2. In argumentative essays
we try to convince others
to agree with our facts,
share our values,
accept our argument and
conclusions, and adopt our
way of thinking.

3. Elements toward building a
good persuasive essay include
1. establishing facts
to support an argument
2. clarifying relevant values
for your audience (perspective)
3. prioritizing, editing, and/or sequencing
the facts and values in importance to build the
argument
4. forming and stating conclusions
5. "persuading" your audience that your conclusions
are based upon the agreed-upon facts and shared values
6. having the confidence
to communicate your "persuasion" in writing

4. Here are some strategies to
complete a persuasive writing
assignment:
1. Write out the questions in your own words.
2. Think of the questions posed in the assignment
while you are reading and researching.
3. Determine facts
4. any sources that will help you determine their reliability
(as well as for further reference)
5. what prejudices lie in the argument
or values that color the facts or the issue
6. what you think of the author's argument
7. List out facts; consider their importance:
prioritize, edit, sequence, discard, etc.
8. Ask yourself "What's missing?"

6. Making a claim
What is an argument?
= the “claim”, or “main idea”, or “thesis statement”
IMPORTANT: a CLAIM must be backed up with evidence
that supports the idea.
It is time to stake out a position and prove why it is a
good position for a thinking person to hold.

7. Is it as EASY as PIE…
or is it as easy as Pi?
Claims can be as simple as: “Protons are positively charged and
electrons are negatively charged,”
with evidence such as, “In this experiment, protons and electrons acted
in such and such a way.”
Claims can also be as complex as : “The end of the South African
system of apartheid was inevitable,” using reasoning and evidence
such as, “Every successful revolution in the modern era has come about
after the government in power has given and then removed small
concessions to the uprising group.”
In either case, the rest of your paper will detail the reasoning and
evidence that have led you to believe that your position is best.

8. What is my purpose?
For example, the purpose of this power point is to help
you become a better writer, and we are arguing that an
important step in the process of writing effective
arguments is understanding the concept of
argumentation.
If your papers do not have a main point,
they cannot be arguing for anything.

9. Why does this matter?
Consider this: your instructors probably know a lot
more than you do about your subject matter. Why, then,
would you want to provide them with material they
already know? Instructors are usually looking for two
things:
1) Proof that you understand the material
2) A demonstration of your ability to use or apply the
material in ways that go beyond what you have read
or heard.

10. Possible Essay Topics
1) Eliminate all school dances and assemblies at MHS.
2) MHS to go from traditional to year-round school.
3) MHS will shorten the school week to four days a
week, but each day would be longer.
4) MHS should require school uniforms.
Any other topic MUST be approved by your teacher.

11. Your assignment
0 Choose one of the topics from the last slide.
0 Write an argumentative essay.
0 Argue BOTH sides of the same argument.
0 Two pages devoted to proving the argument labeled
“PRO” at the top of the paper
0 Two pages devoted to disproving your argument
labeled “CON” at the top of the paper

12. HOT BUTTONS
List possible
emotions/emotional
reactions and recognize
them for later use

13. First Draft
to be handwritten
Start as close as possible to your reading/research
Do not concern yourself with grammar or spelling (yet)
Write your first paragraph
0 Introduce the topic
0 Inform the reader of your point of view!
0 Entice the reader to continue with the rest of the paper!
0 Focus on three main points to develop

14. Establish flow from paragraph
to paragraph
0 Keep your voice active (see Active/Passive voice PWPT)
0 Quote sources
to establish authority
0 Stay focused
on your point of view throughout the essay
0 Focus on logical arguments
0 Use interesting transitional words
0 Don't lapse into summary
in the development--wait for the conclusion

15. Conclusion
0 Summarize, then conclude, your argument
Refer to the first paragraph/opening statement as
well as the main points
0 does the conclusion restate the main ideas?
0 reflect the succession and importance of the arguments
0 logically conclude their development

16. Edit/rewrite the first
paragraph
to better explain your development and conclusion.
DAY 2- Friday

17. EDITING and FINAL DRAFT
Day 3 – Monday
 Re-read your paper
with a fresh mind and a sharp pencil
 Ask yourself:
Am I convinced?
Will this convince a reader?
Will they understand my values, and agree with my facts?
 Peer Edit Does this paper contain any faulty logic? Identify the faulty
logic and suggest ways to correct it .
 Check spelling and grammar!
 The peer should respond to your argument.
Were they convinced?
 Revise if necessary.
 Turn in the paper
 Celebrate a job well done,
with the confidence that you have done your best.

18. How to respond to criticism
Consider criticism as a test of developing your
powers of persuasion.Try not to take it personally.
0 If your facts are criticized,
double check them, and then cite your sources.
0 If your values are criticized,
sometimes we need agree "to disagree". Remember: your success in persuading others assumes
that the other person is open to being persuaded!
0 Fear: If you are not used to communicating,
especially in writing, you may need to overcome fear on several levels. Writing, unlike
unrecorded speech, is a permanent record for all to see, and the "context" is not as important as
in speech where context "colors" the words. For example: your readers do not see you, only your
words. They do not know what you look like, where you live, who you are.
0 Persuasion also has another dimension:
it is built with facts, which illustrate conclusions. Of course, this means you need to know what
you are talking about, and cannot be lazy with your facts, or you will not succeed in convincing
anyone. This shows another level of fear: Fear of making a mistake that will make your
argument or persuasion meaningless. Since you are writing, and the words are on paper for all
to see (or on a web site!), you need to work to make sure your facts are in order.