How to write a Persuasive Essay

1. How to write a Persuasive Essay A Quick and Painless Guide Adapted from: AlicjaTamowski’sPrezi, Oct 5, 2012

2. Why write it? • TWO GOALS • To convince your readers that your argument (your thesis) is true and valid • To motivate readers to take action

3. Important persuasive vocabulary Claim: your main argument or thesis Counterargument: the opposing side’s argument (the opposite opinion). You must address and respond to this to make a strong persuasive argument. Rebuttal: Your response to the counterargument, explaining why they are right and you are wrong. Logos: logic. Using facts, data, or information to support your claim Pathos: appealing to emotions. Getting people to “feel” about your topic in order to convince them you’re right

4. Make it Count! Any good persuasive essay takes a side of an argument, then uses plenty of logos (logic and facts) and pathos (appealing to the audience’s emotions) to back up their opinion. Look at an argument from ALL angles. Where would someone else disagree with you (a counterargument)? How would you respond to them (your rebuttal)? A good persuasive essay needs lots of EVIDENCE! That’s why you must READ what others have to say before entering the conversation.

5. How do you organize it? • INTRODUCTION • Hook: Grab people’s interest • Elaborate: State and describe the issue you are going to discuss • Your point of view (opinion) + your three main ideas why • BODY PARAGRAPHS (3) • Topic sentence (include how it relates to thesis) • Supporting detail (example, statistic, quote, etc.) • Statement of any counterarguments to this topic • Your rebuttal to this counterargument • Final statement/conclusion • CONCLUSION • Thesis restatement • Summary of arguments • Final thoughts, recommendations, or calls to action

6. In the following example essay, BE SURE TO PAY ATTENTION TO THE TYPES OF EVIDENCE USED, AND HOW SOURCES ARE CITED

7. “Why Students Shouldn’t Plagiarize” EXAMPLE ESSAY

8. Reason 2 Reason 3 THREE MAIN REASONS Reason 1

9. Reason 1 Argument Reason 3 Reason 2

10. BODY PARAGRAPH 1 TOPIC SENTENCE: Firstly, students should not plagiarize because it is unethical. (Notice how I refer back to the thesis…) SUPPORT DETAIL 1: Students who plagiarize take credit for work that they did not do. A lot of time and effort is needed to produce something original. To simply take another person’s ideas and claim ownership negates all of their hard work. (logos) SUPPORT DETAIL 2: Plagiarism is the same as stealing. It is morally no better than stealing a car or any other piece of property – they both belong to someone else and can’t be stolen without serious repercussions. (logos and pathos) COUNTERARGUMENT: Some might argue that all words and ideas have been said before. Therefore, plagiarism is unavoidable and not dishonest at all. REBUTTAL: This argument is completely invalid. Indeed, all ideas have very likely been though of before; however, their sources can often be located quite easily with a little research. You can prove any point with examples, facts, and statements, if you are willing to do a little research. CONCLUDING SENTENCE: Therefore, plagiarism should be avoided because it is form of academic dishonesty.

11. CONCLUSION This is the kind of stuff that makes your writing both interesting and important. OPTIONAL FINAL SENTENCE:

13. To Get a 4: • In addition to fulfilling the requirements on the rubric that follows, • You must read and turn in thoughtful notes for 4 articles with your paper. • You must cite at least 5 different sources in your paper.

14. To Get a 3: • In addition to fulfilling the requirements on the rubric that follows, • You must read and turn in notes for 3 articles with your paper. • You must cite at least 3 different sources.

16. QUESTIONS?