Persuasive Essay Writing Techniques

Persuasive Essays

• Persuasive essays aim to influence the reader's opinion or actions.
• They are used in various fields like commercials and editorials.
• Structure: introduction, body, conclusion (similar to expository essays)
• Key to success: selecting a well-argued topic, strong research, clear arguments.
• Writing process: topic selection, research, argument development, thesis statement, outline, body paragraph development (topic sentence, details, connection to thesis), introduction and conclusion, critical review by opposing viewpoint, proofreading.

Essay Writing Under Pressure

• Essays require a thesis statement (central argument).
• Effective thesis statement crucial for essay structure.
• Develop a basic outline using the thesis statement and supporting points.
• Each body paragraph includes: topic sentence, 3-6 supporting details and concluding sentence showing relationship to thesis.
• Essential steps: understand essay goal, thesis development, outline creation, body paragraph development, introduction and conclusion writing, proofreading.

Editing and Improving Existing Essays

• Improving content is more complex than correcting errors.
• Clear purpose, thesis, main points, sufficient details, well-organized points are all necessary.

Redundancy in Writing

• Redundancy: using unnecessary words or phrases.
• Examples: "six years of age", "three P.M. in the afternoon".
• Impact: weakens writing.
• Solutions: careful word choice, emphasis with vivid language, appropriate word count (focus on substance, not fluff).
• Strategies: Identify repeated phrases and replace them, use more concise language, avoid redundancy for emphasis.

Bibliographies and Citations

• Bibliographies: list sources used in research.
• Credibility, source identification, and acknowledgment of other authors are important.
• Types of Bibliographies:
  • Enumerative: lists all consulted sources.
  • Annotated: includes descriptions and evaluations of sources.
  • Working: shows sources consulted, evolving as research progresses.
• Citation Styles:
  • Chicago Manual of Style (history, humanities).
  • APA Style (psychology, social sciences).
  • MLA Style (English, modern languages, film studies).
• Basic info in citations: author, title, publication year.
• Unique formatting requirements per style.

Identifying Secondhand Information

• Recognize when an author uses third-party information.
• Crucial to check original sources to confirm accuracy and avoid misrepresentation or context.
• Using citations and source references is important.