The Art of Persuasive Writing

1. The Art of Persuasive Writing

2. Opinion vs. Argument vs. Persuasion “Opinion” is the Common Core label given to argument writing in Grades K-5. It is the stepping stone to argument. “Argument” is the label used in Grades 6-12. It refers to logical arguments which are convincing because of their merit and reasonableness, rather than emotion or the credentials of the writer. “Persuasion” conveys an appeal to the reader’s self-interest or emotions.

3. So to sum it all up: Grades 6-12 Grades K-5

4. Forms of Persuasive Writing • Advertisements • Editorials • Speeches • Propaganda • Reviews • Blogs • Persuasive Essays

5. Purpose Support a cause Urge people to action Make a change Prove something wrong Persuasive Statement “Please support my football team by buying discount coupons.” “Vote for Sarah!” “The principal should let us wear hats.” “Cell phones don’t cause brain cancer.” Persuasive Writing can be used to…

6. Purpose Stir up sympathy Create interest Get people to agree with you Persuasive Statement “If you don’t adopt this dog, it could have to live in a shelter.” “Better grades get you a better job and more money.” “I am sure you’ll agree that Milky Way is the best candy bar.” Persuasive Writing can be used to…

7. The Persuasive Essay

8. First…Know Your Audience… • Before you start writing, you should know your audience: • Who will read your writing? Who do you need to convince? • The audience may be your friends, your teacher, your parents, your principal, the readers of a newspaper or the President of the United States! • Will you be graded? On What? • Should you be casual or professional?

9. Second… Pick a side! • The writer must clearly state his/her position and stay with that position. Pick a side! • Generally, the position is stated in the opening paragraph or introduction.

10. Three: Do Your Research… In order to convince the reader you need more than just an opinion; you need facts or examples (the text provided) to back your opinion. So, be sure to do the research! Then use text evidence you find! Walsh Publishing Co. 2009

11. Four: MAKE A PLAN, then write! The 6 Paragraph Essay: 1. Introduction/Hook/Thesis 2. Argument 1 with support 3. Argument 2 with support 4. Argument 3 with support 5. Show the counter-argument and make an argument against it 6. Conclusion

12. Practice

13. Frozen Movie Review • As you are watching the review, look for the following: • : • What is movie critic Richard Roeper’s opinion of the movie Frozen? • Whatreasonsdoes he give for his opinion? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4tp4nBHG1E

14. What Were Your Observations? Opinion Writing Graphic Organizer What did Richard Roeper think of the movie Frozen? RichardRoeper thought Frozen was a good movie. Opinion: The number of reasons for a task will vary (but it is usually three for standard writing) depending on the purpose and text used. Gorgeous animation Reason: Memorable characters Reason: Reason: Filled with action, heart, and energy Conclusion:

15. Frozen Movie Review http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4tp4nBHG1E Watch the movie review again. Find support (evidence) for your reasons listed. 2. Remember, each reason may not have an equal number of support (evidence)! 3. Record your findings on the map in the “supporting details” sections.

16. A Second What Were Your Observations? Opinion Writing Graphic Organizer Opinion: Richard Roeper thought Frozen was a good movie. Reason: Gorgeous animation Support reveals More Details! Support: Vibrant colors 3-D Animation Memorable characters Reason: Anna, is Elsa’s adoring sister Support: Anna’s sister, Elsa is the Ice Queen Snowman Olaf is scene stealer & comic relief Reason: Filled with action, heart, and energy Support: Adventure story Show stopping songs

17. Do: Divide into 5 paragraphs Have a thesis statement in your introduction Come up with 3 main points to support your argument—these will be your 3 body paragraphs Show the “counter -argument” Have a conclusion that has a “clincher statement” Come up with a catchy title Don’t : Don’t begin with “Hello my name is___ and I’m going to write about____” Don’t use the word “I “ (Instead of “I think we shouldn’t wear uniforms” say “Uniforms shouldn’t be required.” Don’t be wishy-washy. Pick a side! Don’t forget to support your opinions with facts and example s DOs and DON’Ts of Persuasive Writing:

18. Text Structure of a Persuasive Essay

19. The Great Introduction… What makes an good introduction? • It grabs or “hooks” the reader’s attention by using one or more of the following strategies: • An anecdote or scenario • A quotation • An interesting fact or statistic • A question • It tells how the writing will be organized. • The author’s position is clearly stated in a thesis statement.

20. Lead / HookGrab the Reader’s Attention

21. You Could Start with a Riddle: • Get your reader’s attention with a challenging thought. • “What’s plain, and boring? What makes all students in a school building look the same and lose their individuality? If you guessed UNIFORMS, you’re correct!”

22. You Could Begin with a Strong Statement: • Example: • Fast food consumption has risen 500 percent since 1970 and today reaches nearly every part of society, including some public school cafeterias.

23. You Could Open with a Quotation: • Example: University of Delaware professor states: “Advertising, including television ads, billboards, and other advertising, including toys in boxed meals, has had an effect upon children as never before. Children these days are growing up with low concern for their health and more concern for what tastes good.”

24. You Could Open with a interesting fact: • Example: • “Did you know that a typical child needs 2,000 calories for an entire day and Burger King’s Whopper with triple cheese has 1,230 calories?”

25. You Could Open with an Anecdote: • An anecdote can provide an amusing and attention-getting opening if it is short and to the point. • “My hands felt sticky after pulling open the doors to “Big Bobby’s Boisterous Burger Hut”. The odor smelled of fried everything. I ordered a Big Bobby Combo #2. There was enough food to serve a small third world country on my tray. I nibbled at the ¾ pound burger and my chin was covered in a mayonnaise and ketchup concoction. I asked the server if I could have a few fries with my salt. I left the place feeling like my stomach was mad at me.”

26. You Could Open with a Fact or Statistic: • Example: • Thirty percent of the children in the survey ate fast food on any given day during the survey, and they ate an average of 187 calories a day more than those who did not eat fast food. These additional calories could account for an extra six pounds of weight gain per year, according to Ludwig.

27. You Could Open with a Question: • I wonder how many times I have eaten fast food this month?

28. Open with an Outrageous Statement: • Example: • “Fast food is killing America!”

29. Next: Creating a Thesis Statement • A thesis statement is one sentence at the end of your introduction that states your opinion. It needs to be strong. • First, choose 3 main focus points to discuss in your essay. These points will become the focus of three paragraphs in the body of your paper. Let’s use fast food as an example again. Fast food…(3 Discussion Points) • rapidly increases weight • causes high blood pressure • leads to sluggishness

30. A thesis statement should • contain a topic (main idea of what you are writing about) • contain an opinion about the topic (what your attitude is toward the topic)

31. A thesis statement should not be too broad. • Too Broad • The world is a magnificent place to live. • Better • Good students make Highlands Middle School a fantastic school.

32. Which sentence is too broad to be a good thesis statement? • One reason to live in White Plains is because it is very close to New York City. • Mountain City is a great place to live.

33. Too Broad • White Plains is a great place to live.

34. A thesis statement should not be too wordy. Wordy • Some problems with Highlands Middle School are that it needs a larger playground, an air conditioned gym,, restrooms connected to each classroom, running water in the classrooms, and a number of other physical changes to the building. Better • Highlands Middle School needs several changes to its facility to make it a better school.

35. Which sentence is too wordy to be a good thesis statement? A. Abe Lincoln was one of the best presidents the United States has ever known. B. Abe Lincoln was an excellent speaker, the 16th President of the United States, a liberator of slaves, and united the North and South at the end of the American Civil War.

36. Too Wordy • Abe Lincoln was an excellent speaker, the 16th President of the United States, a liberator of slaves, and united the North and South at the end of the American Civil War.

37. A thesis statement should not be too general. • Too general • Highlands Middle School is a good school. • Better • Daily writing practice has led to improved writing skills for the students at Highlands Middle School.

38. Which sentence is too general to be a good thesis statement? A. Music makes people happy. B. Music therapy is useful in relieving stress and other conditions.

39. A thesis statement should not be a title. • A title • Cost of Living • Better • The cost of living in White Plains is higher than in many other cities in the United States.

40. Which sentence would not be a good thesis statement because it is a title? A. Good teaching has led to an increase in ELA scores at Highlands Middle School. B. Rising ELA Scores at Highlands Middle School.

41. A Title • Rising ELA Scores at Highlands Middle School

42. A thesis statement should not be a a fact. • A fact • The average temperature for White Plains in winter is in the 20’s and in summer is in the 80’s. • Better • The climate in White Plains is ideal for outdoor sports almost all year round.

43. Which sentence would not be a good thesis statement because it is a fact? A. The recycling of one aluminum can saves enough energy to run a TV for three hours. B. Recycling is one of the most important jobs a person can do to protect our environment.

44. A Fact • The recycling of one aluminum can saves enough energy to run a TV for three hours.

45. More Practice

46. Directions: 1) Find the opinion words in the statement. If there are no opinion words, it is not a thesis statement. 2) Tell if the statement is a good thesis statement. • Although most people believe otherwise, bats are harmless and highly beneficial.

47. Directions: 1) Find the opinion words in the statement. If there are no opinion words, it is not a thesis statement. 2) Tell if the statement is a good thesis statement. • In this essay I will discuss the crime rate in Mountain City.

48. Directions: 1) Find the opinion words in the statement. If there are no opinion words, it is not a thesis statement. 2) Tell if the statement is a good thesis statement. • Energetic exercise is a good way to help relieve stress.

49. Writing the Thesis Statement • Now take your three main focus points and summarize them. Put your completed thesis statement at the end of your first paragraph. THREE MAIN FOCUS POINTS • Fast food is harmful because it rapidly increases weight, causes high blood pressure, and leads to lethargy. COMPLETED THESIS STATEMENT • Fast food has negative health effects.

50. Thesis and Forecast A thesis statement is always one sentence that states your assertion (belief) about a topic. A thesis statement usually includes a forecast (brief preview of your arguments). ____________________ because of argument 1, argument 2, and argument 3.