1. Persuasive Essay The Write Stuff Essay Core Knowledge 6 th Grade 2001 Colorado Unit Writing Project

2. Vocabulary To persuade is to convince using reasoning. Reasoning is discussing something logically, justifying an opinion An essay is a short piece of writing that deals with one topic and expresses the author’s viewpoint on a subject A thesis is the main idea of an essay. Therefore, a persuasive essay would be a short piece of writing about one main idea (topic) that is used to convince the reader of the author’s opinion.

3. Convince Me I am considering taking you outside for this afternoon for a game of Ultimate Frisbee. Convince me that I should take you outside. Tip: I won’t be convinced unless you come up with worthwhile reasons. Begging or bribing will not help.

4. Purpose of a Persuasive Essay The purpose of a persuasive essay is just as this, to convince someone that you are right and to take action. Persuasive writing can take form of written advice, like a “Dear Abby” column. Advertisements in newspapers or magazines are also forms of persuasive writing. We will participating in a form of persuasive writing when we compose persuasive essays.

5. Brainstorm In a brainstorm, all responses are accepted. We don’t analyze our responses until after the brainstorm session is over. What are some things you are passionate about? What do you feel strongly about?

6. Example Dog owners might choose to send their dog to obedience school. Dog owners pay for someone to train their dogs. How do you feel about dog obedience school? Would you send your dog? Why or why not?

7. Putting Your Opinion on Paper Start your essay with an attention-getting introduction. You can begin with a question, such as “Do you like it when dogs bark all night while you are trying to sleep?” You can begin with an exaggeration, such as “Dogs without discipline bark all night.” You can begin your essay with a startling fact, such as “Dogs will bark unless they are trained to do otherwise.”

8. Introduction Continued You can begin your essay with a short story, such as “Last night I was so tired. I curled up and was ready to go to sleep. I shut my eyes and began to drift into dreamland when suddenly, I heard the ear-piercing barking of my next-door neighbor’s dog. It went on and on, becoming louder and louder. I felt like I was going to scream!”

9. Purpose of the Introduction The main purpose of the introduction is to explain the issue and then to state an opinion about the issue. The main idea, or opinion, of the essay is called the thesis.

10. Example of an Introduction Some dogs are pests. They bark at your guest and jump on your furniture. They chew your shoes, and they bother you when you’re eating. Maybe these dogs were born this way, but that’s unlikely. They probably became pests because their owners never trained them. Dogs need to be taught how to behave. They need to learn the family’s rules, such as when it is okay to bark. A good obedience class can provide this education. Every pet dog should be required to attend such a class.

11. Body of the Essay After the introduction is the body of the essay. The body should develop a strong argument for the position of the writer. Each paragraph of the body of the paper should focus on a separate point of the main argument.

12. Example of One Body Paragraph Most importantly, obedience school trains the owner as well as the animal. This is crucial, because the owner must know how to control the dog. Otherwise, the dog will forget its training. In a few months, it will be a pest again. Owners that learn with their pets are rewarded in several ways. Their families and pets are happier because everyone is following the same rules. And their guests feel more relaxed because they don’t have to worry about getting dog hair all over their clothes.

13. Thesis Statement of a Paragraph What is the main point of this paragraph? Most importantly, obedience school trains the owner as well as the animal. This is crucial, because the owner must know how to control the dog. Otherwise, the dog will forget its training. In a few months, it will be a pest again. Owners that learn with their pets are rewarded in several ways. Their families and pets are happier because everyone is following the same rules. And their guests feel more relaxed because they don’t have to worry about getting dog hair all over their clothes.

14. Supporting Reasons What are some of the supporting reasons of the main point? Most importantly, obedience school trains the owner as well as the animal. This is crucial, because the owner must know how to control the dog. Otherwise, the dog will forget its training. In a few months, it will be a pest again. Owners that learn with their pets are rewarded in several ways. Their families and pets are happier because everyone is following the same rules. And their guests feel more relaxed because they don’t have to worry about getting dog hair all over their clothes.

15. 5 Paragraph Format Essays are often formatted in a 5 paragraph style. Paragraph 1: Introduction Paragraph 2: Body (Reason 1 and supporting details) Paragraph 3: Body (Reason 2 and supporting details) Paragraph 4: Body (Reason 3 and supporting details) Conclusion

16. We’ve discussed the introduction and body paragraphs. The remaining paragraph is our conclusion. The conclusion is the final section of the essay. The writer restates the issue, his/her opinion, and again supports the opinion.

17. Example of Conclusion All dog owners should take their dogs to obedience school. Although you may love your pesky pooch, you would lose your patience in time. Obedience school can train almost any dog to behave. Notice the use of “all” and “only”. These power words help make the opinion seem as if it is the only correct opinion.

18. Has Your Opinion Changed? Now that you’ve read portions of an essay written by someone who is in favor of obedience school, have you changed your opinion about obedience school? Would you be more likely to send your dog to obedience school now that you’ve read this particular argument?

19. Quality Essay Checklist My topic and position are clearly stated in my opening paragraph. My position is supported with facts, examples, and reasons. My paper doesn’t include unnecessary or unrelated ideas. My ideas are linked together with words like therefore, because, and finally. My ideas flow smoothly. My closing is strong and restates my position. My paper is convincing.

20. Conventions Checklist I used complete sentences. I created new paragraphs when I introduced new ideas. I used commas, periods, and other punctuation marks correctly. I used correct spelling throughout my essay.