The Persuasive Essay

Objective Today we will write a persuasive essay.

Terms for Review What is a Persuasive Essay? An essay that presents a point of view and a counter point of view with the intent to persuade or convince.

Terms for Review Just the Facts for Persuasive Compositions Definitions Issue a topic on which people hold different, and often strong, opinions

Just the Facts for Persuasive Compositions Topic Sentence/ Thesis Statement: - a sentence that states the topic of a composition and the writer’s opinion about the topic. IVF: identify the topic/ choose a verb/ finish the thought

Just the Facts for Persuasive Compositions Argument: - the writer’s presentation of reasons and evidence to prove the validity of the thesis

Just the Facts for Persuasive Compositions Counterargument: the writer’s acknowledgement that other people may not share the same opinion

Just the Facts for Persuasive Compositions Transitions: words or phrases that show how sentences or ideas connect to each other

Just the Facts for Persuasive Compositions Public voice: - a more formal use of the language than everyday speech, the language of business and news reporting; the opposite is private voice, the language between friends, often involving slang and incomplete sentences

Organization The persuasive composition has a specific organizational pattern: Thesis – Argument – Counterargument – Rebuttal – Conclusion

Example: The Prompt What is the best sport for children to play? In this writing test you will write a persuasive essay to convince the reader of your position. Give convincing reasons that support your positions and address the concerns of those who would argue against your position.

Outline Thesis = Soccer is the ideal sport for children Conclusion --every position has a job --everyone must work together to win argument teaches teamwork counter too intimidating for some --physically smaller --not as athletic rebuttal learning teamwork necessary --work together well home school Conclusion

Paragraph One:Thesis Hook + History+ Thesis Statement Hook- Parents often wonder what is the best sport for children to play. History/Background- Sports are an important part of growing up. Thesis-Although there are many sports, I believe soccer is an ideal sport for children

Transitions for argument:  One reason  First,

Expand Your Argument One reason is that soccer teaches teamwork. Each position has a specific job. Forwards have the responsibility of scoring goals. The fullbacks’ job is defense, and the halfbacks assist both forwards and fullbacks. Defense of the goal is the duty of the goalie. In order to win all must do their jobs well and rely on each other for help.

Transitions for counterargument: I will admit Certainly, Of course, I will concede Admittedly, Obviously,

Expand Your Counter Certainly, team sports can intimidate children. Some children may be physically smaller than others. Age group teams are meant to solve this problem, but it is not unusual to see large differences of height and weight in children of the same age. Others may not be as athletic as other team members. Children are particularly sensitive about how they compare to their peers. When they cannot run as fast as other team members or are not as agile, they fear ridicule

Transitions for rebuttal: However, On the other hand, Nevertheless, Conversely, Yet, Still,

Expand Your Rebuttal However, learning to work as part of a team is essential to success in many other areas. Children have to learn to cooperate both at school and home. In school students are expected to work together without conflict. Many teachers use cooperative groups to teach. At home children are expected to be part of the family team and help with chores that need to be done. When they are older, these children may have a job that requires teamwork. Only rarely does a person work in job that does not require working with others. Office workers have to work together to accomplish the tasks given to them. Construction workers have to be part of a team effort to finish buildings on time and on budget.

Edit and Publish Your Final Draft Level Three __ capital p. punctuation sp spelling / lowercase letter frag. sentence fragment RO run-on sentence n.c. not clear This is wrong ^ word left out awk. awkward w.c. word choice not parallel agr. subject/verb agreement t. verb tense

Soccer: An Ideal Sport for Children Sports are an important part of growing up. Parents often wonder what is the best sport for children to play. Although there are many sports, I believe soccer is an ideal sport for children. One reason is that soccer teaches teamwork. Each position has a specific job. Forwards have the responsibility of scoring goals. The fullbacks’ job is defense, and the halfbacks assist both forwards and fullbacks. Defense of the goal is the duty of the goalie. In order to win all must do their jobs well and rely on each other for help. Certainly, team sports can intimidate children. Some children may be physically smaller than others. Age group teams are meant to solve this problem, but it is not unusual to see large differences of height and weight in children of the same age. Others may not be as athletic as other team members. Children are particularly sensitive about how they compare to their peers. When they cannot run as fast as other team members or are not as agile, they fear ridicule. However, learning to work as part of a team is essential to success in many other areas. Children have to learn to cooperate both at school and home. In school students are expected to work together without conflict. Many teachers use cooperative groups to teach. At home children are expected to be part of the family team and help with chores that need to be done. When they are older, these children may have a job that requires teamwork. Only rarely does a person work in job that does not require working with others. Office workers have to work together to accomplish the tasks given to them. Construction workers have to be part of a team effort to finish buildings on time and on budget. Therefore, I believe parents should encourage their children to play soccer. While some children may feel intimidated at the beginning, by learning to be part of a team, they will be preparing themselves for future success.

Evaluate A clear thesis statement? Obvious organization? Strong transitions? Specific examples & evidence? A memorable conclusion?

Closure What are the 5 parts of a persuasive essay? Thesis, argument, counter- argument, rebuttal, and conclusion Give examples of transitions for each part:

Write a Persuasive Essay As Lightman illustrates in his essay, “Progress,” technology can have both benefits and drawbacks. Write an persuasive essay arguing for or against the use of technology in school.

Outline Thesis = Conclusion elaborate Reason/Fact/Detail argument Reason/Fact/Detail counter Reason/Fact/Detail elaborate rebuttal Reason/Fact/Detail elaborate Conclusion