Persuasive Writing

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Persuasive Writing

• How to write so people will agree with you.

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Elements of Persuasive Texts

• ? The issue is the idea that you are writing
  about.
• ? The point of view is your opinion about the
  issue.
• ? The evidence is the reasons you are using to
  support your argument.
• ? The examples provide support and help to
  illustrate the reasons.

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Choosing a topic

• Why I should have a pet
• School uniforms are a bad idea
• Kids should be allowed to drive
• Fast food is good for you
• Soccer is better than baseball
• Recess should be longer
• Schools dont need a dress code
• The school day should be shorter
• Gum should be allowed in school

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Thinking about your topic

• one way to explore your ideas is to first
  consider the different sides of the issue.
• Think aloud and record one or two reasons for and
  one or two reasons against the issue from the
  information that you already know.

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TV is bad for kids

• Reasons FOR the issue
• They sit around and dont exercise leading to
  obesity
• There is a lot of violence and inappropriate
  stuff on tv

• Reasons AGAINST the issue
• There are a lot of excellent learning shows

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Write your outline

• Introduction State your point of view tell
  what you are going to prove with your essay and
  why it is important. Begin with a great lead
  sentence.
• Body (middle) Two paragraphs each one has a
  fact and/or example to support your point of
  view.
• Body (continued) One paragraph that gives a
  reason someone might disagree with you and why
  they are wrong (dispute the counteragument)
• Conclusion - restates your point of view.

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Lets talk about the counterargument

• A counterargument has three parts
• 1. Counterclaim Some people feel that sharks are
  bloodthirsty predators.
• 2. Evidence About thirty species of sharks are
  known to attack humans.
• 3. Discrediting this evidence by providing other
  evidence However, there are a total of over 350
  kinds of sharks! That means that for the 30
  species that may have attacked humans, there are
  at least 30 others that havent! Yet we lump all
  sharks into this bloodthirsty image.

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Writing your introduction ideas for a lead
sentence

• ? State both sides of the issue, and make it
  clear which side you support.
• ? Begin with a quote or anecdote that draws the
  reader in right from the start.
• ? Ask a thought-provoking question to get the
  reader thinking about the issue.
• ? State an interesting statistic or fact.

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Tips to persuade

• To help sway people to your side you can use
  these ideas

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Research
Using reliable research can help your argument
seem important.
Example A recent study found that students who
watch TV during the week dont do as well in
school.
11
Getting people to feel happy, sad, or angry can
help your argument.
Example Your donation might just get this puppy
off the street and into a good home.
12
Try to convince your audience that this issue is
time sensitive.
Example Greenhouse gases are melting our polar
caps so fast that we have to act now!
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Words and phrases to use

• Although some people believe _____, it may
  actually be argued that _____.
• Some people feel that _____. In reality,
  however, _____.
• Despite _____, I want to argue that _____.
• While it may be true that _____, the real point
  to consider is that _____.
• Even though most people dont see _____, I want
  to suggest _____.

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Words that persuade

• ? Important
• ? Best
• ? Effective
• ? Strong reason
• ? Deserve
• ? Practical
• ? Benefits
• ? Perfect solution
• ? If , then

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• Words to list reasons and show sequence
• ? First, , First of all, , To begin with,
• ? Second, , Secondly, , In addition, , Next,
  , Then,
• ? Lastly, , Finally, , Most of all

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• Words to add information or examples
• ? For example, , For instance, , In order to
• ? In addition, , Another, , Besides, ,
  Together with, , Along with,
• ? Lets not forget, , Lets remember, ,
  Finally,

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• Words to emphasize a point
• ? As I just mentioned,
• ? For this reason, , In fact,
• ? Surprisingly, , Again,

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Words for your counterargument

• Begin with a counterclaim
• ? It might seem that
• ? Some people might think
• ? Of course
• Provide evidence that supports this claim.
• Discredit this evidence by providing other
  evidence
• ? Nevertheless
• ? But
• ? However
• ? Despite this

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• Words to summarize your point of view (for your
  conclusion)
• ? Please consider/reconsider
• ? In conclusion,
• ? Remember,
• ? This is important because