Tips for Writing a Persuasive Paper

Melinda M. Livas, MS, MLIS, MA

Distance Services Librarian

What is a Persuasive Paper?

• FOR or AGAINST an issue. (Choose your position).

• Convince readers to embrace a particular point-of-view.

• Argument should be substantiated by facts, and experts. 2

Topic Selection

You choose the topic• Topic of interest

• Two valid sides

• Narrow topic

Topic Ideas• Should college athletes be

paid?• Should every student in the

U.S. learn a foreign language?

• Should smoking be banned in all public areas?

• The death penalty should (or should not) apply to juveniles.

• Should professors ban smartphones in classroom?

3

Time to Brainstorm

Mindomo Bubbl.us

Points about your topic.

4

Thesis Statement

• Clearly explains what you are trying to argue.

• Include “should” or “should not” in your thesis statement.

• Facts, or background information.

PURPOSE

5

Thesis Statement example:

Evidence

Subject

Main Idea

COMPONENTS

Bike riding is beneficial for children, and should be part of their daily exercise regimen because it helps them to develop coordination skills.

Bike riding.

Develops coordination skills.

Bike riding is beneficial for children.

6

Paper Organization

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• Introduction- thesis statement.

• Body- all points, (including opposing viewpoint).

• Conclusion- restate thesis statement.

8

DATABASES

9

EVALUATING RESOURCES

10

CRAAP METHOD

CITING SOURCES

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Why Cite???

• Avoid plagiarism.• Additional sources.• Adds credibility.• In doubt, CITE!!!

CITATION TOOLS

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• Noodle Tools

• EasyBib

• RefWorks

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REFERENCES

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Sittler, R. (2009). The library instruction cookbook. Chicago: Association

of College and Research Libraries.

Solomon, A., Wilson, G., & Taylor, T. (2012). 100% information

literacy success (2nd ed.). Boston: Wadsworth, Cengage.

Learning.

Taylor, G., & Taylor, G. (2009). A student's writing guide: How to plan and write

successful essays. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.