Persuasive Writing Skills

1. Persuasive Writing Skills English 10-A 2013

2. Paragraph 1: The “Lead” AKA as an introductory paragraph This paragraph should include 3 parts: 1. An attention-getter 2. A preview of the arguments you will present 3. A strong position statement

3. 1. Begin with an attention catcher A.K.A. a hook, a generator, an attention getter…you get the idea! This can be done in with an ANECDOTE, a QUOTE, a STARTLING FACT OR STATISTIC, or in the form of a RHETORICAL QUESTION! Example: What would you think if you had to put your personal belongings in a crate, and every time you turn around something of yours were stolen?

4. 2. Preview the Arguments Example: Students need lockers to protect their things, keep their things somewhere clean, and so they won’t have to complain about carrying everything at once.

5. 3. Include a Position Statement …and KEEP it! This is the proper name for the Thesis Statement in a Persuasive Essay • Example: • Therefore, I strongly believe that students should have lockers in our school.

6. Body Paragraph(s) : Your Argument(s) ~ the PROs In each body paragraph, you must include the following: • Topic sentence that clearly states the argument. • A few supporting details that can include any of the following: • Examples/Facts • Statistics • Quotes • Expert Opinion • Anecdotes OTHER MUST-HAVES • Use of Convincing/Persuasive Language (AKA loaded language) • Use of transitions that help your information be conveyed clearly and smoothly

7. Example of a Body Paragraph My final reason why I think students should have lockers is so students won’t complain about carrying everything at once. The things that they may be caring everyday are very heavy. This is important because students may suffer health problems from having to carry all their stuff everywhere. Why carry books everyday why you can eliminate the pain by having a locker to store the things you don’t need? Also, they’re always whining about having to carry all their books. If we had lockers everyone would be happier.

8. Next-to-the-Last Paragraph:Counterpoints ~ the CONs • In this paragraph, the writer must: • Address reader concerns or objections • Show the reader how his concerns or objections can be dealt with EXAMPLE: There are not too many advantages to NOT having a locker. Although one could argue that a student who is forced to carry all of his books will never be unprepared for class, that is not true because he would probably be very disorganized which leads to lack of preparation. A second reason is that a student without a locker would most likely be on time for class since he would not be attempting to get from the location of the locker to his next class. To refute that idea, not having a locker is not the only problem that causes tardiness, especially if the halls are congested or if that student’s next class is on the opposite side of the building. The final reason one may benefit from not having a locker could be that students would become physically stronger from carrying his books around, although studies have shown that carrying heavy backpacks actually lead to back and neck discomfort and sometimes even more severe problems.

9. The Conclusion The Conclusion should include: Re-state your position statement (state the same idea but in a DIFFERENT WAY) Summarize the main points/arguments Make a call for actionor request the reader’s help, if applicable End with a clincher statement

10. Example Conclusion In conclusion I think students should have lockers. If we have lockers stealing in school would go down, it would create a safe and clean place for students to put their things, and students would complain less and be healthier.  If we had lockers, the school would be a happier place for everyone.  If you don’t want your things stolen, contact your principal and demand lockers for your school.