Argumentative /

Persuasive Essay
 HELLO!
I am Wanda Kunene
I am here because I love to share language skills.
You can contact me at kunenewanda@gmail.com
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In this tutorial
• What is a persuasive essay?
• Persuasive skills
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Objectives
▰ To help learners grasp the basics of persuasive writing
and master the art of debate

▰ To help professionals sharpen their persuasive skills and

express opinions convincingly in any forum

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“ It’s not what you say, but
how you say it that
matters.’’

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What is a persuasive essay?

▰ A piece of writing
▰ Intended to convince readers to
▰ Believe in an idea or opinion and to
▰ Respond by taking action

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 Don’t mix it up!
Argumentative / persuasive writing is NOT
the same as discursive writing which aims
at presenting a balanced and objective
examination of a subject.
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 Main idea
The goal of persuasion is to:

• Convince, to make believe, to sway, to win over, to

sell an idea or an opinion

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 Written & spoken
Argumentative / persuasive skills are also
useful in spoken language, such as when
delivering a speech or when debating

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The art of persuasion: (ELP)

Effective persuasion appeals to:

▰ Ethos – ethics or beliefs of an audience

▰ Logos - logic and reason
▰ Pathos - emotion or feelings

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Putting it together
• Basic structure of a persuasive essay
• 3 components (IBC)
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E INTRODUCTION
Hook, thesis, stand
S
S BODY
Points & refutation / rebuttal
A
Y CONCLUSION
Call for action
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Introduction (HTS)
▰ Hook: first sentence – has to be thought provoking

▰ Thesis: second sentence – states the gist of your

argument and the purpose of your essay

▰ Stand: third sentence – states what your argument aims

to prove (either supports or opposes the motion)
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Types of hooks (SQSR)
▰ Shocking statement: “Smoking kills more people than HIV &
AIDS. ’’

▰ Quotation: It is often said that “the measure of a man is not

how he died, but how he lived.”

▰ Statistic: “Over 60% of the population lives below the

breadline.”

▰ Rhetorical question: who wants to live forever?

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 Main idea
• The purpose of the hook is to
grab the reader’s attention
• Just like a literal hooks grabs
the fish
• See how this presentation is
keeping you glued to your
device right now
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Use only one hook
Not all of them at once

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3
Putting it together
• A balanced introduction
• 3 components (HTS)
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 Introduction example: (HTS)
• [Hook] Should public school students be required
to wear uniforms? [Thesis] The issue of school
uniform has become a controversial subject, and
this essay aims to prove why we need school
uniforms. [Stand] I strongly believe that school
uniforms are the better choice because they are
convenient and promote unity.
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Body (PR)
▰ Points: the ideas you bring forth to support your
argument

▰ Refutation / rebuttal: crushing opposing ideas and

proving why they are misguided

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Putting it together
• A balanced point
• 3 components (SSS)
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 Statement or claim
P This is your central idea, topic sentence

O
Supporting details
I The reasons behind your idea, evidence

N
Summary sentence
T Emphasizes & closes the point
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 Subsequent points
Follow the same example for all your points.
Note that a statement without support is not
a point, but remains a “baseless” claim that
fails to presuade.
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 Developing an idea into a point:
statement + support + summary
• First and foremost, it goes without saying that school
uniforms are convenient for students (statement). From
personal experience, I can attest that school uniforms
eliminate the stress of mixing and matching outfits since
they are a ready set (support). Without doubt, uniforms
make students’ lives simpler and easier (summary
sentence).
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 Developing an idea into a point:
statement + support + summary
• Furthermore, school uniforms promote unity among
students (statement). Studies report that mandatory
school uniforms help make all the students look and
feel equal regardless of their financial status or social
class. (support). Indeed, school uniforms are the
smart choice as they break social barriers and blend
students as one (summary sentence).
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 How you say it
Makes all the difference. See the underlined
words and think of their the effect on ELP. Also
note the emphatic expressions in read. They all
work together to strengthen the argument –
making it compelling.
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Refutation / Rebuttal (CDR)

▰ Counter argument (perceived)

▰ Demolition of the counter argument
▰ Reaffirmation of your stand

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R Counter claim
E State opposing idea
F
U
T Demolition
A Crush, prove why it is wrong
T
I
O Reaffirmation
N Restate/emphasize your stand
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Putting it together
• A balanced refutation
• 3 components (CDR)
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 Refutation / rebuttal example (CDR)

However, opponents of mandatory uniforms erroneously

claim that students who wear school uniforms cannot
express their individuality (Counter argument). As matter of
fact, school uniforms are worn only during school hours,
leaving students with weekends and holidays to express their
individuality (Demolition). Therefore, I remain firmly rooted in
my stand that school is a place to learn, not to flaunt wealth
and fashion (Reaffirmation).

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 Main idea
• To refute is to prove that something is not valid or does
not hold water.
• We refute counter (opposing) ideas by “CRUSHING” and
“DEMOLISHING” them with our ideas.
• We expose the weaknesses of the opposing view in a
manner than strengthens our case.
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“ A good Sales
Representative is one
who can SELL ice to
Eskimos.’’

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Conclusion (ERA)
▰ Essence of your argument

▰ Reiterate (reinforce) your stand

▰ Action call: answer the “so what?” question

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C Essence
O Essence of your argument
N
C
L Reiteration
U Reinforce / cement your stand
S
I
O Action
N Call for action
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Putting it together
• A balanced conclusion
• 3 components (ERA)
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 Introduction example: (HTS)
• [Hook] Should public school students be required
to wear uniforms? [Thesis] The issue of school
uniform has become a controversial subject, and
this essay aims to prove why we need school
uniforms. [Stand] I strongly believe that school
uniforms are the better choice because they are
convenient and promote unity.
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 Developing an idea into a point:
statement + support + summary
• First and foremost, it goes without saying that school
uniforms are convenient for students (statement). From
personal experience, I can attest that school uniforms
eliminate the stress of mixing and matching outfits since
they are a ready set (support). Without doubt, uniforms
make students’ lives simpler and easier (summary
sentence).
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 Developing an idea into a point:
statement + support + summary
• Furthermore, school uniforms promote unity among
students (statement). Studies unanimously report that
mandatory school uniforms help make all the students
look and feel equal regardless of their financial status
or social class. (support). Indeed, school uniforms are
the smart choice as they break social barriers and
blend students as one (summary sentence).
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 Refutation / rebuttal example (CDR)

However, opponents of mandatory uniforms erroneously

claim that students who wear school uniforms cannot
express their individuality (Counter argument). As matter of
fact, school uniforms are worn only during school hours,
leaving students with weekends and holidays to express their
individuality (Demolition). Therefore, I remain firmly rooted in
my stand that school is a place to learn, not to flaunt wealth
and fashion (Reaffirmation).

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Conclusion Example
▰ In a nutshell, school uniforms are not just a
matter of preference, but a necessity (essence).
Therefore, I reiterate my stand that uniforms
should remain compulsory in school
(reiteration). So let us all stand up, save the
uniform and save the child! (action).

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“ People may FORGET
your name, but they will
REMEMBER your words.’’

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Types of support

Personal
experience Research Facts

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Examples of support
Personal experience Research Facts (general)
From personal Studies report that As matter of fact school
experience, I can attest mandatory school uniforms are worn only
that school uniforms uniforms help make all during school hours,
eliminate the stress of the students look and leaving students with
mixing and matching feel equal regardless of weekends and holidays
outfits since they are a their financial status or to express their
ready set. social class. individuality.

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7
Memory lane
• Tips to remember the content easily
• In 3 easy steps
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A game of 3s (essay)

Introduction Conclusion
Body

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A game of 3s (introduction)

Hook Thesis Stand

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A game of 3s (point)

Statement Summary
Support

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A game of 3s (rebuttal)

state DEMO REAFFIRM

COUNTER & your
argument crush stand
it

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A game of 3s (conclusion)

Essence Action
Reiteration

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“ It’s not WHAT you say,
but HOW you say it that
matters.’’

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 How to say it?
Makes all the difference. See the underlined
words and think of their the effect on ELP. Also
note the emphatic expressions in read. They all
work together to strengthen the argument –
making it compelling.
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Smooth operator
• Use transitional words & phrases
• Use emphatic expressions
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 Transitions
Use transitions to link ideas in a fluid manner
that makes reading your essay effortless ,
enjoyable and engaging.

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MAKE YOUR ESSAY FLOW

first second finally

however therefore moreover

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Argumentative language
Affirmative expressions Negative expressions

I firmly believe... I beg to differ…

It is my conviction… I think otherwise…

I am convinced that… I do not agree…

It is my strong belief that… I don't share that view…

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THANKS!
Any questions?

Please feel free to ask.

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