1. Persuasive Writing

2. Persuasive Writing
Persuasive writing tries to convince a reader to do something or to believe what you believe about a certain topic.
It takes a position for or against something.

3. Persuasive Writing can be used to…
Purpose
Support a cause
Urge people to action
Make a change
Prove something wrong
Persuasive Statement
“Please support my football team by buying discount coupons.”
“Vote for Sarah!”
“The principal should let us wear hats.”
“Cell phones don’t cause brain cancer.”

4. Persuasive Writing can be used to…
Purpose
Stir up sympathy
Create interest
Get people to agree with you
Persuasive Statement
“If you don’t adopt this dog, it could have to live in a shelter.”
“Better grades get you a better job and more money.”
“I am sure you’ll agree that Milky Way is the best candy bar.”

5. Persuasive Format: INTRODUCTION with a grabber and thesis statement
BODY (3) where the arguments are explained with examples/evidence
CONCLUSION where main points are summarized and the reader is left with something to think about (grabber)

6. Do Your Research…
In order to convince the reader you need more than just an opinion; you need facts or examples to back your opinion. Internet Credibility? Is the source reliable? (.edu) Educational – publishes student/teacher work (.gov) Government site – reliable (.org ) Nonprofit organizations – biased (.com) Commercial – selling something – evaluate carefully, unreliable (.net) Offers Internet services – selling something – evaluate carefully, unreliable
Walsh Publishing Co. 2009

7. The Plan… 5 Paragraph Essay:
1. Grabber, 3 reasons/summary, thesis, persuasive technique, transition
2. Reason 1, myth examples, class examples, persuasive technique, transition
3. Reason 2, myth examples, class examples, persuasive technique, transition
4. Reason 3, myth examples, class examples, persuasive technique, transition
5. Counter-arguments, re-state thesis, 3 reasons/summary, call to action, grabber

8. DON’Ts of Persuasive Writing:
Don’t begin with “Hello my name is___ and I’m going to write about____”
Don’t use the word “I “ (Instead of “I think we shouldn’t wear uniforms” say “Uniforms shouldn’t be required.”
Don’t use I think, I feel, I believe, in my opinion…No one cares! We want facts!

9. Next: Creating a Thesis Statement
A thesis statement is one sentence at the end of your introduction/conclusion that states your opinion as a fact. It needs to be strong.
Summarize the what and why of the assignment.
Summarize your 3 main focus points (reasons).
Write an opinion statement without using I.
Put your completed thesis statement at the end of your first/last paragraph.

10. Writing the Thesis Statement
The students of the __ fraternity need a mascot ___________. (describe what kind of mascot or why we need one)
2. ___ should be our mascot because _1_ , _2_ , _3_. (reasons)
3. ___ is the most appropriate symbol for our fraternity because _1,_ 2,_ 3 . (reasons)
YOUR TURN! WRITE YOUR THESIS STATEMENT HERE…

11. Which of the following is a good thesis statement?
I believe we must stop wasting food now!
2. The problem of food waste can easily be solved by implementing three simple steps: reduce, reuse, recycle.
3. If you aren’t reducing, reusing, and recycling, you should.
4. I believe wasting food is a huge problem. We need to reduce our food waste. For example, make a shopping list before you go to the store, and only buy things you truly need. You shouldn’t buy a gallon of milk if you are only going to drink a quart of it during the week. Who cares if the gallon size is on sale?
Have students analyze these typical student thesis statements. The first is missing a forecast. The third has an assertion, and previews the arguments, but the tone is not academic. This is a great opportunity to discuss with students the use of first person, second person, and third person points of view in academic writing. The final example starts with an assertion, but the writer then launches into the heart of the arguments. Stress to students that the forecast is a concise preview—the full argument and supporting details should go in the body paragraphs, not the introduction.

12. Our Introductory Paragraph:
CATCHY TITLE
Fast Food Is Killing America!
Did you know that a typical child needs 2,000 calories for an entire day and Burger King’s Whopper with triple cheese has 1,230 calories? That is far more calories than anyone needs in one day! Fast food consumption has risen 500 percent since 1970 and today reaches nearly every part of society, including some public school cafeterias. Fast food is harmful because it rapidly increases weight, causes high blood pressure, and leads to sluggishness. Fast food is bad for your health!
GRABBER
YOUR THREE ARGUMENTS
THESIS STATEMENT
Walsh Publishing Co. 2009

13. Show “The Other Side…”
Tell your reader what the counter-argument is and prove why it shouldn’t matter
Explain what others may think and why…but especially why they are wrong!
Some people may argue ___, however ________.
YOUR TURN! WRITE A COUNTER ARGUMENT HERE…

14. Conclusion… End using one or more of the following strategies:
Call the reader to action
Make a Prediction (positive or negative)
The last paragraph wraps up the writing and gives the reader something to think about (grabber).
Walsh Publishing Co. 2009

15. Strategies for Conclusions
Call to Action
Ask the reader to do something or to make something happen “I challenge you to vote for…
Make a Prediction
Explain what might be the consequences (negative and positive) of action or inaction “If you choose ___ then _______________.” (positive outcome)
If you choose ___ then ______________. (negative outcome)
“If you don’t choose ___ then _______________________.” (negative outcome)
YOUR TURN! WRITE A CALL TO ACTION STATEMENT HERE…
Walsh Publishing Co. 2009

16. Concluding Paragraph:
Restate your thesis.
End with…
A call to action (Consider your options the next time you are faced with a decision about what to eat.)
In closing, it’s important to remember that too much fast food can have negative effects on your health. If not eaten in moderation, you can gain weight, suffer from high blood pressure and become slow and sluggish. Is it worth the risk to your body? Eat Healthy and Make good choices!
Walsh Publishing Co. 2009

17. Persuasive Techniques to Use…
Logical Appeal ~ expert testimony and statistics
Emotional Appeal ~ make audience feel strong emotion (laughter, hatred, sympathy, anger)
Bandwagon ~ says everybody is doing this
Name-calling ~ negative words
Testimonial ~ famous person endorses

18. Persuasive Techniques to Use…
Glittering Generality ~ popular/admired virtues, positive words, you’d be crazy to turn it down
Plain Folks ~ normal, everyday people connection
Transfer/Allusion ~ mention famous symbols/images that we love/respect to make positive connections
Fear ~ scare them into action
Repetition ~ repeat a phrase many times
Snob Appeal ~ will make you the best, better than others, flatters our inner snob

19. Public Speaking Tips!
The power of the pause ~ speak fast, slow, pause for effect - be purposeful – talk to us, don’t read to us
Eye contact ~ right, middle, left, repeat (swivel)
Control yourself ~ um, ah, like, arms, feet, hands, slow down
Put verbs into action ~ act out what you can, talk with your hands
Facial expressions ~ smile, frown, raise eyebrows, enthusiasm
Move around the stage ~ use all of the space

20. Tips continued… Visual aids ~ bring picture(s) for the audience
Involve the audience ~ raise hand, ask questions, stand up
Tell a joke ~ can’t be random or inappropriate
Volume ~ project your voice to the back, loud, clear, enunciate
Repetition ~ words beginning sentence, phrases, rhetorical questions