Argumentative/

Persuasive Writing

2023-24 Mr. Wilson Villanueva

6th Grade

1

What does it mean to persuade?

​

​

Persuade means: To move by argument to a belief, position, or course of action

​

​

2

When can we use our abilities to persuade?

1. Writing essays
2. Writing job applications
3. Writing research papers
4. Interviewing for jobs
5. Communicating during arguments
6. Communicating with friends and family
7. Communicating your personal beliefs 
8. Trading food at the lunch table
9. Buying / Selling a car
10. Analyzing advertising

​

​

3

How do we persuade?

1. Appeal to logic (Logos in Latin language):
• appeal to a person's sense of reason calmly
• use statistics and facts
• use quotations
2. Appeal to emotion (Pathos in Latin language):
• use vivid imagery
• utilize emotional examples
• use figurative language 
3. Appeal to trust (Ethos in Latin language):
• consider audience's interests, beliefs, education
• use correct grammar
• use appropriate vocabulary 

4

How do we write persuasively?

"Persuasive writing is writing that sets out to influence or change an audience's thoughts or actions"

5

1. Clearly state the issue and your position in the introduction (thesis statement).
2. Use language appropriate to the audience.
3. Support your position with facts, statistics, and reasons.
4. Answer possible objections to your position.
5. Utilize clear reasoning.

Organizing an Introduction

A: Attention-getter

C: Connecting statement

T: Thesis

S: Summary

6

ACTS

Attention - Getter

7

1. Make a statement of an interesting fact or detail that is associated with the topic that will be discussed.

2. Begin with an informative quotation that is relevant to the topic that will be discussed.

3. Discuss a personal experience that you have had or know of that relates to the topic being discussed.

4. Provide background information about the topic that will be discussed.

5. Provide a hypothetical situation that would relate to the topic and prepare the audience for what is to come.

Example Topic

School districts nationwide have made it a priority to place electronic devices of some type into the hands of their students.  Do you believe this is the best course of action to take to enhance students’ educational experiences?

8

Organizing Body Paragraphs

MEL

9

M: Main Idea

E: Example

L: Link

Main Idea

This is the topic sentence of the paragraph that provides the audience with the "BIG IDEA".

​

IDEA #1:

​

​

​

10

Example

This is an example that supports / proves the main idea.

​

IDEA #1:

​

​

​

11

Link

This is where you explain how / why the example you stated supports / proves your main idea.

​

IDEA #1:

​

​

​

​

12

Example

This is an example that supports the main idea and helps to tell why the main idea is correct.

​

IDEA #1:

13

Link

This is where you explain how / why the example you stated supports your main idea.

​

IDEA #1:

​

​

​

​

14

Main Idea

This is the topic sentence of the paragraph that provides the audience with the "BIG IDEA".

​

IDEA #2:

​

​

​

15

Main Idea

This is the topic sentence of the paragraph that provides the audience with the "BIG IDEA".

​

IDEA #3:

​

​

16

Body Paragraph Checklist

• Does the body paragraph begin with a transition?
• Does the body paragraph have a topic sentence that clearly states what the paragraph is going to talk about?
• Does the body paragraph have 2 clear examples that prove / support your topic sentence?
• Does the body paragraph have 2 clear links that explain how or why the examples support your topic sentence?

​

​

​

17

Organizing a Conclusion

S: Summary

T: Thesis

E: Examples

C: Clincher

18

STEC

Subjects / Thesis

1. Begin with a "Conclusion" transition.
2. Restate the thesis / summary you created as the last sentence of the introduction.
• Original thesis / summary:
•  
• Restated thesis / summary:

19

Examples

1. Review two to three of your best examples from the previous body paragraphs.

​

Example:

20

Clincher "Conclusion"

1. State a call to action (ask audience to do something):
2. State a personal conclusion (what do you think will happen):
3. State a solution (how can the problem / issue be solved):
• ​

21

Terms for Review

• What is a Persuasive Essay?

​

• An essay that presents a point of view and a counter point of view with the intent to persuade or convince.

22

Terms for Review Just the Facts for Persuasive Compositions

Definitions

• Issue

a topic on which people hold different, and often strong, opinions

​

23

Just the Facts for Persuasive Compositions

• Topic Sentence/ Thesis Statement:

- a sentence that states the topic of a composition and the writer’s opinion about the topic.

IVF: identify the topic/ choose a verb/ finish the thought

​

24

Just the Facts for Persuasive Compositions

• Argument:

- the writer’s presentation of reasons and evidence to prove the validity of the thesis

25

Just the Facts for Persuasive Compositions

• Counterargument:
• the writer’s acknowledgement that other people may not share the same opinion

26

Just the Facts for Persuasive Compositions

• Transitions:
• words or phrases that show how sentences or ideas connect to each other

​

27

Just the Facts for Persuasive Compositions

• Public voice:

- a more formal use of the language than everyday speech, the language of business and news reporting; the opposite is private voice, the language between friends, often involving slang and incomplete sentences

28

Organization

• The persuasive composition has a specific organizational pattern:
• Thesis –
• Argument –
• Counterargument –
• Rebuttal –
• Conclusion

29

Example Prompt

• What is the best sport for children to play? In this writing test you will write a persuasive essay to convince the reader of your position. Give convincing reasons that support your positions and address the concerns of those who would argue against your position.

30

Outline

Thesis = Soccer is the ideal sport for children

​

31

teaches teamwork

--every position has a job

--everyone must work together to win

--physically smaller

--not as athletic

--work together well

home, school

too intimidating for some

learning teamwork necessary

argument

counter

rebuttal

Conclusion

Paragraph One:Thesis

• Hook + History+ Thesis Statement

​

Hook- Parents often wonder what is the best sport for children to play.

History/Background- Sports are an important part of growing up.

Thesis-Although there are many sports, I believe soccer is an ideal sport for children

32

Transitions for argument:

 One reason

 First,

33

Expand Your Argument

One reason is that soccer teaches teamwork. Each position has a specific job. Forwards have the responsibility of scoring goals. The fullbacks’ job is defense, and the halfbacks assist both forwards and fullbacks. Defense of the goal is the duty of the goalie. In order to win all must do their jobs well and rely on each other for help.

​

34

Transitions for counterargument:

• I will admit
• Certainly,
• Of course,
• I will concede
• Admittedly,
• Obviously,

35

Transitions for rebuttal:

• However,
• On the other hand,
• Nevertheless,
• Conversely,
• Yet,
• Still,

36

37

   Soccer: An Ideal Sport for Children

Sports are an important part of growing up. Parents often wonder what is the best sport for children to play. Although there are many sports, I believe soccer is an ideal sport for children.

One reason is that soccer teaches teamwork. Each position has a specific job. Forwards have the responsibility of scoring goals. The fullbacks’ job is defense, and the halfbacks assist both forwards and fullbacks. Defense of the goal is the duty of the goalie. In order to win all must do their jobs well and rely on each other for help.

38

Expand Your Counter

Certainly, team sports can intimidate children. Some children may be physically smaller than others. Age group teams are meant to solve this problem, but it is not unusual to see large differences of height and weight in children of the same age. Others may not be as athletic as other team members. Children are particularly sensitive about how they compare to their peers. When they cannot run as fast as other team members or are not as agile, they fear ridicule.

​

​

39

Expand Your Rebuttal

However, learning to work as part of a team is essential to success in many other areas. Children have to learn to cooperate both at school and home. In school students are expected to work together without conflict. Many teachers use cooperative groups to teach.

At home children are expected to be part of the family team and help with chores that need to be done. When they are older, these children may have a job that requires teamwork. Only rarely does a person work in job that does not require working with others.     

​

40

Office workers have to work together to accomplish the tasks given to them. Construction workers have to be part of a team effort to finish buildings on time and on budget.

Therefore, I believe parents should encourage their children to play soccer. While some children may feel intimidated at the beginning, by learning to be part of a team, they will be preparing themselves for future success.

Evaluate

• A clear thesis statement?
• Obvious organization?
• Strong transitions?
• Specific examples & evidence?
• A memorable conclusion?

​

41

Closure

• What are the 5 parts of a persuasive essay?
• Thesis, argument, counter- argument, rebuttal, and conclusion
• Give examples of transitions for each part:

42

Outline

Thesis = School uniforms are better than free dress.

​

43

breaks down barriers

helps students bond over what they like vs. what they  look like

get along

​

​

limits students

fosters creativity

argument

counter

rebuttal

Conclusion=promote growth, economical, learning environment

feels like jail

can't express themselves

students are forced to look at the internal vs. external

don't have to compete in fashion

​

44

Topics

1. All students should wear uniforms
2. Why should you vote?
3. Should college be free?
4. Should we abolish zoos?
5. Free speech should have limitations
6. Is social media beneficial or harmful?
7. Should college athletes be paid?
8. Can animal testing be ethical?
9. Does school start too early?
10. Everyone should have a pet
11. Should schools ban junk food?
12. Books should be replaced with tablets
13. Cats are better than dogs
14. Dogs are better than cats
15. How important are sports in education
16. Kids should have laptops