Persuasive Writing

An effective persuasive essay expresses an opinion. supports your opinion with 3 good reasons. gives details that make the reasons convincing. convinces the reader to share your opinion or to take a specific action.

Essay Format Opening Paragraph (Lead) Body: 3 Supporting Paragraphs Concluding Paragraph

A thesis . . . is a summary of your arguments in one sentence. expresses your position on the topic. Ex: I strongly feel that all teenagers should have a weekly allowance because it teaches responsibility, it helps teens learn about planning, and it is an incentive to work hard.

Opening (Lead) Will it grab the reader’s attention? Is the issue/problem clear? Is there an attitude (someone speaking with conviction about the issue)? Do you have a target audience? Is there a thesis statement?

Paragraph 1: Opening How do I start? “Imagine”/Rhetorical Question News: facts Background information I was asked …. (state what you were asked to write about…) End with the THESIS statement.

Sample Opening Imagine teenagers being able to purchase their own items without the help of their parents. Wouldn’t that be a great way to learn about themselves and money? In 2010, the debate continues over whether or not teens should be given a weekly allowance. While some parents claim that an allowance doesn’t realistically cover expenses, 70% agree that an allowance is a part of growing up. Teenagers should have a weekly allowance, because it teaches responsibility, it helps teens learn about planning, and it is an incentive to work hard.

Body 3 Supporting Paragraphs Each paragraph is dedicated to a reason from the thesis statement. Reasons must be relevant to the topic. Each should have a compositional risk Support your reasons with convincing details and/or evidence. Transition word/sentence to move to next paragraph topic

Sample Body Paragraph First off, teens should have a weekly allowance, because it teaches responsibility. Parents often complain that kids today aren’t responsible, so why not encourage healthy decision-making? We will learn to spend and save more carefully if we must decide how to manage small amounts of money. Many adults today are in credit card debt, because they never learned how to budget money as a teen. Instead of making their own decisions about spending and saving, parents made it for them. In many cases, money flowed freely from the Bank of Mom or Dad. It’s too bad because now many adults are paying the price. A weekly allowance will prevent this from happening to today’s teens and help them plan for their future.

Concluding Paragraph How do I conclude? “When I was asked…” statement Restate your opinion and 3 reasons Then end with one/two of the following: Instruction: what the reader can do about the issue Prediction: an insight into how the future could be different, better, or worse Question: leaves the reader thinking

Sample Conclusion If you are the parent of a teen, please strongly consider the benefits of an allowance. I whole-heartedly feel that teenagers should have a weekly allowance because it teaches responsibility, it helps teens learn about planning, and it is an incentive to work hard. Parents, don’t dish out money! Let students earn it! Bottom line, a responsible teen becomes a responsible adult.

Always remember: Be clear: Is what you are trying to say coming out on paper? Does it make sense? Stay focused AND on topic: Think about every sentence you put down on paper. Is it the right choice? Find your own voice: Does it sound like you or do you sound like a robot?