A general overview of persuasive writing. This presentation identifies the purpose of persuasive writing and lists its components. This is an introductory slideshow.

1. Persuasive Writing:The Basics By Ms. M. Hudson Resurrection of Our Lord School

2. Persuasive Writing Seeks to change an opinion or a stance Seeks to change a behavior May act as a call-to-action Pays close attention to word choice to influence readers

3. What is your stance? Effective persuasive writing does not “ride the fence.” Decide what your opinion, or position, is and stick to it. The sentence that contains your opinion is called a position statement. The position statement contains the main idea in persuasive writing.

4. Pros & Cons Pros: reasons why people agree with a topic (or a position statement) Cons: reason why people disagree with a topic (or a position statement) Listing pros and cons can help you organize your thoughts and strengthen your argument. WRITING PROCESS NOTE Listing pros and cons is a way to brainstorm or generate ideas for writing.

5. Gathering Evidence Use supporting details to make your argument strong. Supporting details can be facts, statistics, examples, expert opinions, and / or quotations (stories) from people who share your position. WRITING PROCESS NOTE In the first draft, add supporting details to build effective paragraphs. During revision, review evidence to ensure that it strengthens your position statement. Delete weak evidence. Research again.

6. Types of Evidence Facts Statements that can be proven The majority of students do not want to wear uniforms. Statistics Facts expressed in numbers A survey of the student body reveals that 90% of students want to change the uniform policy. Example A specific instance, incident, or event Students at Roth High School in New Jersey collected petitions from 1,200 students who want to change the mandatory school uniform policy.

7. Paragraph Components In persuasive writing

8. The paragraph must have … A position statement (main idea; “should” or “should not”) Supporting details (fact, statistic, example, or expert opinion that supports the main idea) A concluding statement (summarizes the main idea)

9. Write Time! Review your list of pros and cons. Select one pro and write a paragraph that uses the pro to support your main idea.

11. Decide which position, or stance, you will argue (for uniforms or against uniforms).

12. Select at least one pro or con – depending upon your stance – to defend in your paragraph.

13. Write a paragraph that supports that pro or con [FIRST DRAFT] 8/23/2010