1. Think about it… what are teenagers the absolute best at?
November 3, 2011
DO NOW:
Take out isn
Turn to page 48!!!
Think about it… what are teenagers the absolute best at?

2. Everyday we persuade! (or argue)
When we dress up to impress a special person
When we argue with a friend about what is right
When we try to convince others about politics
Whenever we try to convince people to see the world our way...
We are attempting to persuade someone

3. A persuasive essay… Does the same exact thing!
It is a piece of writing in which you try to convince your reader of your points of view.
This can be found in the following types of writing.
- shorts essays
- letters to the editor
- TV and radio scripts
- letters to individuals
- courtroom

4. Persuasion
To persuade your readers is to convince them to think, act, or feel a certain way.
Specifically, the process of persuasion involves appealing to one or more of the following:
Reason/rational thinking
Emotion
A sense of ethics.

5. Thesis statement
A thesis is a one-sentence statement about your topic that is written in the opening paragraph.
It’s an declaration about your topic, something that you claim to be true.
One major purpose of the thesis is to predict what will follow. It does this both for the writer and for the reader. Your thesis should direct the writer throughout the writing process. Your thesis should create expectations about the content for the reader.

6. Write the correct thesis on pg. 48 for example
Physical Education is a class at our school.
Physical Education is a valuable class at our school

7. Select the thesis! Physical Education is a class at our school.
Physical Education is a valuable class at our school

8. Select the thesis!
Student uniforms rob individuals of their rights to express themselves
More and more schools are turning to the use of school uniforms

9. Select the thesis!
Student uniforms rob individuals of their rights to express themselves
More and more schools are turning to the use of school uniforms

10. Select the thesis!
The local middle school principal requires students to stay one hour after school to complete homework assignments
The local middle school principal unfairly requires students to stay one hour after school to complete homework assignments

11. Select the thesis!
The local middle school principal requires students to stay one hour after school to complete homework assignments
The local middle school principal unfairly requires students to stay one hour after school to complete homework assignments

12. Pass the folder! Read the topic written in your folder
With your group, write two different thesis statements about your topic
Remember… a great thesis statement makes a strong statement about the topic

13. Original folder
In your group, review every thesis statement and choose the best two
Share with class

14. Bullying presentation ISN pg. 48
What was Mrs. Burns thesis statement for her bullying presentation?

15. Thesis statements continued… pg. 48
A thesis statement is something that needs to be proved
The writers job is to prove they know what they are talking about
They achieve this by including their best reasons for their argument

16. Example statement
Drug education should be a part of the curriculum for every student in middle and high school.
Ask yourself….
Why do I believe this statement is true? What have I seen or read or heard that caused me to convince others that is statement is true?

17. Three Reasons
Drug education should be a part of the curriculum for every student in middle and high school.
Adolescents are especially likely to be victims of drug abuse
Informed students are more likely to make the best choices
There is no other place, other than school, where all students are assured to be reached with the same information

18. Bullying presentation
How did Mrs. Burns try to prove her argument?
What were her three reasons?

19. In your small group…
Create a thesis statement about how to prevent bullying at school
In your small group…determine three reasons that would prove your argument is true
REMEMBER… you are convincing your audience your reasons would solve the issue of bullying forever!

20. Begin writing!
Begin writing a persuasive paragraph about how to prevent bullying in school with your small group
Ticket out the door…
This will be completed by the end of the class period for your ticket out the door

21. Addressing every side
Asserting a position and backing it up with reasons and support are essential to a successful persuasive essay
The best way to persuade is to counterargue, which is to anticipate and respond to their readers objections, challenges and questions

22. Strategies for Counterarguing
To counterargue
Strategies for Counterarguing
Writers show they are aware
Writer may accept and incorporate concerns into argument
Writer shows why concerns are invalid
1. Acknowledge 2. Accommodate 3. Refute Concerns
Concerns Concerns

23. Writing persuasive essay
Prompt: There has been much talk among the members of the school board in your community regarding whether or not to require students to wear uniforms to school. Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper stating your position and supporting it with three convincing reasons