Persuasive Paragraphs Traffic Lights. Persuasion Persuade: To convince someone of something. Because we are focusing on writing persuasive paragraphs,

Persuasive Paragraphs

Persuasive ParagraphsTraffic LightsPersuasionPersuade: To convince someone of something.

Because we are focusing on writing persuasive paragraphs, the goal of our paragraph is going to be to persuade (or convince) someone of something.

The Importance of Having a Well-Structured ParagraphOrganization is what you do before you do something, so when you do it, its not all mixed up.-A.A. Milnea.k.a. Winnie the PoohWhat Do Traffic Lights Have to Do with Paragraphs?Green Light (Topic Sentence & Closing Sentence): Lets go! State your topic.

Yellow Light (Reason, Detail, or Fact): Slow down. Support your topic with good reasons, well-described details, or interesting facts.

Red Light (Example or Explanation): Stop! Give a supporting example or a relevant explanation to support your yellow light.

Organization Is Everything!Strong Persuasive Paragraph Pattern:Green: Bold topic sentence.Yellow: Reason, detail, or fact supporting green.Red: Example or explanation of yellow.Yellow: Reason, detail, or fact supporting green.Red: Example or explanation of yellow.Yellow: Reason, detail, or fact supporting green.Red: Example or explanation of yellow.Green: End by restating your topic!When Writing a Topic SentenceDont be kind of bold. Be bold.-William Zinsser

Bold in GreenRemember, your topic sentence should be a bold statement.

Your topic sentence is what you are trying to persuade people to believe.

Example of a Topic SentenceTopic: The Scottish Referendum

What bold statements could I make about the Scottish Referendum?

Examples:Scotland should break away from the United Kingdom.Scotland should not break away from the United Kingdom.

Topic SentenceChoose a bold statement that you would like to prove.My choice: Scotland should not break away from the United Kingdom.This is a bold statement. It is my topic sentence.

Reason, Detail, or FactA strong paragraph has three RDFs supporting its topic sentence.Topic sentence: Scotland should not break away from the United Kingdom.Three RDFs:Although Scotland has resources, there is no proof that these resources will be enough to support the country financially.If Scotland becomes independent, major banks will move into other parts of the UK to protect their own welfare, which would harm Scotlands economy.Finally, if Scotland becomes an independent country, it would need its own army, and that would be difficult to create.

Supporting RDFs with the two EsRDFs need to be supported by an explanation or an example to make it stronger.

1st RDF:Although Scotland has resources, there is no proof that these resources will be enough to support the country financially.

How can I support this statement? What example or explanation is there to prove this statement?Supporting RDFs with the two Es1st RDF:Although Scotland has resources, there is no proof that these resources will be enough to support the country financially.

Supporting Example/Explanation:In fact, Scotlands oil fieldsa major part of its economyhave already been decreasing in production and it is estimated that the oil supply will be depleted in 40 years.

Supporting RDFs with the two Es2nd RDF:If Scotland becomes independent, major banks will move into other parts of the UK to protect their own welfare, which would harm Scotlands economy.Supporting Example/Explanation:Major banks would move out of Scotland because they would not know how valuable Scotlands new currency would be, and the banks could potentially lose a lot of money.

Supporting RDFs with the two Es3rd RDF:Finally, if Scotland becomes an independent country, it would need its own army, and that would be difficult to create.

Supporting Example/Explanation:In order to create an army, you need a lot of resources, a lot of money, and a lot of people to recruit.

Bring It Home in theClosing SentenceWe need to end our paragraph by reminding our readers of the topic sentence. This means saying your topic again in different words.Topic Sentence: Scotland should not break away from the United Kingdom.Closing Sentence: The UK is an organization of countries that provides security and stability to its members and Scotland would be wise to remain in the United Kingdom.

Make an Outline Using an Accordion FoldTopic Sentence: Scotland should not break away from the United Kingdom.RDF: Although Scotland has resources, there is no proof that these resources will be enough to support the country financially.E: In fact, Scotlands oil fieldsa major part of its economyhave already been decreasing in production and it is estimated that the oil supply will be depleted in 40 years.RDF: If Scotland becomes independent, major banks will move into other parts of the UK to protect their own welfare, which would harm Scotlands economy.E: Major banks would move out of Scotland because they would not know how valuable Scotlands new currency would be, and the banks could potentially lose a lot of money.RDF: Finally, if Scotland becomes an independent country, it would need its own army, and that would be difficult to create.E: In order to create an army, you need a lot of resources, a lot of money, and a lot of people to recruit. Closing Sentence: The UK is an organization of countries that provides security and stability to its members and Scotland would be wise to remain in the United Kingdom. I Vote NoScotland should not break away from the United Kingdom. Although Scotland has resources, there is no proof that these resources will be enough to support the country financially. In fact, Scotlands oil fieldsa major part of its economyhave already been decreasing in production and it is estimated that the oil supply will be depleted in 40 years. If Scotland becomes independent, major banks will move into other parts of the UK to protect their own welfare, which would harm Scotlands economy. Major banks would move out of Scotland because they would not know how valuable Scotlands new currency would be, and the banks could potentially lose a lot of money. Finally, if Scotland becomes an independent country, it would need its own army, and that would be difficult to create. In order to create an army, you need a lot of resources, a lot of money, and a lot of people to recruit. The UK is an organization of countries that provides security and stability to its members and Scotland would be wise to remain in the United Kingdom.

Lets Try This Together!Topic 1: Would it be fun to be a young celebrity?

Your TurnIn teams, write a persuasive paragraph. Choose a topic from the topic list.