Persuasive WritingPersuasive Writing

Planning, Drafting, Planning, Drafting, Composing, Editing, Composing, Editing, Revising, Finalizing, Revising, Finalizing,

PresentingPresenting

Selecting Topics for Persuasive Selecting Topics for Persuasive SpeechSpeech

Find an Arguable Topic:Find an Arguable Topic: Not all topics are suitable for Not all topics are suitable for

argumentargument Brainstorm possible topicsBrainstorm possible topics Two kinds of argument – Two kinds of argument –

Position & ProposalPosition & Proposal

Selecting Topics for Persuasive Selecting Topics for Persuasive SpeechSpeech

Position: Position: Define the issueDefine the issue Take a clear positionTake a clear position Make a convincing argumentMake a convincing argument Acknowledge opposing viewsAcknowledge opposing views

Selecting Topics for Persuasive Selecting Topics for Persuasive SpeechSpeech

Proposal: Proposal: Define the problemDefine the problem Propose a solution or solutionsPropose a solution or solutions Explain why the solution will work Explain why the solution will work

and is feasibleand is feasible

Selecting Topics for Persuasive Selecting Topics for Persuasive SpeechSpeech

Topics not easily argued and to Topics not easily argued and to avoid:avoid:

Statements of fact Statements of fact Personal tastePersonal taste Claims of belief or faithClaims of belief or faith

Make an arguable claimMake an arguable claim

SloganSlogan – short with no arguable – short with no arguable claimclaim

Vote for candidate XVote for candidate X Arguable claimArguable claim – includes a reason, – includes a reason,

typically linked to the slogan by typically linked to the slogan by ““becausebecause””

Vote for candidate X because she will Vote for candidate X because she will lower taxes and improve schools.lower taxes and improve schools.

Possible Topics:Possible Topics:AdoptionAdoption

Public smokingPublic smokingGraduation requirements Graduation requirements Neutrality vs. involvementNeutrality vs. involvement

Homelessness/ poverty Homelessness/ poverty Community service as criteria for Community service as criteria for

graduationgraduationRacial profilingRacial profiling

Pollution/ environmental concernsPollution/ environmental concernsSweat shopsSweat shops

Over populationOver populationOlympics in HoustonOlympics in Houston

Student’s rightsStudent’s rightsImmigrationImmigration

Animal testingAnimal testingPublic shamingPublic shamingSchool securitySchool securityBanned booksBanned booksPolitical issuesPolitical issues

Underpaid civil workers (police, Underpaid civil workers (police, firemen, etc.)firemen, etc.)

Community service v. jail timeCommunity service v. jail time

Hate crimesHate crimesAssisted suicideAssisted suicideGenetic engineering/cloningGenetic engineering/cloningStem Cell researchStem Cell researchDrug testing in sports, work place, etc.Drug testing in sports, work place, etc.School vouchersSchool vouchersParental advisories – video games, Parental advisories – video games,

movies, TVmovies, TVGun controlGun controlAnimal CrueltyAnimal CrueltyCensorshipCensorshipViolence in films, video games, TVViolence in films, video games, TVCollege admissionsCollege admissionsAutomatic admissions for top 10%Automatic admissions for top 10%Nuclear weapons bansNuclear weapons bansCapitol punishmentCapitol punishmentPrayer in schoolPrayer in schoolPunishment v. abusePunishment v. abuseAliens: fact or fictionAliens: fact or fictionInternational Space Station, NASAInternational Space Station, NASASAT issuesSAT issues

TO DO: Select a TO DO: Select a topic and create topic and create

an arguable claim an arguable claim statementstatement

Claims must be specific and Claims must be specific and contestable:contestable:

Specific:Specific: Avoid broad generalitiesAvoid broad generalities Specificity restricts your claim and makes Specificity restricts your claim and makes

it manageableit manageable

Contestable:Contestable: Must have more than one side to the Must have more than one side to the

argumentargument Sides must be addressed and rebuttedSides must be addressed and rebutted Sides must be reasonable Sides must be reasonable

Develop and Organize Good ReasonsDevelop and Organize Good ReasonsThink of reasons to support your claim.Think of reasons to support your claim.

Think of how to relay the support to your audience.Think of how to relay the support to your audience.

Think about your audience:Think about your audience:1.1. Who am I writing for?Who am I writing for?2.2. What does my audience What does my audience

already know about the already know about the topic?topic?

3.3. What is my audience’s What is my audience’s point of view about the point of view about the subject?subject?

4.4. Does my audience already Does my audience already agree or disagree with my agree or disagree with my position?position?

5.5. What are the chances of What are the chances of changing the opinions and changing the opinions and behavior of my audience?behavior of my audience?

6.6. Are there any sensitive Are there any sensitive issues I should be aware issues I should be aware of?of?

7.7. If my audience disagrees If my audience disagrees with me, why do they with me, why do they disagree?disagree?

Possible lines of Possible lines of argument:argument:

1.1. Can you argue by Can you argue by definition – from “the definition – from “the nature of the thing”?nature of the thing”?

2.2. Can you argue from Can you argue from value?value?

3.3. Can you compare or Can you compare or contrast?contrast?

4.4. Can you argue from Can you argue from consequence?consequence?

5.5. Can you counter Can you counter objections to your objections to your position?position?

Think about your organization:Think about your organization:

I.I. Introduction:Introduction: Captures the reader’s Captures the reader’s attention, defines the issue or problem, attention, defines the issue or problem, and expresses the writer’s thesis or and expresses the writer’s thesis or indicates the writer’s stance.indicates the writer’s stance.

II.II. Body:Body: Supports the writer’s thesis in Supports the writer’s thesis in paragraphs that present reasons, facts, paragraphs that present reasons, facts, examples, and expert opinions. examples, and expert opinions. Opposing views are raised and Opposing views are raised and discussed.discussed.

III.III. Conclusion:Conclusion: Presents summary or Presents summary or strong conclusive evidence – logically strong conclusive evidence – logically drawn from the arguments – that drawn from the arguments – that underscores the writer’s thesis.underscores the writer’s thesis.

Persuasive OutlinePersuasive Outline5 paragraphs – 750 – 1000 words5 paragraphs – 750 – 1000 words

I. IntroductionI. Introductiona. clarifies topica. clarifies topicb. capture’s audience’s attentionb. capture’s audience’s attentionc. states emphatically your position – Arguable Claim.c. states emphatically your position – Arguable Claim.

II. Body paragraphs [8.2] (3 reasons –1 paragraph per II. Body paragraphs [8.2] (3 reasons –1 paragraph per reason)reason)

a. state reasona. state reasonb. one example of reasonb. one example of reasonc. explanation of example’s relations to reason (2 c. explanation of example’s relations to reason (2 sentences)sentences)d. second example of reasond. second example of reasone. explanation of example’s relations to reason (2 e. explanation of example’s relations to reason (2 sentences)sentences)f. transition sentence to next reason/conclusionf. transition sentence to next reason/conclusion

III. ConclusionIII. Conclusiona. must not simply restate other paragraphsa. must not simply restate other paragraphsb. reminds reader of important reasons and examplesb. reminds reader of important reasons and examplesc. asks reader to act upon the topic to solve this c. asks reader to act upon the topic to solve this problemproblem

Label one copy of your final draftLabel one copy of your final draft

Create a key which clearly identifies each of the Create a key which clearly identifies each of the following:following:

Label your arguable claim or thesis Label your arguable claim or thesis statement.statement.

Label your reasons (3) in the body of the Label your reasons (3) in the body of the essayessay

Label your examples for each reason (2 per Label your examples for each reason (2 per reason)reason)

Label your opposition’s stance and your Label your opposition’s stance and your refutation.refutation.

Highlight, underline, mark, color code, whatever, so Highlight, underline, mark, color code, whatever, so that it is clear what’s what.that it is clear what’s what.

Grading Rubric – Product – Grading Rubric – Product – Final Draft Major GradeFinal Draft Major Grade

ExpectationsExpectations

I. Introduction (10 points)I. Introduction (10 points)A. Arguable Claim/Thesis A. Arguable Claim/Thesis StatementStatementB. Introduces & Explains B. Introduces & Explains TopicTopic

II. Reason #1 (20 points)II. Reason #1 (20 points)A. Clearly identifies reasonA. Clearly identifies reasonB. 2 supporting examplesB. 2 supporting examplesC. Clarifies relation to C. Clarifies relation to thesisthesis

III. Reason #2 (20 points)III. Reason #2 (20 points)A. Clearly identifies reasonA. Clearly identifies reasonB. 2 supporting examplesB. 2 supporting examplesC. Clarifies relation to C. Clarifies relation to thesisthesis

IV. Reason #3 (20 points)IV. Reason #3 (20 points)A. Clearly identifies reasonA. Clearly identifies reasonB. 2 supporting examplesB. 2 supporting examplesC. Clarifies relation to thesisC. Clarifies relation to thesis

[At least one paragraph must deal [At least one paragraph must deal with the opposition.]with the opposition.]

V. Conclusion (10 points)V. Conclusion (10 points)A. Reinforces thesisA. Reinforces thesisB. Reminds reader of important B. Reminds reader of important reasons and examplesreasons and examplesC. Asks reader to act upon the C. Asks reader to act upon the topic to solve this problemtopic to solve this problem

VI. Mechanics [Grammar, spelling, VI. Mechanics [Grammar, spelling, punctuation, etc.](20 points)punctuation, etc.](20 points)

Total Points - 100Total Points - 100

Grading Rubric – Process – Double Grading Rubric – Process – Double Daily GradeDaily Grade

Final draft formatted Final draft formatted correctlycorrectly

Rough draftRough drafttypedtypedLexicon Labels – nouns, Lexicon Labels – nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, jargon, ultimate wordsjargon, ultimate wordsSentence marks – arguable Sentence marks – arguable claim/thesis, reasons, claim/thesis, reasons, examples, oppositionexamples, opposition

Notes & Arguable claim Notes & Arguable claim statementstatement

Any other stuff from this Any other stuff from this assignment (optional)assignment (optional)

25 points25 points 10 points10 points 10 points10 points 25 points25 points

20 points20 points

10 points10 points

Total – 100 Total – 100

Persuasive Essay ReadingPersuasive Essay Reading For each essay read to the class identify the For each essay read to the class identify the

following:following:1.1. The author’s nameThe author’s name2.2. The topicThe topic3.3. The author’s stanceThe author’s stance4.4. Two of the three reasons givenTwo of the three reasons given5.5. Two of the examples given in support of Two of the examples given in support of

these reasonsthese reasons6.6. Your position on this topic and why.Your position on this topic and why. These are to be identified through These are to be identified through

listening only. The audience must not ask listening only. The audience must not ask for clarification or repetition of for clarification or repetition of information in the essay.information in the essay.