1. Persuasive Writing

2. What is persuasive writing?
In persuasive writing, a writer takes a
position FOR or AGAINST an issue and writes
to convince the reader to believe or do something.
In order to convince the reader you need
more than opinion; you need facts or
examples to back your opinion. So be sure to do the research!

3. Consider your audience
Who are you trying to convince? 
Focus your argument on your audience. 
Your audience will always have the opposing view point. Your job is to convince them to change their position on the issue.

4. Example
Your argument is that your school should have a longer lunch period.  Look at the ways you would approach the argument based on your audience.
Principal:  Focus on how it could improve learning. 
Parents:  Focus on why play time is important.

5. Format Introduction:Hook/Topic Sentence Background Info. Thesis Body:
Supporting details, examples, statistics, facts, and anecdotes that support your argument
Conclusion: Restate thesis/main points, give your opinion

6. Why are hooks important in an introduction?

7. Prevent a snooze fest

8. Introduction
The introduction has a “hook” or “grabber” to catch the reader’s attention. Some “grabbers "include opening your paper with a/an:
1. Unusual Detail
Manitoba, because of its cold climate, is
not thought of as a great place to be a
reptile. Actually, it has the largest seasonal congregation of garter snakes in the world!

9. 2. Strong Statement:
Cigarettes are the number one cause of lighter sales in Canada!
3. Quotation:
Elbert Hubbard once said, “Truth is stronger than fiction.”
4. Anecdote (story):
An anecdote can provide an amusing and attention-getting opening if it is short and to the point.

10. More examples of a hook 5. Statistic or Fact:
Sometimes a statistic or fact will add emphasis or interest to your topic. It may be wise to include the item’s authoritative source.
6. Question:
Have you ever considered how many books we would read if it were not for television?
7. Exaggeration or Outrageous Statement:
The whole world watched as the comet flew overhead.

11. Topic Sentence
If your hook adequately introduces your topic, it may also serve as your topic sentence.
In essence, the topic sentence is the door by which the writer opens up a topic to the reader and delineates it in the essay later
Example: Capital punishment, also known as the death penalty, is the execution of a prisoner as a punishment for a serious crime which might be murder or treason.

12. Background information

13. Background Information in Introduction
Give background information on your topic
This information should connect your topic to your thesis statement.
When in doubt, ask 5 W’s + 1 H
Example: This is a topic that sparks passion within people about the equality and effectiveness of the American Judicial system. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion about this topic but the throbbing question that lingers in the air is that is it morally right?

14. Thesis/Focus Statement
Three objectives of a thesis statement
1. It tells the reader the specific topic of your essay.
2. It imposes manageable limits on that topic.
3. It suggests the organization of your paper.
Through the thesis, you should say to the reader:
“I’ve thought about this topic, I know what I believe about it, and I know how to organize it.”

15. Example of a thesis
The amount of problems associated with capital punishment are massive, ranging from the wrongly convicted, racism, and expensive costs.

16. Capital punishment, also known as the death penalty, is the execution of a prisoner as a punishment for a serious crime which might be murder or treason. This is a topic that sparks passion within people about the equality and effectiveness of the American Judicial system. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion about this topic but the throbbing question that lingers in the air is that is it morally right? The amount of problems associated with capital punishment are massive, ranging from the wrongly convicted, racism, and expensive costs.

17. Example Introduction
People who watch hours of television a day are killing their brain cells. Watching television is an experience shared by most adults and children. It is cheap, appealing, and within the reach of the general public. Television has become an important mass media around the world. Sadly, this resource isn’t used in a way that people could get the best possible benefits from it. People shouldn’t watch television because much of it is not educational, wastes time and negatively affects people’s mental development.

18. The Body
The writer then provides evidence to support the opinion offered in the thesis statement in the introduction.
The body should consist of at least 3 paragraphs.
Each paragraph is based on a solid reason to back your thesis statement.

19. Counter Argument
Since almost all issues have sound arguments on both sides of the question, a good persuasive writer tries to anticipate opposing viewpoints and provide counterarguments along with the main points in the essay. One of the paragraphs in the body of your paper should be used to discuss opposing viewpoints and your counter-argument.

20. More Evidence Generate Hypothetical Instance:
Writers use this method particularly when creating an argument and they want
the reader to see a different point of view.
Suppose that …… or
What if…….

21. Evidence Use statistics or research, Real-life experiences, Examples
Facts

22. Another way to expand argument
Drawing an Analogy:
Use an analogy to explain or elaborate an idea by identifying significant likeness between two objects/ideas or
ideas when otherwise they are quite different. This is helpful when the comparison is made to something that is familiar to the reader

23. Example
Capital punishment is parallel to taking a long walk on a short pier. It is torture for the individual, whether he or she is guilty or not.

24. Clarity Pay attention to sentence structure and word choice
Avoid writing how you speak
Avoid fragments and run-on sentences
Make sure your view point is clear
Make sure the evidence supports your theory
ALL OF THESE FACTORS WILL HELP YOUR PAPER SHINE

25. Conclusion
A piece of persuasive writing usually ends by summarizing the most important details of the argument and stating once again what the reader is to believe or do.
1. Restate your thesis or focus statement.
2. Summarize the main points
3. Give your opinion

26. Opinion may include a personal comment or call for action.
With a prediction: suggest or predict what the results may or may not be in the situation discussed or in similar situations.
With a question: Closing with a question lets your readers make their own prediction, draw their own conclusions.
With recommendations: A recommendation closing is one that stresses the actions or remedies that should be taken.

27. As a general guideline, when writing a persuasive essay…
Have a firm opinion that you want your
reader to accept.
Begin with a grabber or hook to get the
reader’s attention.
Offer evidence to support your opinion.
Conclude with a restatement of what you
want the reader to do or believe.

28. Resources
ntent/user/skaczur/portfolio2/Persuasive%20 Writing.pdf