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Persuasive Piece (Essay)

Persuasive Piece (Essay)


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Definition:

Persuasive essays are compositions on a single subject or issue which are designed to convince. Authors take a stand on the point they are arguing and develop a cohesive argument by providing convincing evidence to support that view.

Purpose:

  • To influence the reader’s thoughts and/or actions

Characteristics:

  • Thesis/opinion on an issue is narrowed and clearly stated
  • Structured introduction
  • Developed, ordered paragraphs with clear sentences
  • Focus on audience and purpose
  • Author’s voice and tone consistent with audience and purpose
  • Uses sound reasoning and solid evidence by stating facts, giving logical reasons, using examples, and quoting experts
  • Well organized: introduction, body, conclusion
  • Introduction grabs the reader
  • Provides well-developed reasons for opinions
  • Care is taken in positioning the strongest argument (usually provided last)
  • Gives facts and examples to support the opinion
  • Effectively uses definitions, specific vocabulary, descriptive detail, examples, quotes, appeals
  • Cohesive argument using transitions
  • Anticipates and addresses counterarguments with refuting statements
  • Support is varied (e.g. facts, statistics, statements from authorities, general/expert opinions, reasoning, anecdotes, etc.)
  • Solid conclusions
  • Balance of sentence types and lengths, some very short sentences used for impact
  • Ability to effectively handle contradictory evidence without compromising the strength of the initial position

Grade Level Instructional Scope for COMPREHENDING the Genre and Text of a Persuasive Essay:

Grade 7

Opportunities to Teach:

Grade 8

Opportunities to Teach:

Understanding the genre

  • Introduction states position to be argued
  • Body contains support of position
  • Transitions move the reader through the text
  • Conclusion leads reader to solution
  • Fact versus opinion
  • Appeals are made to logic and emotion

Understanding the text

  • Read critically
  • Evaluate evidence for authenticity
  • Analyze techniques used for persuasion

Understanding the genre

  • Introduction states the position to be argued, implies solution
  • Body contains support of position, with quotes and citations
  • Conclusion restates position with emphatic final thought
  • Points are presented in logical order, building to final and most important point
  • Fact versus opinion
  • Logical arguments appeal to emotion as well as sense of ethics

Understanding the text

  • Read critically
  • Evaluate evidence for authenticity
  • Analyze techniques used for persuasion
  • Determine relevance of details
  • Analyze organizational patterns such as chronological sequence, cause/effect

Grade Level Instructional Scope for COMPOSING the Genre and Text of a Persuasive Essay:

Grade 5

Opportunities to Teach:

Grade 6

Opportunities to Teach:

Composing the genre

  • Summarize main points
  • Draw conclusions based on evidence presented
  • Distinguish fact from opinion
  • Determine the importance of the information presented
  • Identify text patterns (theory/evidence, problem/solution, position/support)

Composing the text

  • Writing process
  • Take a position
  • Give proof of position
  • Direct reader to agree with the position, or to take action regarding the position
  • Use emotional appeal, strong opinion, credible support

Composing the genre

  • Analyze the presentation of information
  • Evaluate the author’s choice of words
  • Evaluate the validity of the evidence presented
  • Judge the logic and credibility of the argument

Composing the text

  • Writing process
  • Take a position on an issue
  • Organize and present evidence to support position
  • Use transitions to move the reader smoothly through the text
  • Present a strong conclusion to further guide the reader to agree or to take action

Booklists:

  • Grade 5
  • Grade 6
  • Grade 7
  • Grade 8

Access to the Documents:

Complete K-8 Genre Project
From the Michigan Department of Education

Complete K-8 Genre Booklist
From Kent Intermediate School District


Page last modified on February 09, 2009, at 12:40 PM