Persuasive Writing

Rebekah Lowery

What is Persuasive Writing?

• Writing that has as its purpose convincing others to accept the writer’s position as valid, adopt a certain point of view, or take some action.

• Methods: provides logical appeals, emotional appeals, facts, statistics, narrative anecdotes, humor and/or writer’s personal experiences and knowledge.

Persuasive Writing Prompt

Writing SituationMany public school systems across the country require students to wear uniforms. Some educators believe that wearing uniforms will help students concentrate more on their school work. On the other hand, some students argue that having to wear uniforms prevents them from expressing their individuality. Your principal is considering whether students at your school should wear uniforms.

Directions for WritingWrite a letter to your principal expressing your view on school uniforms. Provide convincing reasons and specific examples to support your position.

General Topic

Context for Topic

Format

Purpose

Audience

Decide…

• Which side are you choosing?• For the example prompt, you must decide

whether you agree or disagree with the uniform policy.

• Decide now, and write down your opinion.

Brainstorming (using Gliffy)

Introduction, Part 1

• Lead—grab the audience’s attention

• Examples:– Do you want to wear a

uniform to school everyday?

– 15% of high school students in the U.S. wear a uniform to school everyday.

– 90% of students at our school said they would not want a uniform dress code.

Introduction, Part 2

• Tie-in—relate lead to the topic of the essay

• Our school is considering a school uniform policy.

• Last night, our school board voted in a school uniform policy.

• People all over the country have been talking about the possibility of uniforms next year.

Introduction, Part 3

• Controlling idea—states the topic of the essay and your position

• I think school uniforms are a horrible idea for our school.

• I encourage you, members of the school board, to vote “yes” to uniforms.

• School uniforms will make our school a better place to learn.

Body Paragraphs

Format • The controlling idea is what the entire paragraph is about.

• The supporting details provide explanation for the controlling idea.

• The specific examples give the reader specific information to support the controlling idea.

Supporting Details

Specific Examples

Example Body ParagraphUniforms keep us from expressing our individuality. I like to express myself and my interests through my choice of clothes, but if I looked like 1,000 other people, how could I be expressive or original? No teenager likes being told what to wear everyday. I have some friends who attend schools where they have to wear uniforms. None of them ever say they like the uniforms. They are all unhappy because their individuality is stifled. I do not want to be that frustrated with my clothing.

Controlling Idea

Supporting Details

Specific Examples

Conclusion, Part 1

• Acknowledge the opposition

• Explain why your approach is better

While many students think uniforms are a bad idea because they won’t feel any sense of individuality, school is about learning, not expressing your individual fashion style.

Conclusion, Part 2

• Leave the reader with a specific action to do—a call to action—based on who your reader is

Adopt a uniform dress code policy for our school.

Example Essay

• The following essay scored a 3 on the Georgia High School Writing Test in the area of Ideas. Look at the essay and consider improvements that would make the essay better. (Be sure to look at the writing rubric.)

• The suggested improvements are just that, suggestions. There are other changes that could be made to the essay.

Introduction

I am a student writing to you about how I feel about uniforms in public schools. Uniforms in public schools can be a good thing. Uniforms can save parents money on buying school clothes every year. It can also help reduce gang violence and stop a lot of the teasing that students do to each other about clothes.

Introduction

I am a student writing to you about how I feel about uniforms in public schools. Uniforms in public schools can be a good thing. Uniforms can save parents money on buying school clothes every year. It can also help reduce gang violence and stop a lot of the teasing that students do to each other about clothes.

Need to interest the audience at the beginning

No need to list your points in the introduction; too formulaic. Instead, tie your interest into the topic, and state your controlling idea.

Body Paragraph 1

Every summer before school starts parents buy numerous dollars worth of clothes. Buying uniforms can save parents a lot of money. Parents only have to buy a minimum of 5 shirts and 5 pairs of pants. This money that is saved could go toward a college fund.

Body Paragraph 1

Every summer before school starts parents buy numerous dollars worth of clothes. Buying uniforms can save parents a lot of money. Parents only have to buy a minimum of 5 shirts and 5 pairs of pants. This money that is saved could go toward a college fund.

Add in a specific dollar amount that parents spend on average.

Explain this more.

Body Paragraph 2

Gang violence is a big issue in society today. If schools go to uniforms a lot of gang violence can be corrected. Gang violence mostly consists of teens who wear a specific color. If everyone wears the same color no one knows or can be in a gang. It also excludes the teasing that goes on throughout the school day. If everyone wears the same thing then no one can tease anyone because they all look alike.

Body Paragraph 2

Gang violence is a big issue in society today. If schools go to uniforms a lot of gang violence can be corrected. Gang violence mostly consists of teens who wear a specific color. If everyone wears the same color no one knows or can be in a gang. It also excludes the teasing that goes on throughout the school day. If everyone wears the same thing then no one can tease anyone because they all look alike.

Red text is off topic

Conclusion

School uniforms can be a good thing. They help parents save money and reduce gang violence. Uniforms help reduce students teasing one another. Uniforms also reduce individuality and make everyone look the same where no one can be distinguished.

Conclusion

School uniforms can be a good thing. They help parents save money and reduce gang violence. Uniforms help reduce students teasing one another. Uniforms also reduce individuality and make everyone look the same where no one can be distinguished.

Mention the opposite argument

Need a call to action

Your writing topic

Writing Situation

Many students do not think the subjects they study in high school prepare them for the real world they will face after graduation. The principal at your school is asking students for their opinions about new courses that could be offered to prepare students for life after high school. What new course do you think should be offered?

Directions for Writing

Write a letter to convince the principal that your new course should be offered. Be sure to explain why your course is needed, using specific examples and details.