In Cold Blood: Persuasive Essay

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In Cold Blood Persuasive Essay
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What is an Opinion/Persuasive Essay?

• An opinion essay gives the writer's opinion, a
  view or belief that can't be proven as a fact.
• The opinion appears as part of an opinion
  statement in the beginning paragraph.
• The opinion is supported by main reasons, which
  appear in the topic sentences of middle
  paragraphs.

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Format
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Question Television news shows many scenes of
disasters and violence. What effect can this have
on individuals and society?

• Paragraph 1 Introduction
• Capture the readers attention and introduce the
  topic.
• Give an opinion statement. In this statement
  outline what it is you will be discussing in your
  essay.

• Its almost impossible to avoid seeing images
  of famine, war, natural disasters, and violence
  on our screens. These graphic images can,
  encourage us to act , or leave us cold, and in
  this essay I will discuss the effects of these
  constant powerful pictures.

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• Paragraph 2 Body Paragraph
• Start each paragraph with a topic sentence that
  states one main reason or side of the argument.
• Add supporting details.
• Use transitions to connect ideas.
• Provide an ending sentence.

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• It is natural to respond to other peoples
  suffering. When we see hungry children or
  frightened refugees on our televisions, we want
  to send money or support. Huge relief efforts
  such as Live Aid or Action for Haiti have
  resulted from ordinary peoples reactions
  (Mumford 3). Another natural response is anger.
  We ask our leaders to act to change the political
  or economic situation that causes the pain. Some
  people also take action themselves. They
  volunteer time in their home communities to raise
  funds, or even work or fight in the affected
  region.

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• Paragraph 3 Body Paragraph
• State opposing views and give arguments against
  them.

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• However, the frequency of these painful and
  violent scenes can also have opposite effects.
  First of all, it doesnt seem right to watch
  tsunamis or other disasters while we are eating
  breakfast. Some people become obsessed with bad
  news on the television or internet. Second, its
  also natural to protect yourself and those around
  you. To reduce the impact on ourselves or our
  families, we change the television channel or
  make a joke about the conflict or continent
  affected. Finally, because the images seem
  never-ending, we get fed up sending money, which
  does not seem to have any effect. Many people
  feel powerless and therefore do nothing, until an
  even more powerful image is forced on them.

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• Paragraph 4Conclusion
• Restate the opinion.
• Summarize main reasons.
• Give a call to action.

• In conclusion, these scenes on television can
  motivate us to act and help others, or they can
  discourage and depress us . Its probably better
  to think carefully about what we watch and our
  reasons for watching.

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Essay Question Dialectical Journal

• Why is our society so fascinated by crime? Use
  examples from both the article and text to
  support your argument. Also, use MLA format for
  bibliography and in-text citations.
• Mumford, Lewis. The Culture of Cities. New York
  Harcourt, 1938. Print.