Persuade Me!

Parts of a Persuasive Essay

● Introduction = Hook + Thesis + Supporting Sentences
+ Closing Sentence
● Body Paragraphs = Topic Sentences (reasons) +
explanations + persuasive language
● Counterargument = show you understand the other
side, but you still think you’re correct (refutation)
● Conclusion = Topic Sentence + Thesis again + Closing
Sentence
Thesis in a Persuasive Essay
The thesis in a persuasive essay should:

1. Clearly state your opinion (one that people can agree

or disagree with)
2. Be specific - be very clear about what your topic is
3. Briefly state the reason for your opinion
4. Use persuasive language - use emotive language!
Body Paragraphs
● Each paragraph you write should be a well-argued
reason, backed up with examples and evidence
● You should use persuasive language in each body
paragraph, to ensure your audience is convinced, and
they believe in your convictions
● If possible, use the “power of three” - use three
adjectives or sentences to reinforce your point
Examples of the Rule of Three
● “There are multiple reasons for choosing a hybrid car,
including fuel efficiency, long-term cost effectiveness, and
benefits to the environment.”
● “The use of colour in this painting evokes joy, provokes
optimism, and creates hope for the viewer”
● “The use of a cylinder shaped foundation provides
strength, balance, and stability to the structure”
Emotive Language
● Emotive language causes the reader to feel emotional. It is very useful for
persuasive essays.
● For example, instead of calling a crowd of protesters “demonstrators” a
newspaper could choose to call them “rioters” or “activists”
● Or, a teacher could write a letter to a parent either saying “your child is
disruptive” vs “your child needs to be more aware of the needs of other
learners”
● The connotations around words cause use to react differently to the
same story.
Counterargument
● You need to show that you have considered the other
side of the argument, the opposing viewpoint, called
the counterargument. This is you acknowledging that
there is evidence to the contrary of your argument
● However, you must stick to your guns! You must offer a
refutation, or denial, of the counterargument, by
giving a reason why it is wrong.
Example of Counterargument and Refutation
● Some may consider Maus to be a corruption of a sacred topic - a comic
book that broaches the Holocaust can never be taken seriously. Any
young readers who pick up Maus will not be given a serious discussion of
the effects of the Holocaust, but a childish distortion of the truth. This is
incorrect, however, and a baseless claim. The compelling use of graphic
weight to highlight the atrocities - from the stark contrast of the dead
hanging Jews with the white background, to the fear in the eyes of the gas
chamber victims - will shock any reader into further investigation.
Furthermore, the testimony at the heart of Maus is from a Holocaust
survivor, and is first-hand. There can be no doubt that Maus is an
emotional journey into the darkness of the Holocaust, and one that does
justice to the horrors of World War 2.
Examples:
1. Homeless people in Tsukuba should be given free access
to public transportation, as well as temporary addresses,
so they can apply for jobs.
2. My uncle, a former skipper on a fishing boat, is the
perfect definition of what a hero should be, because of
his courage and willingness to help.
3. The use of smartphones, rather than laptops, in
classrooms should be encouraged by teachers so
education can be more accessible for all students and to
fit with the changing nature of education.
Persuasive language (from BBC Bitesize)
- Opinion: Present a point of view as if it is fact (usually you
would avoid this in academic writing, but it is fine in
persuasive writing)
- In my view, this is the best thing to have ever happened.
- Personal Pronouns: I, me, you, we...
- You cannot doubt the fact that this argument is true.
- Triples: using three points to support your points
- Safer streets means comfort, reassurance and peace of
mind for you, your family and your friends.
- Modality: Must/Must not; Can/Cannot
Persuasive Language continued
- Emotive language - vocabulary to make the audience/reader feel a
particular emotion.
- There are thousands of animals at the mercy of our selfishness and
disregard for kindness.
- Statistics and figures - factual data used in a persuasive way.
- 80% of people agreed that this would change their community for the better.
- Rhetorical question - a question which implies its own answer.
- Who doesn’t think doctors/nurses/firefighters are heroes?
- Hyperbole - a use of obvious exaggeration for rhetorical effect.
- It is simply out of this world - stunning!
Give it a try!
Go to

https://www.bbc.com/education/guides/zpr49j6/revision/2

And try out the persuasive language types we’ve looked at

here!
One Final Point...
● Spiegelman himself rejects a direction connection between “form and
content” because it made the Holocaust seem like a “political cartoon”
(Chute, 2006, p. 201-222)
● Is the graphic novel format truly fitting for this purpose? Or was it just
convenient for him, as a graphic novel artist?
● Do you think he would have more effectively and/or emotionally
communicated his father’s story if he’d used a different medium?