1. The Art of Persuasion Apopka Middle School Language Arts

2. What does it mean to persuade? Verb. 1. to prevail on (a person) to do something, as by advising or urging: We could not persuade him to wait. 2. to induce to believe by appealing to reason or understanding; convince: to persuade the judge of the prisoner's innocence.reason *from www. dictionary.com

3. In the Expository Essay… Your Thoughts! Topic Audience The topic spurs your thoughts, which are the most important in the equation. This is because the expository essay is all about explaining how you feel to the audience. Your priority is just for the audience to understand your experience or thoughts.

4. In the Persuasive Essay… Audience Topic Your Opinion The topic still spurs your thoughts; but now, you also have to think about what you can do to convince the audience to feel the same way and how you will do it. No longer are your thoughts the priority. You might even abandon your gut opinion, if you cannot convince the audience of it.

5. What do you think about the persuasion in this scene? Child: Can I get my own computer? Parent: No. We already have a computer in the family room that you can use. Child: But I want my own in my room. Parent: Why do you need your own when you can use the one in the family room any time you want? Child: Because I have to share it with everyone else in the family. You know, all the other kids at my school have their own. Why can’t I? Parent: I don’t believe that all the kids at your school have their own computers. Child: Well, maybe not everyone but all my friends have their own. Parent: I don’t see any reason for you to get your own computer. Child: But I NEED one! Parent: You don’t need a computer. You can use the one in the family room. Child: *sigh

6. Scene 2 Child: Can I get my own computer? Parent: No. We already have a computer in the family room that you can use. Child: But when I’m working on schoolwork in the family room, there are so many disruptions. If I had a computer in my room I would be able to focus on my homework more and get better grades. Parent: Hmmm. I can see your point but I’m still not sure you need a computer of your own. We can make some family ground rules to follow when someone is working at the computer. How about no watching television, keeping voices down, and going into another room to talk on the phone? Child: I also have to share the computer with the whole family. Everyone is always bugging me to get off when I still have homework to do. And sometimes I can’t get on to do my homework because someone else is using it. Parent: We can set a schedule for using the computer giving everyone an equal amount of time to use it. Child: But some days I need more time if I have a report or big assignment. Setting a schedule might not give me enough time to finish everything I have to do. Parent: You have a good point there. I’ll think about it.

7. Where do you see Persuasion Techniques Used Around You? Newspaper Print Ads Brochures/ Propaganda Commercials Posters/ Billboards Television Previews Movie Previews Book Previews or Promotions and much more…

9. What category does this commercial fit into?

13. Things to question when writing a Persuasive Essay… Is my position on the issue clearly stated and evident throughout the work? Are my opinions clear and do my facts support my opinions? Does my information flow easily from one paragraph to another? Did I stay focused on my point of view throughout the writing? Did I save the most compelling or strongest point for the end of the paper? Did I aim my persuasion towards the audience and use appropriate techniques? Does my writing make sense? Will my readers be convinced? Did I repeat any words or phrases too often?

14. Are you ready to persuade? What are the key points that you should remember?