Persuasive Writing

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Persuasive Writing
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What is a persuasive writing?

• It is an essay or letter or editorial that
  expresses your opinion on a controversial issue.

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What should I have in my writing to make it
persuasive?

• Exact words and specific examples
• 
  (vs. weak details)
• This is Weak
• Bicycling is a great way to exercise. People of
  all ages can bicycle. It doesnt cost a lot. It
  doesnt take too much work. You get outdoors
  when you bicycle. Its good for your health.
  Its fun too.

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• This is Exact and Specific
• For many reasons recreational biking is a
  great way to keep your body fit. Children as
  young as three and adults in their 80s can
  partake in this form of exercise with little to
  no cost once a bicycle is purchased. With just a
  little bit of leg action and a good sense of
  balance and coordination, one can enjoy the fresh
  air and sunshine of the outdoors. It certainly
  will keep the blood pumping and help maintain
  healthy bones and joint movement. Best of all,
  bicycling opens the door to all kinds of fun
  activities as you trail through woods, race with
  friends, or just peddle around the neighborhood.

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What else could I have in my writing to make it
persuasive?

• Polite Language Negative language creates very
  negative responses. Many people will dismiss
  what you are saying because you have made an
  attack on people (or an organization) who support
  the opposing side of the argument. You will lose
  their respect and/or lose the argument.

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What other strategies can I use?

• Cite a precedent Explain what has already been
  done that has created negative or positive
  results.
• -What precedent could you cite in support of
  eliminating extreme violence in video games?
• -What precedent could you site to convince the
  school district to build a new middle school ?
• -What precedent could you cite to convince your
  readers that the government could never outlaw
  cigarette smoking.

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• Anticipate Objections Use the opposition to
  your advantage. Let the reader know that you are
  fully aware of the positives or negatives on the
  other side of the issue.
• Be ready to answer or reveal possible
• objections before they are mentioned by the
  opposing side.

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• Explore Consequences
• Consider what will happen if your opinion is
  supported or rejected.

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• Use Propaganda (is this a bad word?)
• Testimonial- Michael Jordan says, I wear Nike
  and I always win.
• Bandwagon- Dont be left out! Join the crowd at
  Macys.
• Faulty Cause and Effect- When I drove my car on
  Westward Way, I got a flat tire. I wont
  drive on that road anymore.
• Hasty Generalization- Forever 21 is the hottest
  new store around. Its
• products are the best.
• Transfer- A dive in a pool is refreshing.
  Vitamin Water is too.
• Emotional Words A Gucci purse will delight you.
• Not a real quote

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How do I begin my Persuasive Writing?
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Eight Steps to Success

• Step 1 Choose a topic that interests you or
  one that you know something about.

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• Step 2 Research a little, ask questions,
• talk to friends or family about the
• topic. Know both sides of the issue.

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• Step 3 Form an opinion take a side.

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• Step 4 Brainstorm at least three reasons
• that will support your opinion.
• Collect lots of examples so that
• you can develop your reasons.

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• Step 5 Outline/ Arrange your reasons in
• order of importance.
• You can go from
• most important
• to least important
• or visa versa

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• Step 6
• Lead Your introduction must be strong. It
  should hook the reader. This is a great spot for
  developing voice and raising the interest level.
  
• Both the issue (topic) and the position you
  are taking should be very clear.

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• Step 7 Conclusion
• Your conclusion can be a separate paragraph or
  appear at the end of your final support
  paragraph. Here you should not repeat what has
  already been written. You should express a final
  thought or fact. There should be strong emphasis
  here and that is often created using a clincher
• sentence.

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• Step 8 Review the seven traits to produce a
  good writing. Use a check list to ensure that
  you are on your way
• to a 5 or 6 score.