Parts of a Persuasive

Essay

ELEMENT DEFINITION

Topic The issue that is being discussed.

Claim The writer’s position on a problem/issue.

Position The writer’s opinion about a topic.

ThesisThe sentence that summarizes the

writer’s claim and position.

Arguments The reasons for the writer’s position.

Persuasive techniques

Ethos, pathos, logos

Counter arguments

Anticipates what the “other side” might say and answers possible objections with reasons and

evidence.

Plastic, Paper, or Cloth?We have a big decision to make. We can use

cloth, paper, or plastic bags. I choose cloth because paper uses trees, and plastic uses petroleum; so we should use cloth. Cloth bags are easy to take with you and use again and again. We need to keep our earth clean, so let’s use cloth. If you think that using cloth bags is too much work, remember that you’re hurting the earth when you choose to be lazy. Remember, recycle and reuse.

ELEMENTFrom the “Plastic, Paper, or Cloth”

paragraph:

Topic cloth, paper, or plastic bagsClaim Plastic and paper bags harm the earth

Position Using cloth bags is the right choice.

Thesis“I choose cloth because paper uses trees, and plastic uses petroleum; so we should

use cloth”

Arguments1. “paper uses trees, and plastic uses petroleum”2. “Cloth bags are easy to take with you and use again and

again”3. “We need to keep our earth clean, so let’s use cloth”

Persuasive techniques

Logos, pathos, ethos

Counter arguments

“If you think that using cloth bags is too much work, remember that you’re hurting the earth

when you choose to be lazy”

1. Introduction to the topica) Positionb) Claimc) Thesis

2. Argument 1a) Supporting detailb) Supporting detailc) Supporting detail

3. Argument 2a) Supporting detailb) Supporting detailc) Supporting detail

4. Argument 3a) Supporting detailb) Supporting detailc) Supporting detail

5. Conclusiona) Restating claim/positionb) Counter argument

Outlining1. Types of bags used while shopping

a) Should use cloth, not plastic or paper

b) Others bad c) “I choose cloth because paper

uses trees, and plastic uses petroleum; so we should use cloth.”

2. paper uses trees, and plastic uses petroleum

3. Cloth bags are easy to take with you and use again and again

4. We need to keep our earth clean, so let’s use cloth

5. If you think that using cloth bags is too much work, remember that you’re hurting the earth when you choose to be lazy.

a) Remember, recycle and reuse.

After reading the article with your group:• On one side of the

paper, make a chart and identify the following in your essay.

• On the other side of the paper, create an outline for your article.

ELEMENT IDENTIFIED IN ARTICLE

Topic

Claim

Thesis

Arguments

Persuasive techniques

Counter arguments

1. Introduction to the topica) Positionb) Claimc) Thesis

2. Argument 1a) Supporting detailb) Supporting detailc) Supporting detail

3. Argument 2a) Supporting detailb) Supporting detailc) Supporting detail

4. Argument 3a) Supporting detailb) Supporting detailc) Supporting detail

5. Conclusiona) Restating claim/positionb) Counter argument