Persuasive
Writing
TOPIC: Persuasive Writing
Fusco, 2012-2013
Persuasive writing is…
• A piece of writing in which
you try to convince a reader
to believe what YOU believe
about a certain topic.
Some DOs and DON’Ts
Do:
• Divide into 5 paragraphs
• Have a thesis statement in
your introduction (a
statement that guides your
writing about the topic)
• Come up with 3 main points
to support your argument—
these will be your 3 body
paragraphs
• Have a conclusion that
contains a clincher
statement
• Come up with an engaging
title
• Research your topic!
• Have a quote/research in
each body par.
Don’t:
• Begin with “hello my name
is___ and I’m going to
write about____”
• Don’t overuse “I” (instead
of I think we shouldn’t wear
uniforms say “Uniforms
shouldn’t be required”)
• Be wishy washy. Pick a side.
Fusco’s stages of writing
• Brainstorming (Narrow down and pick
your topic from the 4 issues)
• Organizing (2 graphic organizers…
choose one you like the best)
• Rough Drafting
• Peer Editing (2 times?)
• Final Polished Copy (typed!)
Brainstorming
• What topic do you think you could write
the best persuasive piece about?
Issue #1: Should scientific testing on animals be banned?
Issue #2: Should the voting age be lowered to 13?
Issue #3: Should boys and girls be taught in separate classes?
Issue #4: Should schools provide only healthy food options?
These are things that make
a fustastic persuasive essay
• A title
• A thought provoking thesis statement (that
guides your entire writing piece)
• An interesting introduction with a hook
• 3 beautiful body paragraphs with specific,
fully developed reasons and examples!
• Transition words between paragraphs
• A killer conclusion with a clincher statement
What is a thesis
statement?
• A thesis statement is one sentence
at the end of your introduction that
states your opinion. Do not write, “I
believe or I feel…” Your thesis needs
to be clear and be a strong sentence!
Which one is more
thought provoking?
#1 This essay will describe why cell
phones should be used in school.
#2 School board policy should be
changed in order to implement cell
phones into the curriculum.
An interesting
introduction with a hook
• Never write, “Hello….blah blah blah” or “This essay will
be about…” BORING!
• You never get a second chance to make a first
impression.
• Some techniques we will learn about:
– Anecdote
– Riddles
– Fragment technique
– Quotations
– Shocking statement
Anecdote
A short story within an introduction to
make the point clear.
Example:
• Sally got out of bed, and looked at the
alarm clock. She was running late! She
would have to hurry to catch the bus.
This was one of those days that she
was glad that her school had a uniform
policy…she wouldn’t have to waste much
time picking out an outfit.
Riddles
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!
Fragment technique
Uses 3 short fragments to create an image.
• Example:
Buzz, Buzz, Buzz… missed call?, missed text?
Worrying more about his cell phone than
English class made Spencer’s grades drop.
Quotations
• Quote from a respectable source:
Newspaper, Magazine, Springboard, etc.
or
Perhaps use a famous quote to draw your
reader in?
This may make the reader intrigued with
your research and evidence…making them
want to read more!
Shocking statements
Provides statistics or facts that startles
readers to pull them into your story.
• Example:
Can you believe that over 90% of students
bring their cell phones to school while only
42% of students graduate on time?
3 body paragraphs with
innovative ideas
• You should come up with three points
to support your opinion
• Each of the points will be turned into
a body paragraph
• Try to think of ideas that no one else
would think of
3 body paragraphs with
innovative ideas
(an example)
• Your school has a uniform policy. Some
people argue that uniforms in schools are
beneficial because they cause less
distractions, and some argue that they are
not a good idea because they take away a
student’s individuality. Do you agree or
disagree with uniform policy? Make sure
to support your position
3 body paragraphs with
innovative ideas
(an example)
Thesis: Uniform policies are beneficial in schools,
and should be implemented nationwide.
Reason 1: Allows for less bullying based on
wardrobe.
Reason 2: Students will concentrate more on the
educational process and less on attire.
Reason 3: It cuts down on cost of school clothes
and time spent getting ready in the morning.
Transitional words and
phrases
• Transition words move from one
thought to the next
• Usually at the beginning of 3 body
paragraphs
• Avoid the same weak transition
words! (first, next, last)
A killer conclusion with a
clincher statement
• A clincher statement is the last line
of your paper that truly wows the
reader!
• Clincher statements leave a lasting
impression on the reader.
A killer conclusion with a
clincher statement
• Overall, over 95% of parents polled are in
agreement with a school wide uniform
policy. Uniforms allow students to be who
they are, not what they wear. After all,
shouldn’t school be about academics rather
than apparel? It’s time our nation got
back to reading, writing, and
arithmetic….not brand names.
Let’s Fusview…
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What is a persuasive essay?
What are some DOs?
What are some DON’Ts?
What makes a fustastic persuasive writing piece?
What are the stages of writing?
What is a thesis statement?
What are transition words?
What are some interesting ways to start a
persuasive essay?
• How many paragraphs will be needed in this essay?
How will I be assessed?
• See the MOLDy Rubric! This is a
major grade for MP4 (30%)
MEANING
ORGANIZATION
LANGUAGE USE
DEVELOPMENT
Now…
Get fustarted on the first writing stage:
1) Brainstorming! (pick a topic from the writing
assignment: 3 to choose from!)
Then, complete the organizer! (choose one)
and then start drafting.