1. Introduction to the GHSWT
Georgia High School Writing Test

2. Persuasive writing IS…
Writing that clearly establishes your position on an issue and fully develops an argument with specific examples and details. You are to convince your reader to accept your position as valid, adopt a certain point of view, or take some action

3. Persuasive writing is NOT…
“Formulaic” writing or writing where you say “I believe...” “The first reason…the second reason…the final reason…” DO NOT USE FORUMULAIC writing!!!

4. Key Terms
Format: the type of paper you are writing (letter, speech, proposal…)
Audience: the person or group of people you intend to reach
Purpose: the reason WHY you are writing

5. About the test… 100 minute timed-test
Writing situation: this is your “scenario” giving you the paper topic and context for writing
Directions for writing: this is your “task” (immediately identify your format, audience, and purpose)

6. SAMPLE PROMPT Writing Situation
With the development of space travel, living beyond the planet Earth has become a possibility. You are one of the people who have been chosen to colonize another planet. The planet is already supplied with the basics of food, clothing, and shelter. Each colonist can take one item. Decide what one item you want to take with you.
Directions for Writing
Write a speech to your fellow colonists that justifies your choice. By presenting a well-developed argument, convince them that your item should be taken to the new planet.

7. How to Write a PRRRRFECT Paper

8. Personal Experience
Include in your essay an experience about the topic that will appeal to the reader’s heart with the goal of ultimately persuading this person to believe your side of the argument

9. Rhetorical Questions
A rhetorical question is a figure of speech in the form of a question that is for persuasive effect without the expectation of a reply
This challenges the reader and gets him/her engaged in the reading, asking themselves about the topic and maybe even put into the situation themselves

10. Rebuttal
Using a rebuttal in your essay is essential, especially for topics the writer is dealing with that may be difficult to get someone to believe (aka counterargument)
A rebuttal’s goal is to eliminate a contradictory statement to your topic in the reader’s mind
Ex: You say, “Jill is ill”
Reader thinks, “Jill is not ill because her eyes are not red.”
You say, “Jill may not have red eyes, but this is a special type of disease that does not include an eye infection.”

11. Repetition
Repetition is an important persuasive device that is written to burn your idea into the reader’s mind so that they will believe your statements that repeat which are short and to the point

12. Restatement
Can be used to restate your controlling idea or topic in your concluding paragraph to ensure the reader understands your whole view on the subject before you finish the essay

13. Fact/Statistic
Including facts and statistics makes your essay more believable, although they do not have to be exact figures, this makes the writer look knowledgeable as long as the writer uses reasonable values to represent the topic being explained

14. Elaboration
Having a topic and elaborating on it are two different things
All main body paragraphs of your essay must go in detail on your topic and must elaborate on your thesis statement, for this is the basis of a very strong essay

15. Controlling idea
The controlling idea is your view on the topic and is elaborated upon throughout your entire essay (aka “thesis”)

16. Transitions
Transitioning between paragraphs is important, because it will never confuse the reader and allows for a smooth transition
Use words like: also, anyway, besides, certainty, finally, furthermore, hence, however, indeed, instead, likewise, meanwhile, moreover, nevertheless, next, now, otherwise, similarly, still, then, therefore, thus, etc. *See “Commonly Used Transition Words” handout

17. Remember…PRRRRFECT Personal Experience Rebuttal (Counterargument)
Repetition
Restatement
Rhetorical Questions
Fact/Statistic
Elaboration
Controlling Idea (Thesis statement)
Transition

18. Are you going to write a prrrrfect paper?
 Now we will write a practice paper!