Persuasive Writing: Take a Position and Make an Outline

Take a Position  Taking a position means you take a side in the argument/discussion. If the topic is student cell phones in school, there are two positions you could take. 1.Students should be allowed to have cell phones in school. 2.Students should not be allowed to have cell phones in school.

Take a Position  When you are given a persuasive writing prompt, you will either be instructed on which position to take or given a choice. If it is a choice, you will probably know right away how you feel.  However, if you are unsure, make the pros/cons chart for your topic and audience. Whichever column you have more ideas for indicates the position you should take.  The first two steps are interchangeable: Take a position and make your pros/cons chart. Do whichever one is easier for you first.

Make an Outline  If you are writing a five-paragraph essay, you will need three body paragraphs. Choose your three strongest pros to be your three body paragraph subtopics.  Make sure they are different enough from each other to support their own paragraph.

Make an Outline  If you have more cons and choose to argue that side, switch the pros/cons labels on the chart, or the rest of the directions will be confusing!  The third step is to use your pros/cons chart to make a quick outline.  The next slides show an example.

Topic: Students joining organized sports Audience: Teachers Pros:  Healthy kids aren’t absent  Exercise is linked to higher test scores  Helps kids make friends  Helps kids learn discipline  Helps kids earn scholarships Cons:  Sports will take time away from studies  Tournaments may cause absences

Make an Outline  For now, we will ignore the cons. Don’t worry, they’ll be making a comeback later!

Make an Outline  Look at the pros.  You want to find three body paragraph topics.  That doesn’t mean you’ll only use three pros. Sometimes pros can be combined because they are similar.  Discuss with a partner your top three body paragraph topics. Pros:  Healthy kids aren’t absent  Exercise is linked to higher test scores  Helps kids make friends  Helps kids learn discipline  Helps kids earn scholarships

Make an Outline Pros:  Healthy kids aren’t absent  Exercise is linked to higher test scores  Helps kids make friends  Helps kids learn discipline  Helps kids earn scholarships Ex: Three Body Paragraph Subtopics: 1)Healthy kids aren’t absent 2)Helps kids learn social skills 3)Linked to high test scores and achievement

I. Opening Paragraph II.Healthy kids are absent less often a. b. c. III.Sports help kids learn social skills a. b. c. IV.Sports lead to academic success a. b. c. V.Closing Paragraph Under the body paragraph subtopics, write short notes on how you will explain, give examples, or give evidence to support your overall position (students should join organized sports). *You should always keep you audience in mind. Don’t forget their opposing views!

Take a Position and Make an Outline  Now it’s time to try it on your own!