Transcript Essay Writing 101

Essay Writing 101
English 11
Ms Cross
What is a Persuasive Essay?
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Persuasive/Argument essay, uses logic and
reason to show that one idea is more
legitimate (better) than another idea. It
attempts to persuade a reader to adopt a
certain point of view or to take a particular
action.
To accomplish this, you must select a limited
topic which is well defined and debatable
(that is has more than one side).
What do you need to do?
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Identify your main idea and choose your position. Which
side of the issue or problem are you going to write about, and
what solution will you offer?
Be well informed about your topic. To add to your
knowledge of a topic, read thoroughly about it, using legitimate
sources. Take notes.
Identify the strongest supporting points for your
persuasion. You will need to do a little research in order to
accomplish this. A persuasive essay must provide specific and
convincing evidence.
Support your position with evidence. Remember that your
evidence must appeal to reason and be true and accurate.
Topics to consider…
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Important scientific discovery
Greenhouse effect
Professional athletes
The decline of local
newspapers
School rules
Human cloning
Environmental policies
Images of women in the media
War
Media violence
Government
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Laws
School uniform
Video games
Sports and steroid use
Violence in society/media
Religious holiday decorations
in schools
Graffiti
The age limit for drinking
School scheduling
Use of internet by small
children
Public funding of community
sports programs
More topics to consider…
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Social networking site
(Facebook, etc)
Terrorism
Cell phone use in cars
The phenomenon of reality
television
Voting
Curfew for children
Advertisement targeting
practices
Internet privacy issues
Internet social networking
websites
Sexual imagery in the media
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Effects of cell phones on
society
Cigarette or alcohol advertising
Effects of violent movies on
children
Illegal music downloading
Drafting athletes out of high
school
Should internet be censored?
Corporate sponsorship of
university sports
Academic expectations of
college athletes
Professional athletes salary
caps
Yup…more topics…
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Alcohol sales at sporting
events
College sports recruitment
practices
Sexual education and
awareness
Single parent families
Clash of civilizations
Health and hygiene in times of
epidemic
Politics across countries
Olympics
Environmental issues
Dangerous places
Wealth and power
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Human cloning and ethics
Morality and religion
Science and technology
Space exploration
Life beyond earth
Ecology of earth
Criminals and criminology
Effects of globalization
Children and education
Understanding transportation
systems
Wonders of the world
Dating and relationship issues
The world of celebrities
Did you find a topic yet…
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The future of science and
technology
Addictions
Diseases and treatment
Advertising in schools
Eating disorders
Athletes as role models
Adoption
Are parents of teen vandals be
held responsible for their
child's damage
Benefit of team sports
Celebrity gossip and the
paparazzi
Commercialization of sports
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Illegal music downloading
Cosmetic surgery
Cyber stalkers
Controversial music lyrics
Death penalty or life sentence
Domestic abuse and violence
should be punished
Effects of cell phones
Effects of divorce on children
Free public transport for
everybody
Funding issues for women's
sports Immigration rights
Divorce
How to write your introduction
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An introduction must be at least 3-5
sentences.
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Opening sentence(s): hook your reader's
attention and provide background information on
your topic or controversy.
Middle sentence: your thesis statement with
three subtopics ~ see the thesis power point
Final sentence(s): either – introduce your first
topic, provide a fact, or an additional piece of
information about your topic.
Body Paragraphs
You need three body paragraphs – one for each of
your thesis’s subtopics.
Each paragraph needs to include (in order):
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A topic sentence that clearly link the topic of the
paragraph back to the thesis statement.
Supporting points (your reasons why this paragraphs
topic is correct)
Elaborations of supporting points with support/facts
A concluding sentence that restates your topic or
transitions into the next paragraph (if possible).
Conclusion
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Your conclusion needs at least 4-5 sentences.
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Begin with one sentence for each of your subtopics
from your thesis – restated in a strong, confident matter.
This is your last chance to convince your reader that your
view point is correct.
Conclude your entire essay with a final sentence that uses
one of the following techniques.
 Take your essay back full circle to your introduction
 Inspire the reader to action, to make a change
 Answer the question "So what? Why is this important?”
 Final example/image that you have not used yet
Now for all the Do not Do’s…
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As an essay is a formal piece of writing, informal
writing is not excepted. Do not do the following;
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Use “I” statements (I think, I believe, I feel) – just make the
statement without your personal voice
Use the statements “In this essay”, “In conclusion”, “My
arguments are”, or “My thesis is” – these are unnecessary,
informal and just word count fillers.
Use contractions: don’t, won’t, shouldn’t, wouldn’t, couldn’t,
etc – these are not actually words; they need to be spelled.
Informal language/slang – unless you are quoting from a
source that uses them
Rubric
Thought &
Detail
Organization
Matters of
Correctness
Matters of
Choice
Excellent
(9-10)
Thoughtful ideas are
supported by
carefully
selected and
relevant details
A distinct main idea is
fully developed with
effective use of
transitions and
logical paragraphing
Choice of language
techniques
contribute to
effective writing
Demonstrates precise
control of conventions,
style, and dictions
Proficient
(7-8)
Good ideas are
supported by
purposefully
chosen details
A clear main idea is fully
developed with good
transitions and
logical paragraphing
Choice of language
techniques
contribute to good
writing
Demonstrates control of
conventions, style, and
dictions
Acceptabl
e
(5-6)
Relevant ideas are
supported by
adequate details.
The main idea is developed
mechanically with
some coherent
transitions and
paragraphing
Choice of language
techniques
contribute to
conventional writing
Demonstrates lapses of
control of conventions,
style, and dictions,
however
communication is clear
Limited
(3-4)
Topic is vaguely
developed with
superficial ideas
that are vaguely
supported
The main idea is organized
in a limited way, is
vague and unclear
and few transitions
and no paragraphing
Choice of language
techniques are
awkward and
contribute to vague
and limited writing
Demonstrates lapses in
control of conventions
and errors may be
distracting
Unsatisfac
tory
(1-2)
Topics is not
developed or is
developed
incoherently
These is little or no
evidence of
organization, the
main idea is lacking,
no evidence of
paragraphing
Choice of language and
techniques are
minimal
Errors in conventions
contribute to confusing
writing
Insufficien
There is no evidence of an attempt to fulfill the assignment