Writing Persuasive Essays - KIRSTEN ENGLISH



|Writing the Persuasive/Argument Essay |

|What is a persuasive/argument essay? Persuasive writing, also known as the argument essay, utilizes logic and reason to show that one idea is |

|more legitimate than another idea. It attempts to persuade a reader to adopt a certain point of view or to take a particular action. The |

|argument must always use sound reasoning and solid evidence by stating facts, giving logical reasons, using examples, and quoting experts. |

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|When planning a persuasive essay, follow these steps |

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|1. Choose your position. Which side of the issue or problem are you going to write about, and what solution will you offer? Know the purpose of|

|your essay. |

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|2. Analyze your audience. Decide if your audience agrees with you, is neutral, or disagrees with your position. |

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|3. Research your topic. A persuasive essay must provide specific and convincing evidence. Often it is necessary to go beyond your own knowledge|

|and experience. You might need to go to the library or interview people who are experts on your topic. |

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|4. Structure your essay. Figure out what evidence you will include and in what order you will present the evidence. Remember to consider your |

|purpose, your audience, and you topic. |

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|The following criteria are essential to produce an effective argument: |

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|· Be well informed about your topic. To add to your knowledge of a topic, read thoroughly about it, using legitimate sources. Take notes. |

|· Test your thesis. Your thesis, i.e., argument, must have two sides. It must be debatable. If you can write down a thesis statement directly |

|opposing your own, you will ensure that your own argument is debatable. |

|· Disprove the opposing argument. Understand the opposite viewpoint of your position and then counter it by providing contrasting evidence or |

|by finding mistakes and inconsistencies in the logic of the opposing argument. |

|· Support your position with evidence. Remember that your evidence must appeal to reason. The following are different ways to support your |

|argument: Facts - A powerful means of convincing, facts can come from your reading, observation, or personal experience. |

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|Note: Do not confuse facts with truths. A "truth" is an idea believed by many people, but it cannot be proven. |

|Statistics - These can provide excellent support. Be sure your statistics come from responsible sources. Always cite your sources. |

|Quotes - Direct quotes from leading experts that support your position are invaluable. |

|Examples - Examples enhance your meaning and make your ideas concrete. They are the proof. |

In persuasive or argumentative writing, we try to convince others to agree with our facts, share our values, accept our argument and conclusions, and adopt our way of thinking. 

Start writing a draft!

• Write your first paragraph

o Start with an attention grabber: a startling fact or quote to “open our eyes”

o Introduce the topic and the controversy

o Inform the reader of your point of view!

o Identify and acknowledge the opposing view

o Entice the reader to continue with the rest of the paper!

o Focus on three main points to develop

o Provide a solution or recommendation for resolving the problem

o Include a call to action

• Establish flow from paragraph to paragraph

• Keep your voice active

• Quote sources to establish authority

• Stay focused on your point of view throughout the essay

• Focus on logical arguments

• Don't lapse into summary

in the development--wait for the conclusion

• Conclusion

o Summarize, then conclude, your argument

o Refer to the first paragraph/opening statement as well as the main points

▪ does the conclusion restate the main ideas?

▪ reflect the succession and importance of the arguments

▪ logically conclude their development?

Sample Introductory Paragraph Elements:

Billy Kreutzman

English 12 Vocational

Mr. Kirsten

14 April 2009

Global Issues

Your introduction should begin with an attention grabber; an interesting fact or startling statistic (could be a quote) that will open peoples’ eyes to the problem you are writing about. Then identify the global issue and the controversy, and identify the two sides of the argument if your topic is debatable. Then highlight the problems that are the result of the global issue if it is not solved. If there are several possible solutions to the global issue, mention them here. Finally, write your thesis statement at the end of your introduction; this should state your idea about what you believe should be done to solve the problems that are a result of the global issue.

Persuasive Outline

I. Introduction (Thesis, 3 points, conclusion)

A. Introduce Topic, Attention Grabber-Startling fact, quote

B. Identify conflict/problem/controversy

C. Point #1

D. Point #2

E. Point #3

F. Thesis Statement: Your Opinion/Solution to Problem/Call to Action

II. Topic Sentence of Point #1(IDEA) Note:Each Point may need to be divided into multiple paragraphs

A. Development of P1

B. Further explanation

C. Example/explanation

D. Quote with page # (Supporting Evidence/Facts/Statistics)

E. Explanation of quote

F. More Explanation

G. Connection to point, thesis

H. Conclusion

III. Topic Sentence of Point #2(IDEA) Note:Each Point may need to be divided into multiple paragraphs

A. Development of P1

B. Further explanation

C. Example/explanation

D. Quote with page # (Supporting Evidence/Facts/Statistics)

E. Explanation of quote

F. More Explanation

G. Connection to point, thesis

H. Conclusion

IV. Topic Sentence of Point #3(IDEA) Note:Each Point may need to be divided into multiple paragraphs

A. Development of P1

B. Further explanation

C. Example/explanation

D. Quote with page #(Supporting Evidence/Facts/Statistics)

E. Explanation of quote

F. More Explanation

G. Connection to point, thesis

H. Conclusion

V. Conclusion

A. Summarize, restate Point #1

B. Summarize, restate Point #2

C. Summarize, restate Point #3

D. Summarize, synthesize, and connect points to Thesis

E. Concluding statement, call to action

|Persuasive Essay Rubric |

|Name _________________________________ Topic _____________________________________ |

|Criteria | |4 |3 |2 |1 |

|The claim | |I make a claim and |I make a claim but don't explain |My claim is buried, confused |I don't say what my argument or |

| | |explain why it is |why it is controversial. |and/or unclear. |claim is. |

| | |controversial. | | | |

|Reasons and evidence in | |I give clear and |I give reasons and/or evidence in |I give 1 or 2 weak reasons or |I do not give convincing reasons|

|support of the claim | |accurate reasons and|support of my claim but I may |evidence that don't support my |or evidence in support of my |

| | |evidence in support |overlook important reasons. |claim and/or irrelevant or |claim. |

| | |of my claim. | |confusing reasons. | |

|Reasons against the claim | |I discuss the |I discuss the reasons against my |I say that there are reasons |I do not acknowledge or discuss |

| | |reasons against my |claim but leave some reasons out |against the claim but I don't |the reasons against the claim. |

| | |claim and explain |and/or don't explain why the claim |discuss them. | |

| | |why it is valid |still stands. | | |

| | |anyway. | | | |

|Organization | |My writing has a |My writing has a beginning, middle |My writing is organized but |My writing is aimless and |

| | |compelling opening, |and end. It marches along but |sometimes gets off topic. |disorganized. |

| | |an informative |doesn't dance. | | |

| | |middle and a | | | |

| | |satisfying | | | |

| | |conclusion. | | | |

|Voice and tone | |It sounds like I |My tone is OK but my paper could |My writing is bland or |My writing is too formal or too |

| | |care about my |have been written by anyone. I need|pretentious. There is either no |informal. It sounds like I don't|

| | |argument. I show how|to tell more about how I think and |hint of a real person in it or |like the topic of the essay. |

| | |I think and feel |feel. |it sounds like I'm a fake. | |

| | |about it. | | | |

|Word choice | |The words I use are |I make routine word choices. |The words I use are often dull |I use the same words over and |

| | |striking but | |or uninspired or sound like I am|over and over and over. Some |

| | |natural, varied and | |trying too hard to impress. |words may be confusing to a |

| | |vivid. | | |reader. |

|Sentence fluency | |My sentences are |I have well-constructed sentences. |My sentences are sometimes |Many run-ons, fragments and |

| | |clear, complete, and| |awkward, and/or contain run-ons |awkward phrasings make my essay |

| | |of varying lengths. | |and fragments. |hard to read. |

|Conventions | |I use correct |I generally use correct |I have enough errors in my essay|Numerous errors make my paper |

| | |grammar, spelling, |conventions. I have a couple of |to distract a reader. |hard to read. |

| | |and punctuation. |errors I should fix. | | |

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