Georgia Travels

PERSUASIVE TECHNIQUES& TOOLSWhat is a Persuasive Essay?2

.How to Begin:What is the objective or goal of persuasive writing?to state the writers opinionto give reasons why the reader should agreeto convince the reader to take actionCopying permitted

4Reasons to Know How to Write a Persuasive Essay Every good speech, discussion or essay needs strong closure to force the reader or listener to think carefully about what you have just said or written. Emphasizes critical thinking and analysis skills

Relativity: Writing to a newspaper on a local/national issue that concerns you Or to sway a institution/companys decision Provides practice for college admissions/cover letter writing Required to demonstrate this skill on the Standardized Testing

Home Page5Bringing Life to Persuasive Writing

Thats SO TRUE!Who CARES?THE PERSUASIVEESSAYWHAT EVERY STUDENTS NEEDS TO KNOW BEFORE & During WRITINGPERSUASIVE TECHNIQUESINTRODUCTIONPRE-WRITINGPROCESSSAMPLE ESSAYSLANGUAGE

Read the prompt carefully before you begin.Writing Situation: Many eighteen year olds who are old enough to vote, choose not to register, not participating in elections. Do you think it is important to register and exercise your right to vote? Consider the reasons one would want to register and participate in elections. Write an essay in support of or against voting. OR Writing Situation: For your annual seventh grade field trip, your principal has decided to allow the students to help decide where the trip will take place. The person who provides the best argument will get to decide where the students go.Write a letter to your principal explaining where you want to go and why it is the best place.

Persuasive Essay: Ways to Brainstorm9

FIRST ASK YOURSELF:

How will this situation/controversy affect me? How will it affect my family? How will it affect my school/peers? How will it affect my community? How will it affect our society? How will it affect us physically, emotionally, financially, and socially?

T-ChartPick your position: which side of the problem/issue are you on? Phillies

Blackberry

Giants Yankees

iPhone

Jets

SUPPORTAGAINST

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Step 2: Take a stand OR choose what you will be persuading your audience about. Think about the stand that will provide the three strongest reasons for argument. Think about the idea thatcould help create the bestAND most creative argument.

PERSUASIVE ESSAYNext StepAfter Brainstorming it is important we clearly identify and understand who our audience is for this particular topic.What am I doing?Identify in the WRITING TASK If youre writing a letter and to whom.Write a letter to the newspaper = Dear Editor,

Write a letter to board members = Dear Board of Education Members,

Write a letter to your principal = Dear Principal,

Write a letter to the mayor = Dear Mayor,

Write an essay = You do not need an opening salutationHome Page14

First Body ParagraphALWAYS NEED A TRANSITION WORD/PHRASE: State one reason why you agree or disagreecan appeal to the audiences logic, emotions, or moralsExplain 3 supporting details to support/prove your reason:Supporting detail Supporting detail Supporting detail

Include specific examples and allusions. BONUS POINTS!

Second Body ParagraphALWAYS NEED A TRANSITION WORD/PHRASE: State one reason why you agree or disagreecan appeal to the audiences logic, emotions, or moralsExplain 3 supporting details to support/prove your reason:Supporting detail Supporting detail Supporting detail

Include specific examples and allusions. BONUS POINTS!

Third Body ParagraphALWAYS NEED A TRANSITION WORD/PHRASE: State one reason why you agree or disagreecan appeal to the audiences logic, emotions, or moralsExplain 3 supporting details to support/prove your reason: Supporting detail Supporting detail Supporting detail

This is where you can acknowledge the opposition. Prove the other side is wrong. Choose one argument from the other side and prove it is wrong.Include specific, real-life examples and allusions. BONUS POINTS!

CONCLUSION PARAGRAPHTransition Phrase: As one can see..

1. Restate your opinion and three reasons. State a possible alternative {another option}. (Not in every essay)2. Include a sentence or a question to bring closure.Thought-provoking statement or question

Final ThoughtsWrap up your final thoughts, and restate your opinions in the last paragraph on the essay.

Home Page20PERSUASIVE WORDS A ZPersuasive words motivate readers. Imagine the impact of persuasive words in your writing. Here are a few sparks for igniting the power of your persuasive essay.marvelousMasterMaximizemeasureMobilizeMotivateNoticeObserveOutlookoutrageousOvercomePerceptionPersuadePetitephenomenalPinpointPlanPopularPositionPositivePrepareProclaimProfitProfitableProudQualityQuestRealizeReconsiderReduceRefreshRemarkReplaceRespondRetainRoaringRushSacrificingScanSceneScopeSensitiveShatterShiftShoutSilencesimplifySoftlySolidSolveSpeakspeechlessSuperbStimulateSucceedSuperiorSupplementSupportTantalizingTemptingTogethertranquilTransformTremendousTrulyTrustworthyUnderstandUnleashVibrantViewVisionVoiceWitnessWorkableWorthwhile

TRANSITION WORDS

WORDS THAT CAN BE USED TO SHOW LOCATION:AboveAcrossAgainstAlongAmongAroundBehindBelowBeneathBesideBetweenBeyondBy DownIn back ofIn front ofInsideIntoNearOffOntoOutsideOverThroughoutTo the rightUnderunderneathWORDS USED THAT CAN BE USED TO SHOW TIME:WhileAfterAtBeforeDuringFirstSecondThirdNowUntilMeanwhileTodayTomorrowNext weekYesterdaySoonLaterAfterwardAboutFinallyThenNextAs soon asWhen suddenly WORDS THAT CAN BE USED TO COMPARE TWO THINGS:LikewiseAlsoWhileIn the same wayLikeAsSimilarly TRANSITION WORDS

WORDS THAT CAN BE USED TO CONTRAST TWO THINGS:ButStill AlthoughOn the other handHoweverYetOtherwiseEven thoughWORDS THAT CAN BE USED TO CLARIFY: That isFor instanceIn other wordsWORDS THAT CAN BE USED TO EMPHASIZE A POINTAgainTrulyEspeciallyFor this reasonTo repeatIn factTo emphasizeWORDS THAT CAN BE USED TO ADD INFORMATIONAgainAnotherFor instanceFor exampleAlsoAs wellNextAndBesidesFinallyMoreoverAlong withIn additionFor exampleAdditionallyOtherConcluding TransitionsClearlyHenceEvidentlyErgo (a continuing thought)ThusThereforeAs one can see

CHEETTA

NO SECOND PERSON PRONOUNS!YOU YOUR YOURS SHOULD NOT BE USED IN FORMAL WRITING!

You is sometimes acceptable in the introduction paragraph for your HOOK only, but nowhere else. It is considered informal. We should NOT write how we speak, put your tuxedo and best dress on when you write!

Use we, us, our, ours or one or students

Having a Strong VOICE in your WritingYou feel a strong connection to the writersEmotionEnergyConvictionIntegrityyou feel SOMETHING!

Voice isPerson behind the wordsReader WriterInvolvementAwareness of audienceIndividualisticExpressive

Whos Voice is This?8:00 am Dog food! My favorite thing!9:30 am A car ride! My favorite thing!9:40 am A walk in the park! My favorite thing!10:30 am Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!12:00 pm Lunch! My favorite thing!1:00 pm Played in the yard! My favorite thing!3:00 pm Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!5:00 pm Milk bones! My favorite thing!7:00 pm Got to play ball! My favorite thing!8:00 pm Wow! Watched TV with the people! Myfavorite thing!11:00 pm Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!29Whos Voice is This?Day 983 of my captivity. My captors continue to taunt me with bizarrelittle dangling objects.They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt forthe rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order tokeep up my strength. The only thing that keeps me going is my dreamof escape. In an attempt to disgust them I once again vomit on thecarpet.Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at theirfeet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearlydemonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely madecondescending comments about what a good little hunter I am. Therewas some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight.

Whos Voice is This?I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of allergies. I must learn what this means and how to use it to my advantageToday I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one ofmy tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must trythis again tomorrow but at the top of the stairs. I am convinced thatthe other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receivesspecial privileges. He is regularly released and seems to be morethan willing to return. He is obviously an idiot. The bird has got to bean informant. I observe him communicating with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe. For now

Home PageSummer: 15 Days or 2 1/2 Months?Student Example INTRODUCTION paragraphThe final bell rings. Its the last day of school, and summer has finally come! Students dont have to think about school for at least another 2 1/2 months. That is the way it should always be. Schools should continue using the traditional calendar and not a year-round schedule (position). There are numerous downsides to year-round schooling. It has no positive effects on education (1), it adds to costs (2), and it disrupts the long-awaited summer vacation (3).

Students OpinionStudents 3 reasonsOPINION + 3 REASONS = THESIS STATEMENTParagraph 2 Reason 1 = Student ExampleContrary to the well-accepted belief, year-round schooling has no constructive impact on education. (1) Most year-round schedules use the 45-15 method: 45 days of school followed by 15 days off. Because of this, there are many first and last days of school. All those transitions disrupt the learning process. Also, (2) there is no evidence of higher test scores. Due to that, many schools that change to year-round schedules end up switching back. For example, (3) since 1980, 95 percent of schools that tried the year-round schedule changed back to a traditional calendar. It is obvious that changing to year-round schooling does not help students; therefore, why is the change necessary?

Reason 1Supporting Detail 2Supporting Detail 1Supporting Detail 3Get the reader thinking with a thought-provoking question. Paragraph 3 Reason 2 - Student ExampleLike any other facility, keeping a school open requires a great deal of money. When a school changes to a year-round schedule, the costs skyrocket. (1) Keeping school open in the middle of summer requires air conditioning, and that adds significantly to the schools expenses. The usual utility bills grow because of the additional open-school time. Finally, (2) teachers must be paid for all the weeks they are working. With all these factors, the cost of keeping schools open becomes immensely high. For example, (3) a high school in Arizona had a cost increase of $157,000 when they switched to year-round schooling. Some schools may not be able to handle such increases, and other schools that can handle these expenses could be doing better things with the money. Is year-round school really where the money should go?Reason 2Supporting Detail 3Supporting Detail 2Supporting Detail 1Paragraph 4 Reason 3 - Student ExampleAn important part of a childs life is summertime. With year-round schedules, students would hardly have any time to relax. (1) During the 15-day breaks, they would be thinking about their quick return to school. (2) It would also be difficult to coordinate family vacations with parents work schedules. (3) Similarly, children would not be able to go to most summer camps. (4) One expert, Dr. Peter Scales, says, The biggest plus of camp is that camps help young people discover and explore their talents, interests, and values. Most schools dont satisfy all these needs. Kids who have these kinds of [camp] experiences end up being healthier and have fewer problems. Obviously, the summer is crucial to a childs learning and development. Why should this invaluable part of a young persons life be taken away?

Reason 3Supporting Detail 1 & 2Supporting Detail 3 & 4Get the reader thinking with a thought-provoking question. Counterargument Could be part of your 3rd Body Paragraph (4th paragraph of your essay)Student ExampleBut does this really make sense to everyone? (1) Teachers and other education professionals spend a lot of time at the beginning of the school year reviewing material from the previous year. These days and weeks of review could be used more effectively if the lessons continued to move forward , not backward. Also, By having their children in school with short breaks in between sessions, parents would not have to pay for additional, expensive childcare. Even if (2) there are no classes taking place during summer hours, the building is still being used, therefore utility costs remain consistent throughout the year. (3) And finally, there has been a significant increase in families staying home during the summer months due to the downturn in the economy. Because of this, travel and vacations have become practically nonexistent for families with school age children. According to AAA, last year alone, there was a 53% decrease in air travel.

Reason 1Reason 2Reason 3Paragraph 5 Conclusion - Student ExampleAs one can see, it is evident that year-round schooling is not the best option for the school calendar. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the traditional school year. Why change something that works so well? The final bell rings. Lets make sure this bell means that the real summer vacation has come.

Concluding transition phrase Home Page http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cThuaPUD_Q&feature=PlayList&p=16B069ABF7F24A36&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=15 In an episode of Everybody Loves Raymond, Marie writes a persuasive letter to the FBI interviewer whom is interviewing Robert (her son)What is the issue that Marie is arguing to the FBI boss?

What reasons/examples does she use in her letter to persuade the boss?

40Allusion Reference to something outside the text.Including allusions in our writing can also enhance our essays.Historical figuresA time period in historyCurrent event in the mediaLiterary characterMovieBookPoemSongQuote by another authorReal-Life Examples & Allusions in Body ParagraphsReal-Life Examples & Allusions in Body ParagraphsIt is also important that we try to include real-life examples in our body paragraphs. Including real-life examples will enhance your writing. SAMPLE: Topic: Athlete's are overpaid. Real life example in body paragraph:I remember my thirteenth birthday party like it was yesterday. It was a wonderful day until my father informed me that he could not afford to purchase the tickets to the Giants game I wanted so badly to attend. At first I became angry, but then I realized that the tickets were over $200 each for average seats. I then realized I could enjoy the game more with my family at home and big bowl of popcorn.Get to Know Your Enemy! Explain and refute the opposite view within your essay These newscasters argue that cell phones SHOULDNT be allowed in schools. One newscaster tries to refute or negate their argument, but she doesnt do a great job. What other argument could you use to negate the opposition (prove the other side wrong).How would you refute or negate the two newscasters opinion that cell phones shouldnt be permitted in schools?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTKZ6jovfso43

Types of ArgumentsLogos (logic) means an argument based on reason.

Pathos (passion or emotions) is the use of emotional arguments to get the audience to accept ones viewpoint. It is intended that the message inspire followers.

Ethos (ethics or morals) is a moral or ethical argument that appeals to the readers morals or values; what the reader believes is morally or ethically right. Aristotle called it the moral rightness of an argument.

Rhetoric = The Art of PersuasionThe history of rhetoric and the concepts ofethos, pathos and logos began in Greece.

45Who was Aristotle?Aristotle was a famous Greek philosopher who studied the art of persuasion.

Aristotle taught Alexander the Great how to properly argue and perform a public speech.

Plato, another famous Greek philosopher, was his teacher.

46Ethos, Logos and Pathos

In approximately 300 B.C.E. Aristotle, who was a famous Greek philosopher, wrote a book entitled, The Art of Rhetoric. In his book, Aristotle identified the three methods of persuasion. He called them ethos, pathos and logos.47Ethos = a MORAL argumentThe word "ethos" came from the Greek word ethikos meaning moral or showing moral character.

Aristotle contends (argues or says) that a speaker must establish moral credibility in the minds of the audience at the beginning of his or her speech. An ethos argument demonstrates a moral or ethical argument that appeals to the readers morals or values; what the reader believes is morally or ethically right.

For example, when a trusted doctor gives you advice, you may not understand all of the medical reasoning behind the advice, but you nonetheless follow the directions because you believe that the doctor knows what she/he is talking about.

48Pathos = an EMOTIONAL argumentAn effective use of pathos will alter the mindsets of the audience through the use of emotional appeal. Appeals to pathos touch a nerve and compel people to not only listen, but to also take the next step and act in the world.Those who wish to persuade you will play with your emotions. They may persuade you with fear, love, patriotism, guilt, hate or joy.

49LogosLogos means logicLogos refers to any attempt to appeal to the intellect OR, our brains.Logos appeals to the left side of the audience's brain. The audience relies on reasoning and facts to make its decision. Numbers, polls and statistics are also examples of the persuasive use of logic.

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REVIEWEthos, Pathos and Logos1.ETHOS= an ethical or moral argument

2.PATHOS= an emotional argument

3. LOGOS= a logical argument51

Logos (logic) means an argument based on reason.

Examples:

OnStar service inside your car is better than carrying a cell phone because a cell phone cant call for you when youre injured.

There was no discernible difference in the ACT scores of graduating seniors who wore school uniforms and those who didnt.We are the only company who will roll over and save your unused phone minutes each month.Stand firm, parents. If you say no at first and then give in later, you are only teaching your children to beg, whine and pester you.

Pathos (passion or emotions) is the use of emotional arguments to get the audience to accept ones viewpoint. It is intended that the message inspire followers.Examples:

A politician says that we have to fight the war over there so that we dont have to fight it here at home.A commercial offers to tell you what your friends wont.A newspaper editorial for private-school vouchers states that our public schools are dens of thieves and thugs.A high school runs an article about drinking and driving with detailed descriptions and graphic pictures of automobile crashes.

Ethos (ethics or morals) is a moral or ethical argument that appeals to the readers morals or values; what the reader believes is morally or ethically right.

Examples:

Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country. John Fitzgerald Kennedy

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. Martin Luther King Jr.

The way ahead is not easy. We shall need all the wisdom, imagination, and courage we can muster. We must and shall guarantee the civil rights of all our citizens. Harry Truman addressing the NAACP

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