PERSUASIVE WRITING

PRESENTER: JODIAN HARVEY

 THE PERSUASIVE ESSAY

• A PERSUASIVE ESSAY INVOLVES ADVOCACY OR PERSUASION. THE PURPOSE OF A

PERSUASIVE ESSAY IS TO PERSUADE/CONVINCE YOUR READERS OF THE
VALIDITY OF A CERTAIN VIEW YOU HOLD OF A SUBJECT MATTER. IT IS
INADEQUATE TO SIMPLY STATE YOUR OPINION; YOU NEED TO PRESENT FACTS
AND CREDIBLE RESOURCES IN ORDER TO SUPPORT YOUR POSITION ON A
SELECTED TOPIC. IN PRESENTING YOUR POSITION YOU MUST ALSO GIVE
CREDENCE TO THE OTHER SIDES OF THE ISSUE. HOWEVER, YOUR MAIN
INTENTION IS TO SUSTAIN YOUR ARGUMENT AND PROVE THAT IT IS SUPERIOR TO
OTHER ARGUMENTS.
 PERSUASIVE TECHNIQUES

There are various persuasive techniques which can be used to convince or persuade your
reader. These techniques include the following:
 Use of evidence  Use of analogy
 appeal to emotion  Use of contrast
 Use of rhetorical question  Use of repetition
 Direct personal appeal  Use of rhetorical question
 Use of emotive/loaded words  Use of reliable sources or authority
THE STEPS IN WRITING A PERSUASIVE ESSAY
THE PROCESS INVOLVES THE FOLLOWING STEPS:

• Analyzing the topic • Developing the thesis

• Gathering material • Creating an outline
• Documenting information • Drafting
• Revision and editing
 THE STRUCTURE OF AN ESSAY

• AN ESSAY CONSISTS OF THREE MAIN SECTIONS: INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH,

BODY PARAGRAPHS AND A CONCLUDING PARAGRAPH
 THE INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH

THE INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH IS AN EXTREMELY IMPORTANT PART OF A RESEARCH PAPER

AND SHOULD SERVE TWO (2) FUNCTIONS:
IT SHOULD GET THE READER’S INTEREST SO THAT HE OR SHE WILL WANT TO READ MORE.
IT SHOULD LET THE READER KNOW WHAT THE WRITING IS GOING TO BE ABOUT.
THE INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH HAS SIX BASIC COMPONENTS: HOOK, DEFINITION OF TERMS,
BACKGROUND INFORMATION, THESIS STATEMENT, SUPPORTING SENTENCES AND CLINCHER.

 
 HOOK

THE HOOK IS GENERALLY THE FIRST SENTENCE IN THE PARAGRAPH: IT IS THE

ATTENTION-GETTER. IT IS DESIGNED TO CAPTURE THE READER’S INTEREST SO
THAT HE/SHE WILL WANT TO CONTINUE READING. THE HOOK MAY BE EITHER A
SURPRISING FACT, A QUESTION, A QUOTATION, A PERSONAL EXAMPLE OR A JOKE.
THESE ARE SOME EXAMPLES:
I) “BEFORE THIS WEEK ENDS, ONE PERSON IN THIS ROOM WILL BE DEAD!”
II) “DO YOU KNOW THAT A PARROT CAN LIVE TO BE TWO HUNDRED YEARS OLD?”
 DEFINITION OF TERMS

IT IS ALWAYS USEFUL TO GIVE THE MEANING OF THE KEY WORDS IN YOUR TOPIC.
IN FORMULATING DEFINITIONS DO NOT BE LIMITED BY DICTIONARY DEFINITIONS
BUT INCLUDE YOUR OWN PERCEPTIONS; THIS MAKES YOUR DEFINITIONS
AUTHENTIC.
 BACKGROUND INFORMATION

BACKGROUND INFORMATION ADDS MEANING TO YOUR TOPIC. IT MAY INCLUDE

THE FOLLOWING:
• HISTORICAL INFORMATION
• THE GENERAL VIEW REGARDING THE TOPIC
• WHO/WHAT IS AFFECTED
 THESIS STATEMENT

THE THESIS STATEMENT IS A SENTENCE THAT STATES THE THREE POINTS THAT
WILL BE DISCUSSED IN THE THREE BODY PARAGRAPHS.
 SUPPORTING SENTENCES

THE SUPPORTING SENTENCES GENERALLY CONTAIN THE IDEAS WHICH SUPPORT/EXPAND THE
MAIN IDEA WHICH HAS BEEN STATED IN THE THESIS STATEMENT. THE THESIS STATEMENT MUST
BE SUPPORTED BY AT LEAST THREE (3) IDEAS/POINTS.
FOR EXAMPLE: CELL PHONES SHOULD BE BANNED FROM ALL CLASSROOMS BECAUSE OF THE
NEGATIVE IMPACT THEY HAVE ON THE LEARNING PROCESS
SUPPORTING IDEAS/POINTS:
1. STUDENTS ARE OFTEN DISTRACTED WHEN THEY TAKE A CELL PHONE INTO CLASS.
2. CELL PHONES OFTEN DISRUPT THE TEACHING PROCESS.
3. CELL PHONES ENCOURAGE OUR STUDENTS NOT TO THINK INDEPENDENTLY.
 SAMPLE INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH
To flog or not to flog. That is the question that is currently being asked by numerous parents,
psychologists and children’s advocates. The international save the children alliance defines
corporal punishment as “the use of physical force intended to cause some degree of pain or
discomfort for discipline, correction, and control, changing behavior or in the belief of
educating/bringing up the child.” It involves an adult hitting various parts of a child's body with a
hand, or with canes, paddles, yardsticks, belts, or other objects expected to cause pain and fear.
Corporal punishment is a common religious and cultural practice that has for centuries been used as
a means of disciplining children in the home and at school. But does this mean that corporal
punishment is right? Aren’t there in fact many traditional practices that need to be abolished? I
contend that corporal punishment should be prohibited because it is destructive to our children.
Corporal punishment physically harms children; it causes them to display antisocial behavior and
affects their emotional health.
 PARAGRAPH OF REFUTATION
IN THE PARAGRAPH OF REFUTATION THE OPPOSING VIEWS OR COUNTERARGUMENTS ARE PRESENTED AND ARE
REBUTTED BY YOUR ARGUMENTS.

SAMPLE PARAGRAPH OF REFUTATION

There are many who abide by the biblical saying “spare the rod and spoil the child.” (Proverbs 23:13,
14). They believe that a child who is not flogged will become undisciplined and unruly. However, isn’t
it a fact that king solomon, the author of the abovementioned scripture verses, had very rebellious,
disrespectful and aggressive children? Corporal punishment in his case was obviously ineffective.
Others claim that they were flogged as children and it did them no harm. However, flogging does harm
many individuals; it leaves permanent physical scars and many persons cannot lead productive lives
because of psychological damage such as depression and low self esteem. There are even those who
believe that corporal punishment teaches children to be obedient, upstanding and respectable citizens. If
this is so, why is it that so many children who are flogged become criminals and display antisocial
behavior?
  
THE CONCLUSION
THE CONCLUSION SUMMARIZES THE MAIN POINTS OF THE ESSAY. IT MAY ALSO BE NECESSARY, BASED ON
YOUR PREVIOUS DISCUSSION, TO HIGHLIGHT IMPLICATIONS AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS.

SAMPLE CONCLUDING PARAGRAPH

While it is important to discipline our children corporal punishment is not the right medium. Flogging has a
really negative impact on our children and should therefore be prohibited. It can leave permanent physical and
emotional scars and can cause children to display antisocial behavior. Corporal punishment is a model for
aggressive behavior and gives children the impression that it is acceptable to use violence to deal with conflict.
It causes children to be afraid and damages their self esteem. We love our children and would not knowingly
harm them therefore let us find an alternative form of discipline. Instead of using negative reinforcement try
positive reinforcement. Taking away privileges and implementing time out sessions can be effective means of
enforcing discipline. Let us teach our children that discipline does not have to include violence.
 OUTLINE OF A PERSUASIVE RESEARCH
PAPER

INTRODUCTION
• The hook
• Definition of terms
• Background information
• Thesis statement
• Supporting ideas
• The clincher
BODY
• A. Paragraph 1 (first supporting idea)
• Topic sentence
• Supporting detail
• Evidence
• Supporting detail
• Evidence
• Supporting detail
• Evidence
• Closing sentence
PARAGRAPH 2 (SECOND SUPPORTING IDEA)
• Topic sentence
• Supporting detail
• Evidence
• Supporting detail
• Evidence
• Supporting detail
• Evidence
• Closing sentence
PARAGRAPH 3 (THIRD SUPPORTING IDEA)
• Topic sentence
• Supporting detail
• Evidence
• Supporting detail
• Evidence
• Supporting detail
• Evidence
• Closing sentence
PARAGRAPH OF REFUTATION
• Counter arguments
• Supporting ideas/points which “fights” counter argument

CONCLUSION
• Statement reflecting back on thesis
• Restate main points
• Closing statement that provokes thought (optional)
 Sample Persuasive Research Paper Plan

Corporal Punishment – Discipline or Abuse?

To flog or not to flog. That is the question that is currently being asked by numerous parents,
psychologists and children’s advocates. The International Save the Children Alliance defines
corporal punishment as “the use of physical force intended to cause some degree of pain or
discomfort for discipline, correction, and control, changing behaviour or in the belief of
educating/bringing up the child.” It involves an adult hitting various parts of a child's body with a
hand, or with canes, paddles, yardsticks, belts, or other objects expected to cause pain and fear.
Corporal punishment is a common religious and cultural practice that has for centuries been used
as a means of disciplining children in the home and at school. But does this mean that corporal
punishment is right? Aren’t there in fact many traditional practices that need to be abolished? I
contend that corporal punishment should be prohibited because it is destructive to our children.
Corporal punishment physically harms children; it causes them
to display antisocial behaviour and affects their emotional health. It is clear that corporal
punishment has a negative impact on children and therefore is not the best form of discipline.
 PARAGRAPH TWO
• TOPIC SENTENCE: WHEN CHILDREN ARE FLOGGED IT CAUSES THEM PHYSICAL DAMAGE
WHICH MAY EVEN LEAD TO DEATH.
• SUPPORTING DETAIL 1: IN MANY CASES CHILDREN HAVE SERIOUS PHYSICAL INJURIES AS A
RESULT OF BEING FLOGGED.
• EVIDENCE: RESEARCH CONDUCTED BY THE CHILD ABUSE CENTER OF AMERICA IN 1999,
INDICATED THAT SEVERAL CHILDREN SUFFERED FROM PHYSICAL INJURIES ASSOCIATED WITH
CORPORAL PUNISHMENT. THE LIST OF INJURIES INCLUDED THE FOLLOWING: BURST
EARDRUMS, CONCUSSION, BLINDNESS, BRAIN DAMAGE, BROKEN BONES, DISLOCATED JOINTS
AND TORN MUSCLES.
• SUPPORTING DETAIL 2: CORPORAL PUNISHMENT IS A LEADING CAUSE OF CHILD DEATH.
• EVIDENCE: SHIFREL AND CONNOR (2008) REPORTED THE CASE OF NIXZMARY BROWN WHO
DIED FROM INJURIES RECEIVED FROM A STEPFATHER WHO REGULARLY BEAT HER.
• CLINCHER: DO YOU REALLY THINK THAT THE PHYSICAL DAMAGE THAT RESULTS FROM
FLOGGING IS WORTH IT?
 PARAGRAPH THREE
• TOPIC SENTENCE: CORPORAL PUNISHMENT CAN CAUSE CHILDREN TO DISPLAY ANTISOCIAL
BEHAVIOUR.
• SUPPORTING DETAIL 1: CHILDREN WHO ARE FLOGGED FREQUENTLY BECOME MORE
AGGRESSIVE TOWARDS THEIR PEERS AND FAMILY MEMBERS.
• EVIDENCE: GERSHOFF (2002) STATES THAT CORPORAL PUNISHMENT LEADS TO INCREASED
CHILD AGGRESSION AND ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOUR.
• SUPPORTING DETAIL 2: THERE IS A DIRECT CORRELATION BETWEEN CORPORAL PUNISHMENT
AND DELINQUENCY.
• EVIDENCE: MAURER AND WALLERSTEIN (1987) DISCOVERED THAT MANY CRIMINALS AND HIGH
SCHOOL DROPOUTS HAD BEEN FLOGGED AS CHILDREN.
• CLINCHER: DISCIPLINE IS NOT INTENDED TO TEACH CHILDREN THAT AGGRESSION AND
VIOLENCE IS ACCEPTABLE.
 PARAGRAPH FOUR
• TOPIC SENTENCE: FLOGGING CHILDREN HAS A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON THEIR EMOTIONAL HEALTH.
• SUPPORTING DETAIL 1: CHILDREN MAY SUFFER FROM DEPRESSION AND OTHER PSYCHOLOGICAL
AILMENTS AS A RESULT OF BEING FLOGGED.
• EVIDENCE: STRAUSS (2001) INDICATED THAT CHILDREN WHO ARE FLOGGED FREQUENTLY SUFFER
FROM PSYCHOLOGICAL DISEASES AS ADULTS. THESE DISEASES INCLUDE DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY
DISORDERS.
• SUPPORTING DETAIL 1: CORPORAL PUNISHMENT ENGENDERS FEAR AND SHAME IN CHILDREN AND
LEADS TO LOW SELF ESTEEM.
• EVIDENCE: GUP (2001), IN HIS NEWSPAPER ARTICLE, RECOUNTED A CHILDHOOD INCIDENT IN WHICH
HE WAS CANED IN SCHOOL. HE SAID THAT AFTER THE INCIDENT , “…I DID NOT SPEAK IN CLASS AT
ALL. MOSTLY, I TRIED TO BE INVISIBLE…”
• CLINCHER: WE DO NOT WANT OUR CHILDREN TO BECOME DEPRESSED OR TO THINK THAT THEY ARE
NOT WORTHWHILE.
 PARAGRAPH FIVE (PARAGRAPH OF REFUTATION)
THERE ARE MANY WHO ABIDE BY THE BIBLICAL SAYING “SPARE THE ROD AND SPOIL
THE CHILD.” (PROVERBS 23:13, 14). THEY BELIEVE THAT A CHILD WHO IS NOT FLOGGED
WILL BECOME UNDISCIPLINED AND UNRULY. HOWEVER, ISN’T IT A FACT THAT KING
SOLOMON, THE AUTHOR OF THE ABOVEMENTIONED SCRIPTURE VERSES, HAD VERY
REBELLIOUS, DISRESPECTFUL AND AGGRESSIVE CHILDREN? CORPORAL PUNISHMENT
IN HIS CASE WAS OBVIOUSLY INEFFECTIVE. OTHERS CLAIM THAT THEY WERE
FLOGGED AS CHILDREN AND IT DID THEM NO HARM. HOWEVER, FLOGGING DOES
HARM MANY INDIVIDUALS; IT LEAVES PERMANENT PHYSICAL SCARS AND MANY
PERSONS CANNOT LEAD PRODUCTIVE LIVES BECAUSE OF PSYCHOLOGICAL DAMAGE
SUCH AS DEPRESSION AND LOW SELF ESTEEM. THERE ARE EVEN THOSE WHO BELIEVE
THAT CORPORAL PUNISHMENT TEACHES CHILDREN TO BE OBEDIENT, UPSTANDING
AND RESPECTABLE CITIZENS . IF THIS IS SO, WHY IS IT THAT SO MANY CHILDREN WHO
ARE FLOGGED BECOME CRIMINALS AND DISPLAY ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOR?
 PARAGRAPH SIX (CONCLUSION)
WHILE IT IS IMPORTANT TO DISCIPLINE OUR CHILDREN CORPORAL PUNISHMENT IS NOT
THE RIGHT MEDIUM. FLOGGING HAS A REALLY NEGATIVE IMPACT ON OUR CHILDREN AND
SHOULD THEREFORE BE PROHIBITED. IT CAN LEAVE PERMANENT PHYSICAL AND
EMOTIONAL SCARS AND CAN CAUSE CHILDREN TO DISPLAY ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOUR.
CORPORAL PUNISHMENT IS A MODEL FOR AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOUR AND GIVES CHILDREN
THE IMPRESSION THAT IT IS ACCEPTABLE TO USE VIOLENCE TO DEAL WITH CONFLICT. IT
CAUSES CHILDREN TO BE AFRAID AND DAMAGES THEIR SELF ESTEEM. WE LOVE OUR
CHILDREN AND WOULD NOT KNOWINGLY HARM THEM THEREFORE LET US FIND AN
ALTERNATIVE FORM OF DISCIPLINE. INSTEAD OF USING NEGATIVE REINFORCEMENT TRY
POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT. TAKING AWAY PRIVILEGES AND IMPLEMENTING TIME OUT
SESSIONS CAN BE EFFECTIVE MEANS OF ENFORCING DISCIPLINE. LET US TEACH OUR
CHILDREN THAT DISCIPLINE DOES NOT HAVE TO INCLUDE VIOLENCE.
 POINTS TO NOTE

• The supporting details given in the research plan must be further developed in the research paper.
• In the sample plan only two (2) supporting details were given. However, in research plan to be
submitted you are required to identify three (3) supporting details.
• In the sample plan only one (1) piece of evidence was given per supporting detail. However, in order
to adequately support your point of view it is advisable to use no less than two (2) pieces of evidence.
• Rhetorical questions are persuasive devices which can be effectively used to strengthen your
argument.