Writing the Persuasive Essay

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Writing the Persuasive Essay
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Following the Prompt
To begin a persuasive essay, you must first have
an opinion you want others to share.
The writers purpose is to convince the reader
to accept the writers viewpoint or to take a
particular action. Thats why the essay must be
centered around a clear position, which
represents the writers viewpoint on the issue
and forms the basis of the argument.
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To be valid, an opinion or point of view must be
supported by facts and information.
Support your position with specific examplesfrom
your own life, from your experience in and
knowledge of the world and modern life, and from
what youve read, seen, and discovered through
books, movies, television, news, and history.
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Be sure to -

• state your position clearly
• Use appropriate organization
• Provide specific support for your argument
• Choose your words carefully
• Edit your writing for grammar, mechanics, and
  spelling

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You can use ethos, logos, pathos, or a
combinationbut you have to rely on what you
really know and understand.
That means NO false evidence!
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Paragraph 1 Introduction

• Opening sentence
• Hook
• Thesis/Claim

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THESIS/CLAIM
The thesis statement

• states your position on the topic

• sets up the structure for the paper.
• (the road map for your essay)

The claim comes in the opening section of your
paper. It states your belief and what you
wish to argue.
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Paragraph 2 SUPPORT THE THESIS

• Concession and Refutation can serve as your topic
  sentence.
• First reason details
• Second reason details
• Third reason details

• These are your arguments.

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Concession
Concession an agreement with, to allow a
reasonable claim to be expressed from an opposing
point of view
With a concession, you recognize the arguments
made by the other side. A concession builds
your credibility. It shows that you can discuss
the other side with objectivity. A concession
grants that the other side has some truth.
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Refutation
Refutation counter argument, states your side
with your two reasons.
Following the concession, a refutation argues
at length against the opposing viewpoint by
proving your side has MORE truth.

• The concession and refutation sections, which go
  together, exist because arguments always have
  more than one side. It is always dangerous to
  ignore them.

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Details to Support your reasons

• Facts
• Statistics
• Examples
• What you already know

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Paragraph 3 Conclusion

• Restate your main points.
• Offer a solution if need be.
• Call to Action

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Conclusion/Call to Action

• It draws your argument to a close, restates
  your claim, and makes a final appeal to values.
• It voices a final plea.
• It does not repeat information, but sums up
  the argument with a few final facts and appeals.

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What is not effective

• Saying the opposing viewpoint is stupid.
• Good essays are clear, calm and factual. Prove
  it instead.
• Saying negative things about groups or
  individuals that have different view points.
• This does not support your position but makes
  you seem petty instead.

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How many is that?

• Intro Paragraph (with hook and thesis statement.)
• Body Paragraph (with three reasons with details
  and examples for each reason.)
• Conclusion Paragraph (restate thesis, offer a
  solution if needed, and give a call to action)

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Reflecting on Your Paper

• Have you shown that you understand the
  objections to your position?

• Is it clear that your position still
  outweighs the possible objections?