1. Writing a Persuasive Essay
EAE1D
Mme Duhaime

2. Where to begin?
When you are given a prompt, what do you do before you begin to write the essay?

3. Where to begin? Understand the prompt
Create pro/con chart to decide on position
Write your thesis
Decide on evidence
Create an outline
Introduction: A, B, C
Write a thesis (a position that you will argue using evidence)
Decide on reasons and the evidence you will use to support each reason
Conclusion Strategy
Write the essay!

4. Writing a Persuasive Thesis
A persuasive thesis statement should have two parts:
A suggestion/ evidence
recommendation +
(What people (Why people should “should” do) do this)

5. Persuasive Thesis: Suggestion/Recommendation
The suggestion or recommendation is more than praise or whining which is often the point of an opinion.
“I hate eight o’clock classes!”
Instead, suggest what should be changed (The recommendation is what you are convincing people to do, so do not use “I think”):
“Schools should begin their first period classes later in the morning…”

6. Persuasive Thesis: Evidence
After writing your suggestion, include evidence to prove your point.
“Schools should begin their first period classes later in the morning…”
Because?
“…in order to increase student attendance and academic performance.”

7. Persuasive Thesis: Finished
Handguns should be outlawed because it's too easy for criminals to get them and too many innocent people are dying from accidental shootings.

8. Persuasive Essay Outline
Introduction
Reason #1
+ specific evidence to support reason #1 (2)
Reason #2
+ specific evidence to support reason #2 (2)
Reason #3
+ specific evidence to support reason #3 (2)
Conclusion

9. Review: What we’ve learned
The introduction
Attention-getter
Background information about the issue
Clear claim/thesis
Strategies: description, open-ended question, figurative language, anecdote, quotation
The conclusion
Strategies: anecdote, echo/full-circle, instruction, pointed question, prediction

10. Checklist for Persuasive Essay Writing
Understand the issue: What is the issue?
Choose your side and write your claim
Come up with evidence for each reason on your chart
Write an outline for your introduction: A, B, and C
Decide your conclusion strategy
Write your essay using your outline!

11. Where to begin? Understand the prompt Write your claim
Decide on evidence
Create an outline
Introduction
Write a claim (a position that you will prove using evidence)
Decide on reasons and the evidence you will use to support each reason
Conclusion Strategy
Write the essay!

12. Let’s Practice! Some prompts:
1. Should the driving age be raised to 18?
2. Should hunting be outlawed?
3. Should recycling be mandatory?
4. Should schools require student uniforms?
5. Should Canadian taxpayers be obligated to pay for French language schools?
6. Should the death penalty be re-instated in Canada?
7. Should dying people be kept on life support?
8. Should research on cloning be discontinued?
9. Should the drinking age be lowered to 18?

13. In your essay, take a position on the topic chosen
In your essay, take a position on the topic chosen. Use specific reasons and examples to support your position.
Good luck!