Persuasive Writing

What is Persuasive Writing?

Fusco, 2012-2013

Persuasive writing is…

• A piece of writing in which you try to convince a reader to believe what YOU believe about a certain topic.

Some DOs and DON’Ts Do: • Divide into 5 paragraphs • Have a thesis statement in

your introduction (a statement that guides your writing about the topic)

• Come up with 3 main points to support your argument—these will be your 3 body paragraphs

• Have a conclusion that contains a clincher statement

• Come up with an engaging title

• Research your topic! • Have a quote/research in

each body par.

Don’t: • Begin with “hello my name

is___ and I’m going to write about____”

• Don’t overuse “I” (instead of I think we shouldn’t wear uniforms say “Uniforms shouldn’t be required”)

• Be wishy washy. Pick a side. • Forget to support your

opinions with facts and examples!

Fusco’s stages of writing • Brainstorming (Pick a topic)

• Organizing (2 graphic organizers…

choose one you like the best)

• Rough Drafting

• Peer Editing (2 times?)

• Final Polished Copy (typed or in blue/black ink)

Brainstorming • What topic do you think you could write

the best persuasive piece about? Issue #1: Should scientific testing on animals be banned? Issue #2: Should the voting age be lowered to 13? Issue #3: Should boys and girls be taught in separate classes?

Issue #4: Should schools provide only healthy food options?

These are things that make a fustastic persuasive essay

• A title • A thought provoking thesis statement (that

guides your entire writing piece) • An interesting introduction with a hook • 3 beautiful body paragraphs with specific,

fully developed reasons and examples! • Transition words between paragraphs • A killer conclusion with a clincher statement

What is a thesis statement?

• A thesis statement is one sentence at the end of your introduction that states your opinion. Do not write, “I believe or I feel…” Your thesis needs to be clear and be a strong sentence!

Which one is more thought provoking?

#1 This essay will describe why cell phones should be used in school. #2 School board policy should be changed in order to implement cell phones into the curriculum.

An interesting introduction with a hook

• Never write, “Hello….blah blah blah” or “This essay will be about…” BORING!

• You never get a second chance to make a first impression.

• Some techniques we will learn about: – Anecdote – Riddles – Fragment technique – Quotations – Shocking statement

Anecdote A short story within an introduction to

make the point clear.

Example: • Sally got out of bed, and looked at the

alarm clock. She was running late! She would have to hurry to catch the bus. This was one of those days that she was glad that her school had a uniform policy…she wouldn’t have to waste much time picking out an outfit.

Riddles

Get your reader’s attention with a challenging thought.

• What’s plain and boring? What makes all students in a school building look the same and lose their individuality? If you guessed UNIFORMS, you’re correct!

Fragment technique

Uses 3 short fragments to create an image.

• Example: Buzz, Buzz, Buzz… missed call?, missed text? Worrying more about his cell phone than English class made Spencer’s grades drop.

Quotations

• Quote from a respectable source: Newspaper, Magazine, Springboard, etc. or Perhaps use a famous quote to draw your reader in? This may make the reader intrigued with your research and evidence…making them want to read more!

Shocking statements

Provides statistics or facts that startles readers to pull them into your story.

• Example: Can you believe that over 90% of students bring their cell phones to school while only 42% of students graduate on time?

3 body paragraphs with innovative ideas

• You should come up with three points to support your opinion

• Each of the points will be turned into a body paragraph

• Try to think of ideas that no one else would think of

3 body paragraphs with innovative ideas

(an example)

• Your school has a uniform policy. Some people argue that uniforms in schools are beneficial because they cause less distractions, and some argue that they are not a good idea because they take away a student’s individuality. Do you agree or disagree with uniform policy? Make sure to support your position

3 body paragraphs with innovative ideas

(an example)

Thesis: Uniform policies are beneficial in schools, and should be implemented nationwide. Reason 1: Allows for less bullying based on

wardrobe. Reason 2: Students will concentrate more on the

educational process and less on attire. Reason 3: It cuts down on cost of school clothes

and time spent getting ready in the morning.

Transitional words and phrases

• Transition words move from one

thought to the next

• Usually at the beginning of 3 body paragraphs

• Avoid the same weak transition words! (first, next, last)

A killer conclusion with a clincher statement

• A clincher statement is the last line of your paper that truly wows the reader!

• Clincher statements leave a lasting impression on the reader.

A killer conclusion with a clincher statement

• Overall, over 95% of parents polled are in agreement with a school wide uniform policy. Uniforms allow students to be who they are, not what they wear. After all, shouldn’t school be about academics rather than apparel? It’s time our nation got back to reading, writing, and arithmetic….not brand names.

Let’s Fusview… • What is a persuasive essay?

• What are some DOs? • What are some DON’Ts? • What makes a fustastic persuasive writing piece? • What are the stages of writing? • What is a thesis statement? • What are transition words? • What are some interesting ways to start a

persuasive essay? • How many paragraphs will be needed in this essay?

How will I be assessed? • See the MOLDy Rubric! This is a

major grade for MP4 (30%)

MEANING

ORGANIZATION

LANGUAGE USE

DEVELOPMENT

Now…

Get fustarted on the first writing stage:

1) Brainstorming! (pick a topic from the writing assignment: 3 to choose from!)

Then, complete the organizer! (choose one) and then start drafting.