The Persuasive Essay

This week you will write a 3-5 page Persuasive Essay.

This is the handout we will use as a basis for the essay: 
http://www2.waterforduhs.k12.wi.us/staffweb/sereno/mainpages/InfoLit/Microsoft%20Word%20-%20Writing%20the%20Persuasive%20Essay.pdf 
Please print this handout and refer to it as you write your essay.

TOPIC IDEAS:

Writing Situation: Many eighteen year olds who are old enough to vote, choose not to register, not participating in elections. Do you think it is important to register and exercise your right to vote?
Consider the reasons one would want to register and participate in elections.
Directions for Writing: Now write a persuasive essay stating whether or not eighteen year old should register and participate in elections. Give reasons to support your position. Argue in such a convincing manner that others will agree with you.

Writing Situation: Some of the parents at your school have started a campaign to limit the homework that teachers can assign to students. Teachers at your school have argued that the homework is necessary.
What is your position? Do you think homework should be limited?
Directions for Writing: Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper stating your position and supporting it with convincing reasons.

Writing Situation: Your local public library has come under criticism for allowing patrons under the age of 18 to check out books that some consider unacceptable. The books are either inappropriate, describe graphic violence, or use questionable language. As parents have complained, the town council has considered removing all questionable books from the library
Consider the advantages and/or disadvantages of this action. What is your position on this issue?
Directions for Writing: Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper stating your position and supporting it with convincing reasons.

Writing Situation: The state department of education has provided funding for an experimental online school. All the classes will take place on the Internet, using email, online chat, and the world wide web. The students taking classes at this new online school will never meet each other face-to-face. They will only interact online with each other and with their teachers.
Consider the advantages and/or disadvantages of an online school. What is your position on this issue?
Directions for Writing: Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper stating your position and supporting it with convincing reasons.

Writing Situation: Current research suggests that because teenagers have different sleep patterns, they would benefit from beginning the school day at a later time. Suppose your Board of Education has proposed that all high school schedules begin at 9:30 a.m. and end at 4:30 p.m.
Do you agree or disagree that this later schedule would be beneficial?
Directions for Writing: Now write an essay in which you persuade the Board of Education to agree with your opinion. Support your position with reasons and examples.

Writing the Persuasive Essay

What is a persuasive/argument essay?

In persuasive writing, a writer takes a position FOR or AGAINST an issue and writes to convince the reader to believe or do something

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.

When planning a persuasive essay, follow these steps

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

The following criteria are essential to produce an effective argument

• 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. 

Parts of the Persuasive Essay

1. The Introduction

• Includes a hook- something to grab the reader's attention
• Contains a thesis: your statement of purpose. The thesis/hypothesis should be one sentence in length. This is the foundation of your essay and it will serve to guide you in writing the entire paper. 

2. The Body

Hints for successful body paragraphs:

• Clarify your position in your topic sentence – state your argument or reason that supports your position (thesis), think about what needs to be explained, and then think about how you can elaborate.

•  Include Concession Statements (address opposing viewpoints!): 
• concession: If you're writing a persuasive piece, you might consider beginning with a concession--that is, by beginning with an acknowledgement of part of your opponent's argument as being valid. 
• Remember that a concession is not a form of weakness. In fact a concession is a strength as it finds common ground with your opponent and establishes your ethical appeal: you are a reasonable person willing to listen to/acknowledge that there are more sides to an issue than yours.
• **You can’t ignore compelling opposing evidence. You must address strong arguments on the other side; if you don’t, it looks like you are not well prepared and have not looked at the issue you are writing about from all perspectives.**

example: "True, gun control legislation in Canada needs to be tightened to prevent the United States from becoming as violent as its neighbors to the south. The proposal that has been submitted, however, does not go far enough. Instead,...[now writer begins building his side of argument, showing how it is stronger than the opposing side’s!] 

The Persuasive Essay requires research!

You must become somewhat of an expert on your topic.  Use reliable sources!

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.
            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. 


3. Conclusion

• Restate your thesis or focus statement.
• Summarize the main points: The conclusion enables your reader to recall the main points of your position. In order to do this you can paraphrase the main points of your argument.
• Write a personal comment or call for action. 

DUE NEXT WEEK:

1. Outline: Use outline format from this handout: http://www2.waterforduhs.k12.wi.us/staffweb/sereno/mainpages/InfoLit/Microsoft%20Word%20-%20Writing%20the%20Persuasive%20Essay.pdf

2.  Persuasive Essay with Works Cited and parenthetical documentation in MLA format