PERSUASIVE WRITINGUnderstanding the

importance and techniques of the persuasive genre.

When will I ever use this?

• Research Papers (yes, you will write one this year)

• When asked your point-of-view on a literary piece.• When assigned to write on a controversial topic.• When assigned to discuss which of two things is

better/ more beneficial, etc.• When asked to analyze a piece of writing.• On SAT/ ACT essays• In college…pretty much every day.

Core Foundation of a Persuasive Essay

• Include the following in your writing:– A clear statement of your position. – Support your position with data (be able to

verify). – Include any prior knowledge (add information

that you know relates to the topic).

http://www.abcteach.com/Writing/persuasive.htm

Research Based vs. Prior Knowledge Based

• This method is used when significant research (specific data, etc.) is required.

• Example of prompts that would require research:

Was the Salem Witchcraft hysteria caused by a fear of women?

Does Repressed Memory Therapy create victims?

Are the D.A.R.E. programs and other anti-drug programs effective?

Have historians overemphasized the slavery issue as a cause of the Civil War?

• This method is used when you are assigned an “on-the-spot” essay. In other words, you do not have to go searching in your Library databases for information. You will support your claim by using your beliefs and prior knowledge (what you’ve learned in History, Science, through Literature, real world experiences, etc.)

• Example of a prompt that is prior knowledge based:

Is the influence fear has on us a positive or negative one?

Education is an indivisible part of the prosperity of the nation. The more educated and cultured people there are in the country, the more flourishing and thrifty the country is. Comment on this issue, argument your decision

Research Based Persuasive

Writing

Prior Knowledge Based Persuasive Writing

English III: Unit One- Establishing a Voice

• We will be discussing the following questions throughout this six weeks:

– Is courage necessary to stand up for your beliefs?

– Are people basically good?– Who has the right to rule?

Your assignment is to choose one of these and compose a persuasive essay which answers the proposed question. This will be a Prior Knowledge Based essay, meaning I want you to use what you already KNOW to support your answer. Think about your History classes, literature you’ve read, current events, your own real world experiences, movies you’ve seen, etc.

1. You must clearly state your position2. You must clearly support your position, using at least 3

concrete examples to do this. 3. You must include an introduction, 3 body paragraphs, and a

conclusion.