Persuasive Writing

What is Persuasive Writing? Letter to the editor Cartoon Advertisement Newspaper article Any written description that contains an argument or opinion

Point of View Every piece of writing comes from someone’s point of view. If you and your friend get in a fight, usually people will learn two differing stories.

Calvin Said, Hobbes Said He Said, She Said OR Calvin Said, Hobbes Said

Little Red Riding Hood How would the story be different if . . . Grandma told it? The Big Bad Wolf told it? The woodcutter told it?

Fact and Opinion To write a persuasive paper, you must present your opinion. However, you must convince others that your opinion is the correct one. You can only do this by backing up your opinion with facts.

Fact A fact is a piece of information that can be confirmed or verified. Fact: It is a fact that the sky looks blue to those on earth. If you go outside, you can look up and see it. Fact: It is a fact that the ocean tastes salty. If you gulp any at all, you would know.

Opinion An opinion is a point of view someone holds. It is a fact that some tomatoes are red. It is an opinion that they taste great. It is a fact that J.K. Rowling is an author. It is an opinion that she is the best writer of the decade.

Practice Your Opinion Take out a piece of paper and pen Make a declaration for each of the topics For example: Topic: Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches Declaration: PB and J are the perfect food.

Topic: Water quality Declaration: Every American has the right to a clean, uncontaminated glass of water.

Your Turn . . . Topic: The environment Topic: Music sharing on the Internet Topic: Country music

More Opinions I’m going to give you a topic. You will have three minutes to brainstorm at least five statements that express a clear opinion. You do not have to agree with what you write down.

For Example . . . Topic: Cell Phones Cell phones should be allowed in classes. Driving and talking on a cell phone should be illegal. Cell phone etiquette should be taught in elementary school. Cell phone users are some of the most inconsiderate people around. In today’s world, it is rude not to have a cell phone.

Your turn . . . Topic: College Topic: Video games Topic: Pets

Because I Said So Most young people have conversations like this: Boy: Why do I have to make my bed if I’m just going to sleep in it again? Mom: Because I said so.

Girl: Why do I have to come home at 10:00 P. M Girl: Why do I have to come home at 10:00 P.M. when everybody else gets to stay out until midnight? Dad: Because I said so.

“Because I said so” might work for parents, but it is completely unacceptable as reasoning in a persuasive paper. You must tell WHY and you must be specific.

What NOT to Say Everyone should watch “Punk’d” because I think it is so great. This sentence basically says to watch “Punk’d” because I said so. Won’t fly. Can you say “Zero?”

A Better Argument “Punk’d” is one of the best shows on TV because it is funny; it brings famous people back down to earth; and host Ashton Kutcher is unpredictable.

More Practice For each of the following arguments, come up with three reasons why. Play along. It doesn’t matter whether you agree or disagree with what you write.

Argument: It’s hard being the oldest brother or sister in a family. 1. It’s hard because . . . 2. It’s hard because . . . 3. It’s hard because . . .

Argument: The state should lower the driving age to 14. 1. It should lower it because . . . 2. It should lower it because . . . 3. It should lower it because . . .

Argument: Being a vegetarian is not a wise choice for teenagers. 1. It is not wise because . . . 2. It is not wise because . . . 3. It is not wise because . . .

Argument: P.E. class is an important part of school. 1. It is important because . . . 2. It is important because . . . 3. It is important because . . .

Getting Tricky . . . Practice supporting a point doesn’t have to be oh-so-serious. In fact, some of the best practice can come from doing the opposite—supporting ridiculous arguments. Let’s have some fun and stretch your brain . . .

Argument: All school drinking fountains should be filled with Gatorade. 1. They should be filled with Gatorade because . . . 2. They should be filled with Gatorade because . . . 3. They should be filled with Gatorade because . . .

Argument: Text messaging truly makes the world a better place. 1. It makes it better because . . . 2. It makes it better because . . . 3. It makes it better because . . .

Argument: Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups should be considered one of the basic food groups. 1. They should be considered because . . . 2. They should be considered because . . . 3. They should be considered because . . .

Argument: Chimpanzees should have the right to attend public school. 1. They should be able to attend because . . . 2. They should be able to attend because . . . 3. They should be able to attend because . . .

Trying For Real Your next assignment is in the lab at MyAccess. Begin by stating your opinion. Make sure you have three good reasons you can back up with facts. Use stories from the news or jump out and find someone who agreed with you on the Web.

After you have written your introduction and your three body paragraphs, write your “opposing” paragraph. You must acknowledge that there will be people who feel differently than you. End with your conclusion.