1	Expository vs. Persuasion Expository writing has a narrow topic. stays focused on the main ideas. is elaborated using reasons, well-chosen and specific details, examples, and/or anecdotes to support ideas. includes information that is interesting, thoughtful, and necessary for the audience. is organized with an introduction, supporting paragraphs with main points and elaboration, and an effective conclusion. uses transitions to connect ideas. shows commitment to topic with voice and language appropriate for audience and purpose. uses specific words and phrases that help the reader understand ideas.
2	Expository vs. Persuasion Persuasive writing has a clear position and is focused on that position. has more than one argument to support a position. is elaborated by using reasons, well-chosen and specific details, examples, anecdotes, facts, and/or statistics as evidence to support arguments. is organized to make the best case for a position. anticipates and refutes the opposing position. begins with an opening, including a statement of position, and ending with an effective persuasive conclusion, such as a call for action. uses transitions to connect position, arguments, and evidence. shows commitment to position by writing in a voice appropriate for audience and purpose. use words, phrases, and persuasive strategies that urge or compel the reader to support a position.
3	Persuasive Writing In persuasive writing, a writer takes a position FOR or AGAINST an issue and writes to convince the reader to believe or do something.
4	Getting Ready - Purposes of persuasion Support a cause Urge people to action Promote change Refute a theory Arouse sympathy Stimulate interest Win agreement
5	Write to a Persuasive Prompt Many people have expressed concern about the starting time for high school. The school board has suggested that school begin two hours later and end two hours later. Take a position on this proposal, and write a multiple-paragraph letter to the school board to persuade them to agree with your position.
6	Remember Use what you’ve already learned about choosing a topic narrowing a topic organizing your ideas Pro/Con T-chart elaborating your ideas checking for conventions
7	Persuasive Strategies Expert testimony Inclusion of statistics Compromises or problem-solving Call to action Rhetorical questions Emotional appeal “House that Jack Built” Preponderance of evidence (more expository) Firm position Audience awareness Concession and rebuttal (or counter argument) Persuasive word choice
8	Definition -Concession Concession is when you acknowledge or recognize the opposing viewpoint, conceding something that has some merit. A reader of your essay is more likely to listen to you if you show you can see his/her point of view before you counter that argument.
9	Looking at the other side When you write a good argument (as you did in Take This, Take That!), it is important to look at the other side. Here is a form to help you write a concession and counter argument. Look at this student’s sample.
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11	Transitional Phrases for Looking at the Other Side It is true that…however…therefore… Certainly…but…in short… Admittedly…on the other hand…so… Of course…nevertheless…as a result… Obviously…on the contrary…finally… Sure…however…in addition…
12	Concessions from WASL
13	Concessions from WASL
14	Some Ways to Organize Your Persuasion Order of Importance “The House that Jack Built”
15	Order of Importance Look at the prompt on the next slide. List arguments on one side or the other. Try organizing the arguments two ways From most important to least important. From least important to most important. Which one seems to be the best fit for your audience? Why?
16	Persuasive Prompt Recently, a citizen’s group proposed a change to the rules for obtaining a driver’s license. The group has proposed that high school students have at least a “B” average in order to get a driver’s license. Take a position on this proposal. Write a letter to the editor of your local paper to persuade voters to agree with your position.
17	Remember this Nursery Rhyme? This is the house that Jack built. This is the malt That lay in the house that Jack built. This is the rat That ate the malt That lay in the house that Jack built. This is the cat That killed the rat That ate the malt That lay in the house that Jack built…
18	The House that Jack Built as an Effective Organizational Strategy Basically, this is about a ballooning cause and effect. Event A causes event B, which in turn causes event C, etc. This organizational strategy may be used for an entire essay or just a portion of it.
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20	The House that Jack Built as a Persuasive Strategy Look at a WASL sample using this strategy.
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23	Prompt Analysis T.A.P.M. A strategy to deconstruct a prompt and ensure that you’re on track in you writing. TOPIC What are you supposed to write about? AUDIENCE Whom is this addressed to? Tone / Voice your overall attitude toward your reader Want to be taken seriously, be effective? be consistent and respectful in all circumstances avoid slang expressions and informal word choice “How you say something can be just as meaningful as the content of what you say.”
24	Prompt Analysis PURPOSE What type of writing are you doing? Expository Explain something What are the organizational hallmarks of expository? Persuasive Take a stand and support your position persuasively What are the organizational hallmarks of persuasive? MODE What is the form in which you are going to write? Letter, memo, essay, email What writing conventions are associated with each? Not assessed, but helps track tone and voice
25	Persuasive Prompts There has been much discussion about changing the age that you can get a driver’s license. Some say it should be lowered from 16 to 14 and others say it should be raised to 18. In a letter to your state legislator, convince him or her why the legal driving age should be lowered, raised or stay the same. T.A.P.M.? Think about a TV program that you think should be cancelled. In a letter to the head of the TV network, use reasons to persuade him or her that this program should not be shown. T.A.P.M.?
26	Persuasive Prompts Recently the school board has been examining the school start times for middle and high school students. Some research suggests that students in grades 7 and above actually need more sleep and thus should start school later than they do now (8:30 or 9:00 a.m.) Write a letter to the school board where you agree or disagree with this position and persuade them with clear reasons. T.A.P.M.? Some people think that students in the United States should go to school longer in order to provide more instructional time like that found in other countries. This could involve lengthening the school day by an hour or adding additional days of school—maybe as much as a month. Write a letter to the state superintendent of schools persuading him/her why this is or is not a good idea. T.A.P.M.?
27	Persuasive Prompts Think about one change that you would like to make about your school. This should be a change that you think would be good for everyone in the school—students, teachers and other staff members. Write a letter to the principal and try to convince him or her to make the change you want. T.A.P.M.? Some critics of the “Just Say No” drug policy argue that this approach to the drug epidemic has failed. A more sensible approach, in their opinion, would be to legalize certain drugs, control and regulate the industry, and tackle the problem from this angle. Compose a letter to your Congressperson arguing for the policy to change or stay the same. T.A.P.M.?
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30	Resources The Washington OSPI Assessment web site has samples of scored anchor papers for both expository and persuasive. Take a few minutes to visit this site, review rubrics, scan the scored papers, and read the scorers’ comments. http://www.k12.wa.us/curriculuminstruct/writing/annotations/10gradAnnotations.aspx