Persuasive Essay and Prompts - PDF

							                     Persuasive Essay and Prompts
   Persuasive writing attempts to convince the reader that the point of view
or course of action recommended by the writer is valid. To accomplish this,
the writer must develop a limited topic which is well defined and debatable,
that is has more than one side. It is important that the author understand
other sides of the position so that the strongest information to counter the
others can be presented. In the essay, only one side of the issue is presented.
The goal of this essay is to win acceptance of your ideas when other may not
agree with your position.

   Like all kinds of five paragraph essays, there is a specific format to be
followed.

            The topic sentence cannot be a fact as facts cannot be debated. It
            should be a statement of position. That position must be clear and
            direct. This statement directs the readers to follow along with
            your logic towards the specific stated conclusion that you want
            them to support. Do not make it personal so do not use personal
            pronouns. Make it definitive.
            Then, in the same introductory paragraph, state the three best
            reasons that you have to support your position as the remainder
            of the opening paragraph. These reasons become the topics of
            each of the three supporting paragraphs. Again, be sure they are
            able to be supported with additional separate facts. This is your
            thesis sentence.
            In the body of the essay, the writer uses specific evidence,
            examples, and statistics and not broad generalizations or personal
            opinions to persuade the reader that the stated position is a valid
            one. Each topic sentence for the support paragraphs have been
            introduced in the beginning paragraph. Each additional sentence
            must closely relate to the topic and the sentence that came before
            it. This way, the logic of the argument is easy to follow.
            Be sure to use adequate transitions between paragraphs as they
            make it easy for the reader to follow the logic of the presentation.
            As one closes the essay, it is most important to clearly redefine the
            topic and restate the most compelling evidence cited in original
            form. Remember, this is the last chance to remind the reader and
            convince him/her to accept the writer's position.
            Do not introduce new material in the conclusion.
                                 PERSUASIVE STRATEGIES
Once you have an opinion and reason

ns that support it, how can you be really persuasive? You should become familiar with
some persuasive strategies—techniques that people use to try to convince someone of
something.

   1. Offer a precedent – A precedent is a situation that may be used as an example in
      dealing with a similar situation later. Has someone you know behaved in a way
      that you might offer as an example? Then, to persuade you neighbor to let you
      babysit, you might say this:

       My brother Andy babysat for the Cohens when he was my age, and they were very pleased with
       him.

   2. Appeal to fairness – You can try to appeal to your audience’s sense of what is fair
      or not fair. Be sure, however, that you have a solid example to back up this reason.
      It is not enough simply to state that something is unfair. To persuade you
      neighbor that you are not too young to babysit, you might give this reason:

       It’s not fair to judge me on my age alone. I’ve had experience babysitting in my own family, and
       my parents agree that I am responsible and capable.

   3. Overcome Objections - Think about likely objections when you plan your
      argument, and answer them before they are raised. If you think that your
      neighbor might object to our lack of formal babysitting experience, you might
      present this argument:

       While it is true that I have never had a babysitting job outside my home before, I have often taken
       care of my two younger sisters.

   4. Explore consequences – What could happen if you succeed in persuading your
      audience? What are some of the possible results of your argument? List the
      favorable ones and overcome the unfavorable ones. Here is what you might tell
      your neighbor:
      If I do a good job, then you will have found a reliable sitter who can work every afternoon. If I do
      not do a good job, then you can simply look for someone else.
PERSUASIVE PHRASES

Appeal to fairness –

      ―____________________________ is not fair for many reasons.‖
      ―It’s not fair to _____________________ if __________________.‖

Overcome Objectives –

      ―Some people will say… However, ….‖
      ―Some people wilol say… Actually…‖

Precedent –

      ―My cousin who lives in Georgia…‖
      ―Last week in the news…‖

Explore Consequences –

      ―If we …. Then…‖