The Persuasive Essay
What is a Persuasive essay?
- A convincing case in favor of, or in opposition to, an argument
- Difference from an expository essay
- Bias
- Taking a side
- Carefully argued perspective
Persuasive Essay
- Requires the student to…
- Appeal to the reader’s sense of logic
- Present specific and relevant evidence
- Well-organized structure
- Use evidence to support your viewpoint
- Statistics
- Facts
- Quotations from experts
- Examples
- Appeal to the reader’s sense of logic
- Consider opposing views
- Anticipate concerns and questions
- Respond to these points
- Explain why your viewpoint is best
- Present a strong conclusion
- Evidence and explanations should build to a strong ending
- Summarize your view in a clear and memorable way
- May include a call to action
- Do use a pleasant and reasonable tone
- Logic and fairness will keep it strong
- Don’t use sarcasm or name-calling
- Weakens an argument
Choose a topic
- The first step is choosing a topic
- Brainstorm ideas
- Needs to have depth and support
- Pick a topic in which you strongly believe
- Easier to defend your ideas
- Makes your paper more convincing
- Consider the opposing viewpoints
More about the topic
- You must take a stand
- No room for wishy-washy declarations
- Write about something with which you are familiar
- You will know something about it and be willing to research to learn more
- The topic should be something upon which there is a reasonable difference of opinion
- The topic must be very specific
Prewriting-Brainstorming
- Do your research
- Use at least three sources
- Never use just one source
- Will strengthen your argument
- Will help you understand the counter-arguments
- Will help persuade reader by showing verifiable facts
Prewriting-Drafting
- Use an active voice
- Avoid passive language
- Use third person point of view
- You need lots of research to back up your position
- First person weakens your research
- Sounds like just an opinion
- Be clear
- Use concise, clear language
- Unnecessary wordiness will detract from the clarity
Drafting
- Arrange the essay
- Introduction with strong thesis statement
- Body paragraphs
- Each one will take one reason from the thesis statement and offer proof that the reason is valid
- Each one will include three smaller points defending the reason from the thesis statement
- Add citations to help drive home the message that these are facts rather than just opinions
- Each one will end with a transitional sentence to the next paragraph
- Keeps the reading smooth
- Dissect the counter-arguments
- Can be separate paragraph
- Mention the counter argument to each reason
- Should be shot down with persuasive, rational arguments
- Emotions have no place in this type of essay
- Spell out why the counter-argument is wrong
- Use facts to dissuade the readers from the counter-argument
- Build a solid conclusion
- Tie together the entire essay
- Drive home the main argument once more
- Remind the reader of your strongest sources
- Reader should be convinced that your position is valid and supported by facts
Outline
- Introduction
- Hook (attention-grabbing opening sentence)
- Background information
- Three sentences leading up to your main idea or perspective on the topic
- Thesis statement
- Subject + argument about the subject + three reasons for your argument or viewpoint
- Body paragraphs
- Each paragraph should focus on one reason listed in the thesis statement (topic sentence)
- Each paragraph should include three details, in the way of evidence or examples (support/detail sentences)
- Each paragraph should end with a transition to the next reason or paragraph (closing sentence)
- One paragraph can be included to accurately explain and then refute the most significant opposing view
- Conclusion
- Creatively rephrase your thesis statement
- Summarize the main supporting points
- Leave the reader with a sense of closure
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