1. The Art of Persuasive Writing
Julius Caesar Unit: Persuasive Essay

2. What is persuasive writing?
What’s the difference between argumentative and persuasive?
Persuasive essays use logic, reason, and emotion to convince readers to join the writer in a certain point of view.
A persuasive essay convinces readers to agree with the writer’s opinion.
You’ve chosen a prompt. You either agree or disagree with it. You’re going to argue why your stance is the right one based on examples from the play. The play is our primary source. You’re also going to use a secondary source, your web source to provide extra support. Lastly, your going to persuade me that I should feel the way you do about the prompt.

3. Lead / Hook Grab the Reader’s Attention
Anecdote (narrative vignette)
I walked proudly through the hallways of AMS, my new blue mohawk glistening magnificently in the florescent lighting of the hallway, but then I saw Mr. Caruthers. I felt the wax in my hair start to melt.
Question
Do schools have the right to tell kids how to dress?
Hyperbole
For the past 300 years in this country, schools have been crushing the artistic freedom of students with oppressive dress codes!
Setting
At Centerville Middle School, a controversy is brewing. Walk down the hallways, and amidst a tranquil sea of khaki pants and navy blue polo shirts, the blades of a fuchsia mohawk cut through the peaceful learning environment.
Alliterative Phrase
Timeless. Tasteful. Tried and true. The traditional school uniform is the foundation of a true learning environment.
Quotation
“Give me liberty or give me death.”

4. Thesis Statement
A thesis statement is always one sentence that states your assertion (belief) about a topic. A thesis statement usually includes a forecast (brief preview of your arguments).
In your thesis statement, don’t use “I believe…”
Your making a statement, state it strongly.
For example, for your thesis statement, Don’t say, “I believe schools should have mini-restaurants, so students can have variety, fun, and healthy choices.”
Instead, say, “Schools should have mini-restaurants, so students can have variety, fun, and healthy choices.”
Your statement is your belief, you don’t need to emphasize that.
Also, in your thesis statement, it’s common to list three main discussion points. For instance, I used, “…variety, fun, and healthy choices.”

5. Body Paragraphs- Supporting Arguments
Your body paragraphs are where you discuss your three main topics that you listed in your thesis.
You don’t have to have three body paragraphs. You can have multiple paragraphs per topic. Like, I might have three whole paragraphs just for the topic of “variety” in having
mini-restaurants and then two paragraphs for “fun.”
Don’t feel like your limited to three paragraphs per point.
Also, your three body paragraphs will be where you use pathos, ethos, and logos. Remember, this is a persuasive essay. Tug at my heart strings, use reason to sway me to your side, and persuade me that your belief is the right one.

6. Types of Supporting Arguments
Logos- an Appeal to logic. This makes sense, so why wouldn’t you believe it too?
Ethos- an appeal to do the “right” thing.
Pathos-an appeal to the emotions

7. Audience and Author’s Purpose
When writing persuasively, always remember the interaction between the writer and the reader. The writer is trying to persuade a reader who may be enthusiastic or resistant or simply disinterested. Persuasive writing must be well organized, but it must also hook the reader, and then keep him or her engaged with creative and authentic word choice.
Credible language. No text speak.

8. Ethos:
An appeal to character or credibility. Either speaker's personal ethics and expertise or utilizing an external expert/professional.
The foundation or trunk that holds everything together. Without the trust and respect of your audience, your argument will fall to pieces.
TONE: Set a tone that connects with the personality and values of your audience
EXPERTISE: Refer to your own background or credentials or refer to credible, reliable experts in the field for evidence.
1st prompt experience, 2nd prompt: you know someone who is a leader with charisma. 3rd prompt- an experience you had where words were powerful, like words stopped a fight
Pathos:
An appeal to emotion. Typically creating sympathy and empathy for a cause or negative emotions towards the opposition.
The ornaments that attract the most attention. People are emotional and make many decisions based on what is attractive and emotionally appealing.
1st prompt- you personally know someone and their evil.
CONNOTATION: Use strong diction, imagery, and figurative language to develop mood/tone.
HYPOTHETICAL SITUATION: Put the reader into the situation to create empathy/sympathy. “I caution readers to imagine themselves in this situation…”
ANECDOTES: Tell personal or general anecdotes to draw in the audience.
Logos:
An appeal to logic. Organizing facts and evidence to build toward a logical conclusion.
The branches that support your claim. Your logic needs to be strong to hold up your argument. Faulty reasoning will bend and break.
EVIDENCE: Must be reliable, sufficient and related to your claim to appeal to the audience. Credible sources and need to actually relate to the prompt and your stance.