1. After Reading KEY TRAITS Writing Workshop Persuasive Essay...continued 1.IDEAS 2. ORGANIZATION Presents a thesis statement taking a position on a clearly identified issue Uses relevant and convincing evidence to support the position Anticipates and answers opposing arguments and counterclaims Introduces the issue in a memorable and thoughtful way Uses transitional words and phrases to connect ideas Concludes with a summary, a call to action, or both Persuasive Essay

2. After ReadingWriting Workshop Persuasive Essay...continued 3. VOICE 4. WORD CHOICE Uses a tone that is suited to the audience and purpose Reflects a commitment to the writer’s own ideas Uses persuasive language effectively Persuasive Essay KEY TRAITS

3. After ReadingWriting Workshop Persuasive Essay...continued 5. SENTENCE FLUENCY 6. CONVENTIONS Varies sentence beginnings for interest and flow Employs correct grammar and usage Persuasive Essay KEY TRAITS

4. After ReadingWriting Workshop...continued Persuasive Essay What Should I Do? 1. Analyze the prompt. What Does It Look Like? Choose a prompt on page 1064 that interests you. Underline words that state the type of issue you should focus on. Circle words that describe the audience, the purpose, and the format of your writing. Apply the Writing Process: Prewriting

5. After ReadingWriting Workshop...continued Persuasive Essay What Should I Do? 2. List issues that really matter to you. What Does It Look Like? Jot down situations that make you want to take action. Include some comments or questions about each issue. TIP: Be sure that the issue you choose has two sides to some aspect of it. Remember, you need to convince people who disagree with you, not those who have similar views. Apply the Writing Process: Prewriting

6. After ReadingWriting Workshop...continued Persuasive Essay What Should I Do? 3. Draft a thesis statement to guide you. What Does It Look Like? Think carefully about the main point you want to make in your essay. Then state that idea clearly in a sentence or two. Apply the Writing Process: Prewriting

7. After ReadingWriting Workshop Apply the Writing Process: Prewriting Persuasive Essay What Should I Do? 4. Gather background information and evidence. What Does It Look Like? Search the Internet and talk to experts to find facts and statistics related to your position. Think about what your readers already know and what arguments and reasons will convince them....continued

8. After ReadingWriting Workshop Apply the Writing Process: Drafting Persuasive Essay What Should I Do? 1. Organize your arguments. What Does It Look Like? Two ways to organize your arguments are shown. Do you want to present each opposing argument and answer it immediately (Pattern 1) or list all the opposing arguments and then address them as a whole (Pattern 2)? TIP: Think about what claims opponents might make and how you should answer them. For example, nobody favors illiteracy, but some people may disagree about how serious the problem is and what should be done about it....continued

9. After ReadingWriting Workshop Apply the Writing Process: Drafting Persuasive Essay What Should I Do? 2. Make your language persuasive. What Does It Look Like? Keep in mind the connotations of the words you choose. Using words with strong positive or negative connotations shows your commitment to your ideas and stirs your reader’s emotions. See page 574: Persuasive Techniques...continued

10. After ReadingWriting Workshop Apply the Writing Process: Drafting Persuasive Essay What Should I Do? 3. Support your statements with solid evidence. What Does It Look Like? You need to give your readers facts, statistics, and logical reasons to convince them to agree with your position. Be sure to explain exactly how each piece of evidence backs up your ideas....continued

11. After ReadingWriting Workshop Apply the Writing Process: Revising & Editing Persuasive Essay What Should I Do? 1. Correct errors in logic. What Does It Look Like? Read your essay aloud and circle statements that don’t make sense. Revise these statements to be logical and clear. See page 1070: Avoid Errors in Logic...continued

12. After ReadingWriting Workshop Apply the Writing Process: Revising & Editing Persuasive Essay What Should I Do? 2. Energize your language What Does It Look Like? Underline language that is vague or general. Replace these words with specific words that express your strong feelings about the topic. This writer included a testimonial: “I’ve been a tutor and have seen the results myself.” For more examples of testimonials and other persuasive techniques, see page 574....continued

13. After ReadingWriting Workshop Apply the Writing Process: Revising & Editing Persuasive Essay What Should I Do? 3. Answer opposing arguments completely. What Does It Look Like? Ask a peer reader to draw a box around statements that need more explanation. Add details and reasons that help you fully defeat opposing arguments. See page 1070: Ask a Peer Reader...continued

14. After ReadingWriting Workshop Apply the Writing Process: Revising & Editing Persuasive Essay What Should I Do? 4. Strengthen your conclusion. What Does It Look Like? [Bracket] your conclusion. Ask yourself: If I heard or read this message somewhere, would it be enough to convince me? Fine-tune your conclusion. Does it clearly summarize your points? If you make a call to action, is it a strong one?