UNLOCKING THE PERSUASIVE ESSAY

Thayer’s “Essay By Numbers” Approach to the Persuasive Essay.

The Purpose of the Persuasive Essay

• A persuasive essay seeks to persuade readers to do something

• or convince readers to believe something

The Key Elements• Begins with a strong thesis statement.

This is the main point of your essay, which states your point of view.

• Body paragraphs with logical, emotional, or ethical appeals to persuade the readers.

• A counter-argument paragraph, which presents the opposing argument, and then shows it to be weak.

• Conclusion, which includes a profound insight.

CREATING AN OUTLINE FOR YOUR PERSUASIVE ESSAY

• Paragraph One: Introduction– Basically the same as all essays.– Includes a thesis statement– And two reasons proving your point

• Paragraphs Two and Three:– Each paragraph presents the reasons

mentioned in the introduction, but provides proof, detail, or explanation.

THE KEY TO THE PERSUASIVE ESSAY

• Paragraph Four– This paragraph contains the key to the

persuasive essay form…the COUNTER ARGUMENT

The counter-argument presents the “other side” of the debate, or what someone who disagrees with your point might say.

COUNTER-ARGUMENT

• Why would you want to present an argument which goes against your position?

• …because you are going to destroy their argument before they have a chance to make it.

• By showing how their point would be ridiculous, or pointless, you take away any opposition to your point of view.

CONCLUSION

• As with most conclusions, you restate the information from the intro

• You also leave the reader with a “profound insight as to what can be learned from your essay.– I call this the “zinger” or the “ah-ha” moment.– This is where you “blow the reader’s mind.”

I. Introductory Paragraph– State your topic– State your position in one or two sentences– Give two or more reasons that support your

position

II. Body Paragraph One_ Restate your first reason that supports your

position._ Write sentences that give examples, facts or

details that support that reason.

III. Body Paragraph Two_ Restate the second reason._ Write sentences that give examples, facts or

details that support that reason.

• IV. Counter Argument– State the opposite position with any opposing

reasons.– Write sentences explaining how those reasons are

illogical, ridiculous, or just downright wrong.

V. Concluding paragraph

_ Restate the topic of your essay.

_ Summarize how your reasons support your point.

_ Then give them some profound insight into the issue which shows just how important your point of view is. This is your “zinger.”

FOR EXAMPLE…• Let’s say that you are asked to prove

which soda is the best- Coke or Pepsi.• You need to pick a side. It really doesn’t

matter which side you pick, as long as you pick one and stick with it.

• For this exercise, we will all agree that Coke is better than Pepsi.

X

OUTLINING IT!• First, come up with two reasons why Coke

is better than Pepsi.– More carbonation– Tastes better

Then come up with what a person who loves Pepsi would say in response to those two reasons.

-- Pepsi lovers would argue that it is a smoother drink, therefore better.

DESTROYING THE COUNTER ARGUMENT

You now need to show how their argument is wrong.

In response, we will say that a soda, by definition, contains carbonation.

A soda without carbonation is basically juice.

Therefore, Pepsi is just a glorified juice.

THE ZINGER• Now all we need is some sort of profound

lesson or insight we can gain from our argument. How about this…

• If more people drank Coke instead of Pepsi, more people would agree with each other, and there would be less conflict in the world. Agreeing that Coke is better brings us one step closer to world peace.– Sure, it’s a bit of a stretch, but you get the

idea, right?

NOW YOU GET TO TRY• Writing Situation: Research supports that

American youth listen to music and watch music videos four to five hours a day, which is more than what they spend with their friends outside or watching television.

• Some experts claim, “Music alters and intensifies their moods, perpetuates poor usage of language and aides in creating an aggressive atmosphere.

• In short, music styles and artists define the crowds and cliques that students run in, and music personalities proved models for how youths act and dress.

• What do you think?

• WRITING DIRECTIONS:

• Write an essay explaining whether you agree or disagree with expert opinions.

• Make sure you define the issue and provide a reasonable argument for your point of view.

• Consider the opposing point of view, and convince the reader that your position is more logical, using facts, examples, or other evidences in support of your position.

• Writing Situation: Research supports that American youth listen to music and watch music videos four to five hours a day, which is more than what they spend with their friends outside or watching television. Some experts claim, “Music alters and intensifies their moods, perpetuates poor usage of language and aides in creating an aggressive atmosphere. In short, music styles and artists define the crowds and cliques that students run in, and music personalities proved models for how youths act and dress. What do you think?

• WRITING DIRECTIONS: • Write an essay explaining whether you agree or disagree

with expert opinions. • Make sure you define the issue and provide a

reasonable argument for your point of view. • Consider the opposing point of view, and convince the

reader that your position is more logical, using facts, examples, or other evidences in support of your position.