District 97 Ethnic Festival Persuasive Essay - 2011

Purpose: To persuade the reader that Diversity has affected our nation in a positive manner, and everyone

must learn to be tolerant and respectful

Audience: District 97 Ethnic Festival judges                        

Essay Prompt:  “What I can do to promote tolerance and respect for others in my community.”

Due Dates:

• Rough draft - Tuesday, March 16, minimum of four paragraphs (intro, two bodies and conclusion) 

• Final draft - TWO typed copies  – Thursday, March 24 (or earlier) - late work cannot be accepted as this is a contest deadline.

• Students will NOT be given class time to type this essay. You may type it in the Media Center before school (with an ID), during lunch (with a pass) or outside of school. Students need to save all of their work to a flash drive, in addition to the hard drive.
• Students must bring the flashdrive and ALL current DRAFTS to class each day.

Essays should include:

• Specific examples of stereotyping, bullying and other discriminatory behavior and/or language you have witnessed or experienced.  Use examples from your life, our community, world events, etc.
• A description of how you felt when you heard or saw what was happening.
• What you did, should have done, and/or will do next time about the situation to stop it.
• What difference your words/actions made or would have made.

• What is the meaning of tolerance and respect?
• Why should we be concerned about this as a community?
• How could someone learn to be more respectful and tolerant?
• What might happen to people who remain intolerant and disrespectful?

Follow the format outlined below.

• Typed, double-spaced, 12-point font (Times New Roman preferred)

• 300 words is the maximum length (not including proper heading and fabulous title)
• TWO copies are required – one for the contest and one for a language arts grade
• At least FOUR examples in EACH body paragraph that back up the thesis
• Grammar, spelling, mechanics and punctuation have been checked

Essay Parts:

Introduction:        Attention Getter – get reader interested

Thesis statement – strong, persuasive, debatable statement about diversity and bullying

Direction statement – briefly outline main points in the body paragraphs

Body:                Topic sentence with transition

Develop with evidence from the world, your community and your life (4+ per paragraph)

Statistics, facts and examples will help you to build a strong case for your argument.

Consider opposing views and concerns reader may have about your viewpoint. Explain

why your viewpoint is the best one.

Conclusion:        Summarize your essay in a clear and memorable way.

Restate the thesis in a new way

Clincher/closing statement – PERSUADE!!!  Include a “call to action”.

Persuasive Essay

What is a persuasive/argument essay?

Persuasive writing, also known as the argument essay, utilizes logic and reason to show that one idea is more legitimate than another idea. It attempts to persuade a reader to adopt a certain point of view or to take a particular action. The argument must always use sound reasoning and solid evidence by stating facts, giving logical reasons, using examples, and quoting experts.

When planning a persuasive essay, follow these steps

   1. Choose your position. Which side of the issue or problem are you going to write about, and what solution will you offer? Know the purpose of your essay.

   2. Analyze your audience. Decide if your audience agrees with you, is neutral, or disagrees with your position.

   3. Research your topic. A persuasive essay must provide specific and convincing evidence. Often it is necessary to go beyond your own knowledge and experience. You might need to go to the library or interview people who are experts on your topic.

   4. Structure your essay. Figure out what evidence you will include and in what order you will present the evidence. Remember to consider your purpose, your audience, and you topic.

The following criteria are essential to produce an effective argument

        * Be well informed about your topic. To add to your knowledge of a topic, read thoroughly about it, using legitimate sources. Take notes.

        * Test your thesis. Your thesis, i.e., argument, must have two sides. It must be debatable. If you can write down a thesis statement directly opposing your own, you will ensure that your own argument is debatable.

        * Disprove the opposing argument. Understand the opposite viewpoint of your position and then counter it by providing contrasting evidence or by finding mistakes and inconsistencies in the logic of the opposing argument.

        * Support your position with evidence. Remember that your evidence must appeal to reason. (It must make logical sense.)

The following are different ways to support your argument:

Facts - A powerful means of convincing, facts can come from your reading, observation, or personal experience.

   Note: Do not confuse facts with truths. A "truth" is an idea believed by many people, but it cannot be proven.

Statistics - These can provide excellent support. Be sure your statistics come from responsible sources. Always cite your sources.

Quotes - Direct quotes from leading experts that support your position are invaluable.

Examples - Examples enhance your meaning and make your ideas concrete. They are the proof.