Transitions & Cohension in the Persuasive Essay

See http://www.roanestate.edu/OWL/Connect.html for a list of transitions and for tips on how to effectively use them in your essay.

See http://www.eslbee.com/transitions_connectors_punctuation.htm for a quick review of transitions and their punctuation.

See http://eslbee.com/cgi-bin/quiztest.cgi?transitionsandconnectorsandpunctuation for a 10 question quiz on punctuation of transitions.

Resources for Persuasive Writing

ProCon.org

Issues & Controversies

Writing for Results

and Verbal Self-Defense

Another way to think of persuasive writing (and thinking) is verbal self-defense.  Much like other forms of self-defense such as karate and taekwondo, being good at it requires discipline, skill, and practice.

Being good at self-defense makes you more likely to come out on the winning side of a conflict.  It also makes you less likely to be attacked.

Resources for Persuasive Writing:
Persuasive Essay (Essayinfo.com)
Guide to Writing a Basic Essay 
50 Topics for Argumentative Writing

Sample Essays:
Television Watching
Euthanasia 
Cats 

Topics for Persusaive Writing
Persuasive Writing Prompts
Fun Persuasive Topics

Prove It!

You are a lawyer involved in the case spelled out below.  Your job is to read the facts, think about the facts, think outside the facts, and then develop a logical, well-supported case to prove the guilt or innocence of the accused.  We will not actually conduct the case in class, but your job is to spell out what you would research, what you would aim to find out, and how you would support your case.


The case:

The theft of $2 million has been reported by Bangor Savings Bank in Bangor, Maine.  The bank believes it was an inside job because no doors, windows, or locks were broken during this nighttime robbery.  They believe that whoever entered had a key and also had knowledge of the security camera and alarm system.  .  

The accused is Janet Con, a 32-year old former employee of the bank.  Evidence gathered at the bank included a security camera video that showed a shadowy, hat-wearing figure who seems to resemble Janet Con.  Additionally, a partial fingerprint of Ms. Con was found on the door to the vault.   


Create an outline for your case that looks something like this:

Janet Con is __________________________ (guilty/ innocent)  Choose one.

Issues to Investigate:

--Argument 1 and supporting details:

• We would investigate and aim to show . . .
• We would investigate and aim to show

--Argument 2 and supporting details:

--Argument 3 and supporting details

(The more arguments you can present,  and more more closely you are able to tie the details (evidence) with your case, the better chance you have of winning the case.  Be creative.  Think outside the box.  Leave no stone unturned.

Welcome Class of 2012!

Welcome to the 2011 - 2012 school year. My hope for each of you is that you can arrive in class with enthusiasm, persistence, and a sense of purpose. These qualities will carry you a long way down the road toward graduation -- and a successful life.

Like a lot of things in life, how much you get out of this course will be based on how much you put into it.  Bring your dreams, make plans, and use this course to help you move forward and make those dreams into reality.

This blog will be an important resource throughout the year. Please bookmark it on your browser so you can find your way back later. (Simply google "wirthy english" if using another computer.)

As part if our beginning of the year goal-setting process, you will be completing a practice Accuplacer exam. This exam is used by colleges after you have already been admitted to place you in classes and also to determine if you need to do any remedial work in English or mathematics.

Some students enter their senior year feeling like they really don't need much but a diploma. Taking a practice Accuplacer will help you find out if you are as ready as you think you are.

An useful resource that includes practice questions for the Accuplacer is at:
www.testprepreview.com/accuplacer_practice.htm

Senior year is a springboard to the rest of your life.  So get hopping!

Sample Outline for Future Essay

Template for Outline:

1. Brief introduction:  state your overall view of the future

2. Novel view of ___________ (Aspect A)

3. My view of ___________(Aspect A)

4. Novel view of _______ (Aspect B)

5. My view of _______ (Aspect B)

6. Novel view of _______ (Aspect C)

7. My view of _______ (Aspect C)

Sample Completed Outline:

1. Optimistic view of future, especially in terms of technology, leisure, and government.

2. Anthem view of technology in the future

--primitive technology

--fear of technology

--group control of innovations

3. My view of technology in the future

--advances in technology

--trust in technology

-- freedom for innovations

4. Anthem view of leisure in the future

--limited leisure choices

--limited time for leisure

5. My view of leisure in the future

--expanded leisure choices

--increased time for leisure

6. Anthem view of government in the future

--totalitarian government

--gov. maintains status quo

--leaders not elected

7. My view of government in the future

--democratic government

--gov. reflects changes in society

--leaders not elected

Loaded Words and Your Issue

Section 5 of your report requires you to:

(1) Explain how those on different sides of the issue talk about the issue differently.

(2) Identify loaded words and phrases used by each of the groups.

(3) Explain how this use of loaded words affects the dialogue between the two groups.

A color coded sample Section 5 is here (click link).

Steps to Write Section 5 include:

1. Brainstorm loaded words relating to your topic.  Indicate whether each has a positive or negative connotation.  + / -

2. Use Google News, Procon.org and Issues and Controversies to locate articles about your topic.

3. Skim the articles for loaded words and add them to your list.  You should have 10 words/phrases or more.

4. Write a draft of this section.

5. Double-check your draft with the rubric and checklist.

Instant Pie Charts

Create pie charts for your survey results using instantpiecharts.com

To transfer each pie chart from the site to a word document, simply copy and paste it.

Deconstructing Ads

1. Visit the Deconstruction Gallery and deconstruct some ads together with the class.

2. Complete your own ad deconstructions (see handout)

3. Create your own Counter Ad

• Sample Counter Ads
• websites where you can download cigarette ads

More Resources

• Classic cigarette ads

Resources for Freedom of Speech Issues

ProCon.org

Issues & Controversies

Merchants of Cool

The PBS Frontline documentary, Merchants of Cool, plus related materials can be viewed at:

hwww.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/cool/

Euphemisms, Loaded Words, & Persuasion

A euphemism is a word or phrase used in place of another word or phrase.  Often euphemisms are used in order to mislead, to confuse, or to neutralize the reaction of an audience.  

Loaded words are words used to engage the emotions of the reader or listener.  These are words that have strong connotations.  Some loaded words (especially the ones with positive connotations) are also euphemisms.

Using a thesaurus such as Thesaurus.com is one way to generate lists of words that have similar meanings but different connotations.

If you have used any loaded words or euphemisms in your bumper sticker, please explain this in your paragraph on wording in your critique.

Spoof Ads

spoof (noun)
1. a mocking imitation of someone or something, usually light and good-humored; lampoon or parody: The show was a spoof of college life.
2. a hoax; prank. --Dictionary.com

View the following groups of spoof ads at Adbusters.org and then complete the related thinksheet.

Tobacco
Big Mac Attack 

Absolut Craze

Environmental

Colors & Symbolism -- Campaign Bumper Stickers

Here are links that provide tips on symbolic meaning of different colors:

http://www.princetonol.com/groups/iad/lessons/middle/color2.htm

http://desktoppub.about.com/cs/color/a/symbolism.htm

http://crystal-cure.com/color-meanings.html

Finishing Touches: Title Page, Table of Contents, Media Projects, Presentations

1. Your project should include a standard title page.
2. Your table of contents should include titles and genres.  Page numbers are optional.
3. Media Projects and Presentations have separate rubrics.  Please ask for a copy.


A few resources for presentations include:

--Wordle.net (Creates word clouds that could be used for a cover or as part of a presentation)
--Taxedo.com  (Word clouds and more; a little more involved than Wordle.net)
--Prezi.com  (This is slideshow 2.0)