COMPOSITION NO. 4: PERSUASIVE ESSAY A persuasive essay is an essay written to convince an audience to think in a certain to way or to take an action. A good persuasive essay presents arguments, shows evidence, and appeals responsibly to the emotions of its audience. Because different audiences respond to different arguments and varying emotional appeals, a persuasive essay must build its case forcefully and intelligently for its audience. Guidelines for Achievement A persuasive essay: • begins with a concise statement of position on an issue that will interest the audience. • presents its points clearly and logically. • supports its position with valid evidence and logical arguments (facts, statistics, examples, reasons, expert opinions) and responsible appeals to emotion. • addresses an audience whose views probably differ from the writer’s. • anticipates opposing arguments. • ends in a way that prompts readers to change their thinking or to take a certain course of action. What Issue Should I Write About? The point of a persuasive essay is to change your readers’ minds. If all your readers already agree with you about an issue or a debate resolution, then whom are you persuading? If you have not already been assigned a topic and wish to find one that hits a nerve, try any of these strategies: 1. Scan the editorial pages of your newspaper for a controversial issue such as a social or political problem that affects you or someone 2. Research some of the ethical dilemmas arising from technological or scientific advances such as genetic research. 3. Tune in to a radio talk show and list the gripes that callers have. Is there a caller to whom you would like to respond? 4. Conduct a class survey to find out what issues are of concern to your peers. Developing Thesis Statements Once you have chosen an issue, you must develop your position, or thesis statement. Developing your thesis statement right away will help you focus on your issue as you draft your essay. You should include your thesis statement in the introduction of your essay to let your readers know what issue you have chosen and what your position is. Narrow your position to one strong, clear statement incorporating as usual topic, purpose and method. One way to formulate your position and focus on an issue is to ask yourself the question “What should be done about it?” Keep revising your answer until you can state your conclusion in one sentence. Once you have formulated your thesis statement you are ready to begin developing the body of your paper. What Should I Include in My Essay? You should begin your essay by defining the debate resolution or issue you will address. Try to use facts examples, anecdotes, or statistics to show your readers what the issue entails and why it is important If you have chosen a controversial issue, summarize the controversy. Then state your position, and develop ...

1. COMPOSITION NO. 4: PERSUASIVE ESSAY
A persuasive essay is an essay written to convince an audience
to think in a certain to way or to take an
action. A good persuasive essay presents arguments, shows
evidence, and appeals responsibly to the
emotions of its audience. Because different audiences respond
to different arguments and varying
emotional appeals, a persuasive essay must build its case
forcefully and intelligently for its audience.
Guidelines for Achievement
A persuasive essay:
• begins with a concise statement of position on an issue that
will interest the audience.
• presents its points clearly and logically.
• supports its position with valid evidence and logical
arguments (facts, statistics,
examples, reasons, expert opinions) and responsible appeals to
emotion.
• addresses an audience whose views probably differ from the

2. writer’s.
• anticipates opposing arguments.
• ends in a way that prompts readers to change their thinking or
to take a certain course of
action.
What Issue Should I Write About?
The point of a persuasive essay is to change your readers’
minds. If all your readers already agree with
you about an issue or a debate resolution, then whom are you
persuading? If you have not already been
assigned a topic and wish to find one that hits a nerve, try any
of these strategies:
1. Scan the editorial pages of your newspaper for a
controversial issue such as a social or political
problem that affects you or someone
2. Research some of the ethical dilemmas arising from
technological or scientific advances such as
genetic research.
3. Tune in to a radio talk show and list the gripes that callers
have. Is there a caller to whom you would
like to respond?

3. 4. Conduct a class survey to find out what issues are of concern
to your peers.
Developing Thesis Statements
Once you have chosen an issue, you must develop your position,
or thesis statement. Developing your
thesis statement right away will help you focus on your issue as
you draft your essay. You should include
your thesis statement in the introduction of your essay to let
your readers know what issue you have
chosen and what your position is. Narrow your position to one
strong, clear statement incorporating as
usual topic, purpose and method. One way to formulate your
position and focus on an issue is to ask
yourself the question “What should be done about it?” Keep
revising your answer until you can state your
conclusion in one sentence.
Once you have formulated your thesis statement you are ready
to begin developing the body of your
paper.

4. What Should I Include in My Essay?
You should begin your essay by defining the debate resolution
or issue you will address. Try to use facts
examples, anecdotes, or statistics to show your readers what the
issue entails and why it is important If
you have chosen a controversial issue, summarize the
controversy. Then state your position, and develop
your supporting argument.
How Do I Develop My Argument?
Once you have stated your position, you must make a case for
it. As you build your argument, you should
provide logical proofs. You may also want to appeal to your
readers’ emotions: however, you should not
use such appeals in place of good arguments and you should not
stir up feelings that are harmful or
dangerous. The proportion of logic to emotion that you should
use will depend entirely on your audience,
your purpose and your subject. As you plan your argument,
consider the following:
Subject: Can you make your point by using valid arguments that
appeal to logic and at the same time
appeal responsibly to emotion? For example, effectively
mobilizing people to work toward ending

5. wrongful imprisonment requires valid arguments that are
logically convincing and emotionally
motivating. If you have chosen a controversial issue, you know
that the issue is probably charged with
emotion. Rather than focus on the emotional aspects of the
issue, you could probably win your readers’
confidence by basing your arguments on careful thinking and
facts, and by using emotional appeals only
sparingly, to indicate your concern over the issue.
Audience: Are you addressing scientists who expect to hear
hard evidence or an audience that is apathetic
about a serious problem? Consider your audience when you are
composing your arguments.
Purpose: Do you want readers to see something in a different
way or do you want to motivate readers to
take action? How urgent is your issue? The proportion of reason
to emotion should be tailored to your
particular purpose. Here are some tips to help you write valid
arguments that will appeal to both logic and
emotion:
Establish Common Ground. When you are addressing an

6. audience that disagrees with your thesis, search
for a common ground, or area of agreement. If you want to ban
smoking in restaurants and all other
public places in your town, and you are addressing an audience
of smokers, you might argue that the town
government has a responsibility to safeguard public health.
Since most readers would agree with this
statement, they might be more inclined to consider your
argument that smoking, as a public health hazard,
should be banned in public places.
Distinguish Facts from Opinions. Facts are statements that can
be proved or verified. When citing a fact
to prove a point, ask yourself: Is this fact accurate? Is it
relevant? Opinions are personal judgments. Do
not use opinions as the sole basis of your argument.
Argument Based on Opinion: Goat’s milk tastes better than
cow’s milk. [Taste is a matter of opinion or
personal preference]
Argument Based on Fact: Goat’s milk is easier to digest than
cow’s milk. [This fact can be verified.]

7. Use Statistics Accurately. Statistics are facts based on numbers.
Because statistics can be confusing,
double-check such information in more than one source. When
writing on a current topic, note the publi-
cation dates of your sources to be sure your statistics are up-to-
date. Be aware that the statistics you
choose not to include can alter your case. Advertisers often
manipulate statistics to make their point.
Build Credibility. Citing reliable sources gives your writing
validity. When quoting an expert, ask
yourself, “Does this person s knowledge help me prove my
point? Is this opinion unbiased?”
Set an Effective Tone and Convey a Confident Voice. Your
tone, or attitude toward your subject, can
help you to win readers’ respect. Tone is revealed through the
connotations of the words you choose and
through the care with which you develop your arguments. Voice
is the distinctive identity you reveal in
your writing. Establish a voice that shows you are confident,
reliable, and committed to your position.
Check your Logic. A valid argument must follow logically from

8. one step to another. If your readers
cannot follow your argument, they may not be persuaded. Map
out the steps of your argument before
writing. Check to make sure your essay has included all of
them.
Anticipate Opposing Arguments. You need to anticipate the
arguments that will be leveled against yours.
You can strengthen your case by acknowledging valid dissent or
by refuting invalid arguments. In the fol-
lowing excerpt, a professional writer clears the way for her
argument by conceding several points to the
opposition.
Use Responsible Appeals to Emotion. Another effective way to
persuade your audience is to try to stir
the heart as well as the mind. It is important to make such
appeals sparingly, so that they do not ignite
feelings that are unreasonable or harmful.
Evaluate Your Points. Find a way to emphasize the strongest
point of your argument. You may want to
devote more space to it. You can do this by using a memorable
image to illustrate it or to place it last in
your essay so that your readers will remember it. And have you
properly cited your sources? Note,

9. Shakespeare citations identify act, scene and lines, as illustrated
here, (1.2.123-135).
How Do I Revise My Persuasive Essay?: Checking Your
Performance
1. Does my essay contain a clear definition of my issue and a
statement of my position?
2. Have I presented my points clearly and logically? Have I
supported my points using valid evidence,
logical arguments, and making responsible appeals to emotion?
3. Do I acknowledge that my audience’s view is probably
different from my own?
4. Do I acknowledge valid opposing arguments or respond to
invalid ones?
5. Does my conclusion challenge readers to think in a new way
or to take action?
Notice how the following student-writer, develops argument
with anecdotes and logical reasoning, and

10. concludes with a call to action and a restatement of her thesis.
“The Coffee Cup Half Full”
Although many experts may say that to truly understand society
we must study its people, how
they live and make a living, their families, how they treat
others, what their values are, and what’s really
important to them, I think you can get the best view of today’s
society through the eyes of one who works
at a coffee shop. Ahhhhh, a coffeehouse. The modern soda
fountain. It has come a long way since the
days when beatniks were the prominent customers. Nowadays,
coffee cupping is almost as popular a
pastime as wine tasting, and coffee connoisseurs are willing to
pay top dollar for premium coffee beans.
Since I began work at Second Cup a few months ago, I have
learned a lot that I could never have learned
in school; not just how to make a cappuccino in under 90
seconds, or how to treat third degree burns from
an espresso machine, but I have learned valuable lessons about
mankind.
The people who come into the Second Cup where I work are
from all walks of life. Although you

11. may not believe that all types of people can afford a $4 latte or
$3 for a bottle of water, all classes of
society do pass through our doors each day, from the homeless
to the rich and famous. Most weekends, a
local homeless man comes in to buy a cup of coffee. He has
been in the area for years and is always polite
and friendly. Although I know that he spends his nights in a bus
shelter and wears the same brown
bathrobe from August to July, he always manages to pay for his
medium cup of coffee. Still others don’t
give him the respect he has earned; they wrinkle their noses, as
if he smells, (which he does not), and
quickly leave the store as if they can simply not choke down
one more sip of Earl Grey tea with him in
their presence. If only they could be a bit more compassionate,
and look past his matted hair and ragged
clothes, they would see a man much like themselves. A man
who was once a successful lawyer and proud
father, with two little girls and a wife. A man so full of sadness
and guilt after his wife and children are
killed in a car crash that he can no longer go on with his work.
With no family and no job, he was forced
to live on the streets.

12. In contrast to the less fortunate members of society, there are
those who like to think of
themselves as “the upper class” or the crème de a crème, and
expect to be treated as such. You can learn a
lot about people by observing how they treat others. Some
people treat Second Cup employees as if they
are lowly servants whose only purpose in life is to serve them a
double espresso and a café au lait. Others
treat us with respect and show no signs of an inferiority
complex.
A lot can also be learned about society by watching how people
treat children and their attitudes
towards their families. There was once a woman I observed who
was so impatient and self-centered that
after listening to a newborn baby cry for a mere 10 seconds she
came up to the cash and asked if I could
tell that “bloody brat to shut up.” She told me that she was a
teacher and had been forced to deal with “the
same sort of obnoxious child” at school that day. Thankfully,
she never came back. Then there is one
family who comes in every Sunday to buy hot chocolates for the
children and sit down together to share
some quality time. The importance of family is obviously a big
part of these people’s lives. Two middle-

13. aged women with Down Syndrome often come in together. Not
only are they best friends and roommates,
but they are also like a surrogate family; they take care of each
other. Still, some people’s behaviour
shows a genuine lack of concern or responsibility for others.
Washrooms and floors are often littered with
garbage that has been carelessly dropped. Many people have no
consideration, and apparently, no
conscience for a space that is not their own home. If they don’t
own it or have to put up with cleaning it,
they don’t care what happens.
In spite of this, I will always have faith that our society is still
actively progressing. There will
always be some individuals who are willing to take the time to
help others; the woman who stepped
behind the counter and called 911 when the boiler room was on
the verge of catching fire when the whole
store was filling with smoke, for example. Or the man who
always leaves us a two dollar tip. Society is
really about the everyday people that make up our city and can
often be reflected in your local coffee
shop.

14. Argumentative Essay Rubric
Criteria Level 1 (50-59%) Level 2 (60-69%) Level 3 (70-79%)
Level 4 (80-100%)
Reasoning:
(position stated,
directional statement)
-position (thesis) is
mechanically incorrect; the
position taken is ‘fact’ &
not arguable
-directional statement is
incomplete or non-existent
-unclear argument (thesis)
is stated
-directional statement is
unspecific, vague & may or
may not relate to thesis

15. -a clear argument (thesis) is
stated
-directional statement is
complete & related to thesis
-a
compelling
and arguable
position
(thesis) is
exceptionall
y stated
-directional
statement is
complete & offers
unique, compelling
arguments directly
related to thesis
Organization, Logic

16. & Analysis of ideas:
(use of supporting
evidence as
organizers)
- there are clear
inconsistencies related to
argument
- little/no evidence of
organization
-little/no no direct support
-logic is unclear, and does
not follow point, proof,
comment protocol; no
detail
- inconsistent development/
organization of ideas
-supporting evidence is
mostly inconsistent,

17. underdeveloped; evidence
mostly anecdotal & not
direct
- -logical development of
paragraph [point, proof,
comment] is inconsistently
followed (i.e. one element
missing); may or may not
have detail
-clear evidence of
organization of ideas
-relevant supporting
evidence exists, but is
sometimes inconsistent,
needs further development
or is unspecific at times
-logical development of
paragraph [protocol of

18. point, proof, comment] is
present, but may be
awkward or inconsistent at
times; usually has detail
-exceptional
evidence of
organization of ideas
-supporting evidence
is exceptional and
very well developed,
detailed, very
specific & consistent
throughout
-logical development
of paragraph
[protocol of point,
proof, comment]
exceptionally

19. followed; always has
exceptional detail
Style:
(Word Choice)
-formal Standard Canadian
English is not employed;
no clear use of persuasive
language & sentence
structure
-expression is lacking;
vocabulary is limited and
restricting or too confusing
- more than four grammar
errors
-formal Standard Canadian
English is inconsistently
employed;

20. use of persuasive language
and sentence structure is
inappropriate for audience
-expression is very limited;
vocabulary is either
colloquial or slangy,
attempts to be esoteric or
leads to confusion
-two to four grammar errors
-formal Standard Canadian
English is usually
employed; appropriate use
of persuasive language &
sentence structure
- style is generally correct;
some awkward sentences
do appear
- expression attempts to be

21. fresh and appealing
-vocabulary is striking but,
may be artificial at times
- one grammar error
-formal Standard
Canadian English is
always employed;
excellent use of
persuasive language
and sentence
structure
-expression is fresh
and appealing;
original or unusual
-phrasing adds to
meaning
- no grammar errors
Mechanics:

22. (essay protocol)
-does not follow essay
conventions
-inappropriate format; little
or no mechanics employed
-APA style not employed
or displays serious flaws &
errors
-inconsistently follows
essay conventions
–inconsistent and unclear
format; hastily written
composition
-APA style inconsistent
with several errors noted
- usually follows essay
conventions & protocol

23. - usually has a clear,
consistent format which
presents evidence of
rewriting
-APA style generally
correct
-always follows
essay conventions
and employs
exceptional structure
- clear & consistent
format suggest many
revisions & drafts
-APA style always
correct