Writing an Introduction

The introduction has a "hook or grabber" to catch the reader's attention. Some
"grabbers" include:

• Opening with an unusual detail: (Manitoba, because of its cold climate, is not thought of as a great place to be a reptile. Actually, it has the largest seasonal congregation of garter snakes in the world!)
• Opening with a strong statement: (Cigarettes are the number one cause of lighter sales in Canada!)
• Opening with a Quotation: (Elbert Hubbard once said , "Truth is stronger than fiction.")
• Opening with a Statistic or Fact: Sometimes a statistic or fact will add emphasis or interest to your topic. It may be wise to include the item's authoritative source.
• Opening with an Exaggeration or Outrageous Statement. (The whole world watched as the comet flew overhead)

The introduction should also include a thesis or focus statement.
The Thesis/Hypothesis is your statement of opinion. The thesis/hypothesis should be one sentence in length (two sentences maximum). This is the foundation of your essay and it will serve to guide you in writing the entire paper.

This information was adapted from:
Www2.waterforduhs.k12.wi.us,. N. p., 2015. Web. 21 Mar. 2015.

Please see the 3/16/15 blog post for the full intro paragraph requirements.

IAS Research Organizer/Essay Outline

Research Organizer/Essay Outline

Writing Effective Reasons

Your reasons explain WHY your thesis should be believed.  Effective reasons should be logical and able to be supported by facts and examples.  Be careful to avoid listing reasons that are essentially the same as other reasons.

Example of Repetitive Reasons

Thesis: Texting while driving should be illegal in all states.
Reason 1: Texting while driving can cause car accidents which can hurt you.
Reason 2: Texting while driving can cause car accidents which can hurt others.

Because both of these reasons refer to accidents that cause injury, it would be better to combine them into one reason:

Texting while driving can cause car accidents which can hurt you and others.

Creating a thesis statement

A strong thesis statement is key to writing a persuasive essay. The thesis statement presents your topic to the reader, provides your opinion on that topic, and summarizes the argument you’ll make in the paper by offering evidence for your opinion. A good thesis statement should capture all of these essential details in just one or two sentences. The thesis statement generally appears after a brief introduction of your topic, often as the last sentence of your first paragraph. The following information will help you write a thesis statement for a persuasive essay.

Express an Opinion

• Make sure that your point of view is clear and debatable. 
• An easy way to test your thesis is to ask yourself whether your reader could challenge or oppose your thesis statement. 
• Your thesis should not simply states facts that someone couldn’t disagree with.

Be Specific

• The reader should know exactly what you’re going to argue and why. 
• Example: “ASPCA is a good organization that helps animals” 
• This a weak thesis because it’s not specific or focused enough. 
• Example:  "The students of HTMS should donate money to support ASPCA because of the great work they do to help abused animals across the country.”
• This is a strong thesis because it is focused and has a clear point of view. 

Pass the "How and Why" Test

• Your thesis statement should answer one or both of two key questions: “how” and “why.”
•  For example: if you think that saving animals from captivity is the most important cause to support, then your thesis should tell readers how or why it’s important. 
• If a reader can't determine the "how" or "why" from your thesis statement, your thesis might be too open-ended, and you may need to clarify your point of view.

Works Cited
Mahoney, Amy. 'How To Create A Thesis Statement For A Persuasive Essay | The Classroom | Synonym'. N. p., 2015. Web. 18 Mar. 2015.

IAS Pre-Research

Now that you have decided on three potential topics, you will need to complete pre-research to determine which topic would work best for you. You and your partner will need to determine some research questions to focus your search (as modeled in class). One member of your group should go to the document below and make a copy. Partners need to work on the same document, so one will make a copy and share it with the other partner.

Pre-Research Document

I Am Somebody Project

-Lily Tomlin

We will be starting a new project this week called the "I Am Somebody" Project. You will need to find a cause, project, idea, or movement that you want to support to help change the world for the better. This project will be an exercise in considering others and their needs, rather than our own. This will be a continuation of the persuasive writing unit. In the last writing assignment, you used persuasion to convince your parents of something that you needed. This project will allow you to use persuasion to convince others to support a cause in which you believe whole heartedly. You will need to consider what cause to support, how you can support them, and how you can convince others to do the same.We will be doing extensive research, so try to find a cause that truly inspires you.  You will be working with a partner throughout this project. We will complete all requirements in class together over the next few weeks. There will be a research/writing assignment as well as a multi-media presentation. The requirements for both are below:

Written Essay 

*Each of the following bulleted requirements is worth five points*

Introduction

·         includes an attention-grabbing hook

·         includes a thesis that clearly states the topic and the author’s opinion of the topic

·         lists two different logical points that support the thesis

Body Paragraph (each person in a partnership/group is responsible for writing one body paragraph)

·         focuses on a single point

·         each point is logical and clearly supports the thesis

·         includes a clear topic sentence (introducing the point)

·         includes at least three supporting detail sentences

·         includes at least two outside facts or examples within the supporting details that clearly support each reason

·         includes a closing sentences that summarizes and brings the paragraph to a close

·         contains no errors in spelling, punctuation, capitalization, or word usage

·         lists reasons (one per paragraph) in the same order as the introduction

Conclusion 

·         restates the thesis

·         relists reasons

·         gives a clear call to action

Works Cited 

·         contains at least three credible outside sources

·         correctly formatted (correctly punctuated and capitalized, double-spaced, labeled, alphabetized, and on a page by itself)

Vocabulary

Format/Vocabulary

·         maintains a formal style (not conversational and written in third person)

·         essay has a proper MLA heading, 12 point Arial/Times New Roman font, and double spaced

Transitions

·         uses transitions appropriately between sentences and paragraphs to clarify the relationships between ideas

Conventions

·         contains no errors in spelling, punctuation, capitalization, or word usage

 

Multi-Media Presentation 

This is your chance to show your creativity and “sell” your cause!  Design a multi-media presentation (including images, graphics, music, etc.) that clarifies the information in your speech and compels your audience to take action.

Format Choices (If you have other ideas, ask Mrs. Oliveira).  

·         slideshow

·         video

·         PowerPoint

·         Prezi

Grading

*Each of the following bulleted requirements is worth ten points.*

·         Multimedia presentation includes an extensive variety (15 minimum) of images (pictures and other graphics including charts, graphs, maps, etc.) that clarify the information included in your essay.

OPTIONAL: Include music/sound that appropriately enhances the effect.

·         Multimedia presentation includes persuasive sentences to compel your audience to support your cause (could include facts/statistics, questions...do not just copy and paste entire sections of your paper).

·         Multi-media presentation includes a credits page citing web addresses for images and other graphics found online.

·         Speaker pronounces words clearly.

·         Speaker makes eye contact with audience throughout the presentation.

·         Speaker projects voice loudly enough to be heard.

·         Speaker uses pauses effectively (doesn’t rush).

·         Speaker demonstrates understanding of the topic (pronounces words correctly, explains ideas accurately, is able to answer basic questions).

·         Speaker appears well-rehearsed (presentation flows smoothly, speaker doesn’t stumble over words or forget parts to presentation, etc.)

·         Listener pays close attention to each presentation and does nothing to distract other audience members.

Persuasive Letter Reflection

Directions: Look at each question and write smooth paragraphs that answer the questions effectively.

Paragraph 1:
       1. Name one persuasive technique that really worked for you. Why did it work so well?
       2. Identify a problem you had in your writing. Name one thing you can do to change it.

Paragraph 2:
       3. Write a sentence or two that states a specific persuasive technique you used in your writing. Why did you choose that specific technique? How did it work? Would you use it again? What could you do to improve upon that technique? (You cannot say nothing.)

Paragraph 3:
        4. Think about your revision process (the way the paper SOUNDS). Did you spend enough time revising? How did it help you with your final draft? What specific areas in your writing did you have to revise? (You cannot say nothing.)
        5. Think about your editing process (the way the paper LOOKS). What is one area in editing you could work on? (You cannot say nothing.)

Persuasive Letter

The students have written a persuasive letter to their parent/guardian asking them for something. Students have developed their reasons, a thesis statement, a rough draft, and final draft. The final drafts of the letter are going home on Tuesday, 3/10/15. These letters are going home before they are graded for students to allow their parents to read the letter and assess the arguments. The directions for the parent's "homework" are as a follows:

Parent/Guardian Homework

• Read the letter.
• Put a check mark next to sentences that persuaded you well.
• Put an "x" next to sentences that did not have good arguments or did not persuade you well.
• Sign the bottom of the letter.
• Add comments or suggestions for your student (optional)

The final draft of the letter with parent markings and signature is due on Thursday, 3/12/15. Students will use their parent's feedback to write a reflection and develop their persuasive writing skills even further. 

**Students understand it is their responsibility to have the letter read and directions followed. 

**Please do not think you should purchase or do what your child is asking. This assignment will be graded solely on their persuasive elements, no matter if they get what they want.

Reading Class--Root Test

Root Test Quizlet

Persuasive Elements/Techniques Quiz

There will be a persuasive elements/techniques quiz on Wednesday, 3/11/15. There is a link to the study guide that was given to students below. Also, you will find a link to a quizlet with the terms that will be covered on the quiz. Students will also need to be able to identify the types of persuasion in example images and excerpts of writing.

Persuasive Quizlet

Persuasive Study Guide

Elements of Persuasive Writing

Thesis –a clear statement of your opinion. (When writing a thesis, think, “What do I want my readers to believe after reading my essay/letter?”)

Reasons—statements that show why your opinion is logical  (Because…)

Supporting Facts/Examples—details that further explain/support your reasons  (Prove it!)

Call to Action—What do you want your reader to DO in response to your thesis?

Next, we will analyze an example persuasive letter. We will find the above elements of persuasive writing and color code each part.

Persuasive Letter Model

Persuading Commercials

Pronoun Test

The pronoun test will be administered through Socrative online. Please use the link below to log-in. The room number is posted on the board. Enter your name as follows: Last Name, First Name.

Socrative


Once you finish the test, complete the writing prompt on the board. If you finish writing early, read your IDR book.