| WHAT SHOULD I WRITE
ABOUT?
Before deciding the topic, make sure that the following points
can be addressed:
THE TOPIC IS IMPORTANT TO YOU
What ever topic you choose should matter to you and should be
important enough to argue about.
YOU HAVE A DEFINITE OPINION ABOUT THE TOPIC
An opinion is a belief or point of view. People have different
opinions about the same issues. A fact, on the other hand, is a
statement that can be proved true or false. In this essay you are
writing about an opinion.
PEOPLE DISAGREE ABOUT THE TOPIC, WHICH WOULD MAKE YOUR OPINION
ARGUABLE
The saying "There are two sides to every question" definitely
applies to the persuasive essay. A good topic has at least two
conflicting sides.
THERE IS AN AUDIENCE IN NEED OF CONVINCING
The writer has to consider the intended audience and who the
people are who will most strongly disagree with what he has to say.
The writer of a persuasive essay must consider what reasons the
opposition may have to oppose his view point. As part of the essay
the writer has to refute or argue against their reasons.
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| AN OPINION STATEMENT
You absolutely, positively, must state your opinion on the topic
in one clear sentence! (This statement may also be called the
thesis.) Because this sentence tells where you stand on the issue,
or your "position" on the topic, it is called a position statement.
It is never "wishy washy". It is a firm commitment to your opinion
on the issue. Therefore do not stradle the fence. Take a stand.
Without this statement, you will not have a persuasive essay, no
matter how wonderfully or extensively you write!
EXAMPLES:
*Two years of community service should be required after high
school graduation.
* The cafeteria school lunch should be
replaced with an outside francise like McDonald's.
*Students
should be required to wear school uniforms.
*President Clinton's
impeachment trial was a witch hunt.
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| SUPPORT YOUR OPINION
In order to persuade someone to your point of view, you need to
present your reasons in a logical fashion and back up each reason
with evidence, just like a lawyer for the defense. The lawyer does
not simply stand before the jury and say, "My client is innocent,"
and then sits back down. Instead she states the reason why her
client is innocent and then brings in witnesses and evidence that
support her position. In this essay, you must do the same. Without
witnesses and evidence you are presenting only hearsay evidence
which will not stand up in court.
To help make your case, use logical and emotional appeals.
LOGICAL APPEALS are reasons and evidence aimed at your audience's
common sense and ability to think.
REASONS tell why someone
should accept your opinion. For example, (Opinion) Teenagers should
be required to take drivers' ed. (Reason)Teens who take drivers'
training are better drivers.
EVIDENCE gives proof for your
reasons. There are two types of evidence:
Facts, that can be
checked by testing, observation or reading a reliable source.
and
Expert opinion, or statements by a recognized authority on
the subject.
EMOTIONAL APPEALS are reasons which appeal to the feelings, the
heart, the emotions of the reader. Advertisers rely almost totally
on emotional appeals to persuade you to spend your money. You may
use a personal experience, or an example that appeals to the
emotions to convince your audience of your point of view. However,
emotional appeals are not enough to persuade someone who disagrees
with you. Use with care and rely more heavily on logical appeals.
| |
|
| PURPOSE, AUDIENCE
AND TONE
Your purpose in writing a persuasive essay is to convince your
readers to follow the course of action you suggest or to think
differently about an issue.
The tone of the essay shows the reader what your attitude towards
the topic and your audience is. Your tone or attitude comes across
in the word choices you make.
Never forget your audience. If your purpose is to persuade your
parents that you should have a later curfew, are you likely to win
the argument by using a sarcastic, or insulting tone? Not likely.
Instead, you might try a humorous or perhaps a serious tone.
|
PUTTING THE PIECES
TOGETHER |
FRAMEWORKS
FOR THE PERSUASIVE ESSAY |
| INTRODUCTION
Attention Grabber
Background
Position Statement or
Statement of Opinion
BODY
*Logical Appeal (reason with explanation and
evidence)
Emotional Appeal (if appropriate)
*Logical Appeal (reason with explanation and
evidence)
Emotional Appeal (if appropriate)
*Logical Appeal (reason with explanation and
evidence)
Emotional Appeal (if appropriate)
*Reasons and arguments to refute opposing arguments
CONCLUSION
Restatement of opinion
Call to action, or consequences of no
action (if possible) |
| ANOTHER APPROACH
The "straw man" is a more complex structure for a persuasive
essay. In this form the writer presents and then refutes the
opposing arguments that might be presented against the essay's
thesis. It is presented this way:
Introduction:
*Attention grabber
*Background
*Position
statement
Body:
*Body Paragraph 1: Opposing arguments given
*Body
Paragraph 2: Opposing arguments refuted
Conclusion
Restatement of position
Call to
action
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EVALUATION
GUIDE |
- Did you grab the reader's attention with an interesting
example, fact or observation?
- Did you include a position statement in the introduction?
- Did you include enough background information to explain the
topic?
- Did you include enough reasons and examples to convince the
reader?
- Are your reasons sound so that they will make sense to the
reader?
- Did you respond to opposing arguments?
- If appropriate, did you include emotional appeals in the
essay?
- Is your conclusion effective, in that it restates your
position and possibly includes a call to
action?
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 DON'T FORGET: DOUBLE SPACE, TIMES NEW
ROMAN, FONT SIZE 12, ONE INCH MARGINS, LAST NAME ON THE TOP RIGHT OF
EACH PAGE. |
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