PREPARING FO

R THE

PERSUASIVE ESSAY

A P SP A N I S

H LA N G U A G E &

CU LT U R E 2

0 1 4

Ken Stew

art ●

Chapel Hill,

NC

HOW CAN I EXPRESS MY OPINION IN A CONVINCING WAY?

A persuasive essay is like charming someone: build your case forcefully and intelligently without offending them.

5 STEPS TO A 5…Párrafo 1 Introducción: Presentación de la

tesisPárrafo 2 Refutar el punto de vista opuestoPárrafo 3 Inclusión de la evidencia que apoya

directamente la tesisPárrafo 4 Últimos datos: ampliación de la

información presentada, inclusión de la opinión general sobre el tema, analogías y datos que ayuden a reforzar la tesis

Párrafo 5 Conclusión: resumen de lo planteado, reafirmación de la tesis. Se puede cerrar

con una cita o anécdota personal/famosa y dejar un final abierto (interrogante planteado, anuncio de posibles consecuencias, etc.)

PERSUASIVE ESSAY OUTLINEIntroductory Paragraph Grab the reader’s attention by using a “hook.”Give an overview of the argument.Close with a thesis statement that reveals the position to be

argued.Body ParagraphsEach body paragraph should focus on one piece of evidence.Within each paragraph, provide sufficient supporting detail.Opposing View ParagraphDescribe and then refute the key points of the opposing

view.Concluding ParagraphRestate and reinforce the thesis and supporting evidence.

GUIDELINES Begin with a concise statement of

position on the issue (Hook sentence)

State your position Support this position with valid

evident from the sources(facts, statistics, examples, reasons,expert opinions, responsible appeals to emotion)

Address the audience whose views may differ from your own.

Anticipate opposing arguments.

Conclude in a way that prompts the reader to change their way of thinking or to take a certain course of action

“WRITING COMES MORE EASILY WHEN YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY.” --SHOLEM ASCH

Develop your thesis statement to take a stand on the issue and that focuses your argument.

Se debe preservar la quinceañera tradicional ya que refleja un rito especial para la honorada tanto como el valor y la identidad de la familia hispana.

Narrow your position to one strong, clear statement.

One way to do this is to ask yourself, “What should be done about it?”

AN UNFOCUSED IDEA A FOCUSED STATEMENT OF POSITION

Smoking is a terrible habit. Smoking should be banned from cafés and restaurants as well as from other public places.

WHAT SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT IT?They ought to do something downtown. The public should do something about the panhandlers ; give panhandlers food vouchers instead of cash.

HOW DO I DEVELOP MY ARGUMENT? Once you have stated your

position, make a case for it. Use facts, examples from the

sources, anecdotes that show your readers what the issue entails and why it’s important.

Appeal to your readers’ emotions, but do so sparingly.

Example--

ESTABLISH COMMON GROUNDRecognize the other side of the

argument.Distinguish fact from opinion.Use statistics accurately.Build credibility. (Quote sparingly

or none at all)Set an effective tone.Check your logic.Evaluate your points. (re-

emphasize your strongest point)

REVISING THE PERSUASIVE ESSAY• Does the essay present a firm position on the issue,

supported by relevant facts, statistics, quotes, and examples?

• Does the essay open with an effective “hook” that intrigues readers and keeps them reading?

• Does each paragraph offer compelling evidence focused on a single supporting point?

• Is the opposing point of view presented and convincingly refuted?

• Is the sentence structure varied? Is the word choice precise? Do the transitions between sentences and paragraphs help the reader’s understanding?

• Does the concluding paragraph convey the value of the writer’s position and urge the reader to think and act?

If the essay is still missing the mark, take another look the thesis. Does it present the strongest argument? Test it by writing a thesis statement for the opposing viewpoint. In comparison, does the original thesis need strengthening? Once the thesis presents a well-built argument with a clear adversarial viewpoint, the rest of the essay should fall into place more easily.