouldn’t take the valuable part of a person’s life away. Reason 3 Supporting Detail 1 & 2 Supporting Detail 3 & 4

Paragraph 4 Reason 3 (also includes negating the opposition) Despite my personal opinion, I understand that some may not fully agree with the idea of continuing the traditional ten month school year. Nevertheless, for those who believe adjusting the school calendar is beneficial for all students and can contribute to a consistent learning process, I have two words for you: overwhelming anxiety. Students are in need of an elongated summer break to ensure they can set the anxiety and stress associated with school and enjoy time with their families. Even my mother and father take the time to vacation in the summer in order to get away. By stepping away from the traditional school calendar we will create more havoc in the lives of our families and in all students’ lives creating overwhelming anxiety for all involved.

Paragraph 5 – Conclusion - Student Example Concluding transition phrase As one can see, it is evident that year-round schooling is not the best option for the school calendar. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the traditional school year. Let’s not change something that works so well! The final bell rings. Let’s make sure this bell means that the “real” summer vacation has come.

Works Cited Franklin, Tim. “Year Round Schooling.” Reader’s Digest, October 2012. Web. 18 December 2012. Jones, Sandy. “Negative Effects of Year Round Schooling.” Times, August 2010. Web. 18 December 2012. Remember to put your essay in MLA format and submit as an attachment in Edmodo! 