1. Ways to Improve your Persuasive Paragraph

2. Use formal language – i. e
Use formal language – i.e. NO slang words; NO contractions (can't, don't)

3. Do not use a first person point of view in your persuasive writing (“I”), or any personal pronouns (“you”, “me”, “we”, “our”, etc.). This is not an opinion paragraph!

4. Avoid over-generalized statements – i. e. “As all readers would agree
Avoid over-generalized statements – i.e. “As all readers would agree...” (Do not assume that your reader will agree with you right away, instead, PERSUADE them that your position is the most valid or convincing)

5. Remember the topic ‘hook’ at the beginning of your persuasive paragraph is meant to GRAB your reader's attention (a relevant fact, an interesting quotation, a thought-provoking statement, or an astute observation). Introduce your topic of exploration and draw your reader in...leave them wanting more!
Ex: In the wise words of fiction author, Conrad Smith, “Characters add humanity to the written word”, proving that it is the intensity of universal human emotions that link readers to stories and their central conflicts (Smith Quotations.com).

6. State your position on the topic question/prompt in an explicit, one-sentence thesis statement that guides your entire paragraph. This is what you want to prove!

7. Be concise and assertive when stating your thesis
Be concise and assertive when stating your thesis. Use confident language (diction) – i.e. undeniable, indisputable, evident, clear, obvious, proven, exemplified, etc.

8. Add a ‘so what?’ element to the end of your thesis statement that roots your position in a deeper understanding of the EFFECT of the device that you are exploring on the short story and/or the reader. This can act as an ‘argument menu’ for your 2 points (arguments) as well.

9. Stay focused on the topic prompt…always keep your thesis in mind
Stay focused on the topic prompt…always keep your thesis in mind. Only write what is relevant!

10. Use a fully-developed point, proof, analysis structure in order to defend your thesis statement (2 points/proofs/analyses will be required for your evaluation)!

11. Structure your 2 points (arguments) around literary terminology/elements/ devices that meaningfully connect to your topic and thesis, and develop your position.

12. Make a clear connection between your point and your proof in your ANALYSIS sentences. Explain WHY both your point and proof reinforce the position that you have taken in your thesis statement!

13. For your analysis, it is not enough to merely say that something ‘creates meaning’! You need to explain HOW meaning is created in thoughtful and SPECIFIC detail, and this is where your best analysis will come from!

14. Be specific in your proof
Be specific in your proof. Include a direct quotation from the text as support and properly reference it using correct MLA citation formatting (in-text parentheses and a Works Cited page).

15. When you are referring to your proof, please say that it is a quotation (noun), rather than a quote (verb).
Remember that you quote the quotation, so please ensure that you are using these words correctly!

16. Re-state your thesis in your concluding sentence(s) using different words than you initially used, but without changing your argument or point of focus.

17. When writing the title of a short story from an anthology, the title should always be written in “quotation marks”.

18. Keep your verb tense consistent in your writing (present tense rather than past tense) – i.e. “develops” rather than “developed” or “says” rather than “said”. When referring to the action in a novel, article, short story, film or television show in your writing, always use the present tense.

19. In formal writing, do not begin a sentence with the words “but,” “and,” or “because.” Although you will see this in fiction or creative writing, it is not technically accurate as these words imply an attachment to another thought/ idea (likely in the sentence preceding it), and therefore this sentence cannot stand on its own (a sentence fragment).

20. You are writing ONE (1) paragraph…How many indents. (1)
You are writing ONE (1) paragraph…How many indents? (1)! How many sentences? (15)! How many pages? (1-2 double-spaced)!

21. Pay attention to your sentence fluency…read your writing out loud to help you detect avoidable errors!

22. Use transition words and phrases to connect your sentences so that your writing flows logically and effectively (i.e. therefore, also, in addition, for example, for instance, next, consequently, nevertheless, nonetheless, furthermore, in conclusion, finally, etc.)

23. Your paragraph should not address “what the story is about” (no summaries allowed)!

24. If you use repetition in your paragraph, please use it purposefully and effectively as a rhetorical technique! There is a significant difference between not owning a thesaurus or not being original/critical/in-depth in your analysis and using repetition for emphasis.

25. Always be concise in your writing. Say exactly what you mean
Always be concise in your writing! Say exactly what you mean! Put your best ideas in the clearest wording possible!

26. Be as SPECIFIC as possible in your word choice, and in your references to the short story. Example: Do not just say “it” without first explaining what “it” is!

27. Make sure that ALL of the information that you include from the short story, and all of your observations, identification of devices, etc. are CORRECT!

28. Include a creative and relevant title for your paragraph – do not simply write a title like “Persuasive Paragraph #1” or “Persuasive Evaluation”

29. Do not confuse the terms “narrator”, “protagonist”, and “author”…they are not all the same thing! You should know the difference!

30. Remember that this is not a creative piece of writing…this is a formal persuasive paragraph. If you write a creative piece, you will receive a grade that is below a level 1- (a failing grade)

31. Do not write, “In English class we…”
Do not write, “In English class we…”. Do not reference the class in your paragraph or use personal pronouns! Maintain a formal tone!