2. Writing to Persuade Others . . .
Persuasion
Writing to Persuade Others . . .
From Reading to Writing Thomas Jefferson, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Malcolm X had powerful ideas about political and social problems, and they believed that one way to solve them was by persuading others to think and act as they did.

3. Writing to Persuade Others . . .
Persuasion
Writing to Persuade Others . . .
All persuasive writing serves this basic purpose, although it is not always about such world-shaking issues. Advertising, fundraising campaigns, editorials, and political speeches are examples of persuasive writing.

4. B a s i c s i n a B o x Persuasive Essay at a Glance RUBRIC
WHAT I BELIEVE
RUBRIC
Standards for Writing
Opinion or
belief
Introduction
A successful persuasive essay should
WHY I BELIEVE IT
state the issue and your position on it clearly in the introduction
be geared to the audience you’re trying to convince
support your position with evidence such as facts, statistics, and examples
answer possible objections to your position
show clear reasoning
conclude with a summary of your position or a call to action
Supporting
evidence
Supporting
evidence
Supporting
evidence
Body
Summary of opinion
What readers should do
Conclusion

5. Writing Your Persuasive Essay1
Prewriting
Writing comes more easily if you have something to say.
Sholem Asch, novelist
Look for an issue that’s important to you and about which people disagree. Try brainstorming for ideas with a friend or looking for controversial issues in the news.

6. Planning Your Persuasive Essay
1. Clarify your position. What do you believe about your topic? Why do you hold that belief?
2. Identify your audience. What do they know about the topic? What is their position on it? How can you answer opposing views?
3. Use evidence to support your arguments. What facts, statistics, and examples support your position? What reference books or experts will offer more information?

7. Writing Your Persuasive Essay2
Drafting
Continue exploring your ideas as you begin drafting. Don’t be afraid to rethink or revise your opinion as you work. At some point, you must state your position clearly and support it.

8. Writing Your Persuasive Essay2
Drafting
Support with:
facts
statistics
examples
observations
anecdotes
quotations

9. Writing Your Persuasive Essay2
Drafting
Watch out for these illogical arguments and faulty and deceptive uses of language:
circular reasoning—just restating something in other words without offering proof
We need a new traffic light at the corner because it’s necessary.

10. Writing Your Persuasive Essay2
Drafting
over-generalization—making a statement that’s too broad to prove
Everybody likes chocolate.
either-or fallacy—stating that there are only two possible alternatives
Either I get into Ivy League U. or my future is ruined.

11. Writing Your Persuasive Essay2
Drafting
cause-and-effect fallacy—assuming that because event B followed event A, A caused B
I flunked the test because I wore my unlucky shirt.
bandwagon appeal—trying to persuade people to follow the crowd
Everyone wears Spike brand of athletic shoes.

12. Writing Your Persuasive Essay2
Drafting
name-calling—attacking the person, not the idea
Joe won’t be a good representative because he is a nerd.

13. Writing Your Persuasive Essay3
Revising
Target Skill
SUPPORTING PERSONAL OPINIONS WITH FACTS
While experts’ opinions can provide strong support for your arguments, you must back up your own opinions with facts.

14. Writing Your Persuasive Essay4
Editing and Proofreading
Target Skill
PRONOUN-ANTECEDENT AGREEMENT
When you edit and proofread, make sure pronouns agree with their antecedents in number, gender, and person so your writing is clear and unambiguous.