{"id":2992,"date":"2018-10-06T01:36:19","date_gmt":"2018-10-06T08:36:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/patternbasedwriting.com\/elementary_writing_success\/?p=2992"},"modified":"2024-07-21T00:26:33","modified_gmt":"2024-07-21T07:26:33","slug":"tips-checklist-teaching-persuasive-opinion-argument-writing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/patternbasedwriting.com\/elementary_writing_success\/tips-checklist-teaching-persuasive-opinion-argument-writing\/","title":{"rendered":"Checklist for Successful Persuasive, Opinion, and Argument Writing"},"content":{"rendered":"

How do you teach young minds to write persuasive arguments? It\u2019s easy! You teach your students strategies, techniques, concepts, and vocabulary. Then your students prewrite, write, and rewrite. After your students finish writing, how do you know if your students have written an effective argument? Well, you can simply give them your opinion, or you can evaluate it using criteria.<\/p>\n

Ideally, the strategies, techniques, concepts, and vocabulary that you teach your students are the criteria that you use to evaluate their writing.<\/p>\n

Start with the end in mind. At a minimum, this checklist will ensure that all teachers and all writers start with the end in mind. In this checklist, I approach persuasion, opinion, and argument in many different ways: I point out the ideals, the goals, a few pitfalls to avoid, a few different approaches, a few techniques, a few strategies, a few models, and I use lots of important vocabulary words.<\/p>\n

By the way, if you teach beginning writers or struggling writers and you want to get results that make sense to your students, be sure to check out Pattern Based Writing: Quick & Easy Essay<\/a><\/strong><\/span>. It\u2019s the fastest, most effective way to teach students organized multi-paragraph essay writing\u2026 Guaranteed!<\/p>\n

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25 Techniques for Persuasive, Opinion, and Argument Writing<\/h2>\n

1.<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0 The writer clearly explains the issue, and the writer clearly states his or her position on the issue. The writer provides clear evidence supporting his or her position.<\/p>\n

2.<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0 The writer states his or her position in the form of a debatable thesis statement, and the writer places the thesis statement at the end of the introduction.<\/p>\n

3.<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0 Receptive or Neutral Audience<\/strong>: The writer states his or her position at the beginning and then argues for and proves the validity of that position.<\/p>\n

4.<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0 Hostile Audience:<\/strong> The writer clearly states the issue in the beginning but does not clearly state what position he or she is arguing for. Although the writer discusses both sides of the issue, the facts and evidence lead to one clear winner\u2014the arguer\u2019s position.<\/p>\n

5.<\/span>\u00a0<\/strong> The writer presents claims and reasons and provides support, evidence, and proof for those claims and reasons.<\/p>\n

6.<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0 The writer provides evidence for all claims and reasons: a) facts, b) statistics, c) quotes from authority, d) examples, e) incidents\/events, and f) personal experiences.<\/p>\n

7.<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0 The writer made identifiable claims: a) claims of fact, b) claims of definition, c) claims of value, d) claims of cause and effect, e) claims about solutions or policies.<\/p>\n

8.<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0 The writer\u2019s argument is logical, valid, and sound. The writer avoids all forms of logical fallacy. The writer treats the other side of the issue fairly by making concessions, but in the end, the writer is still able to demolish the other side of the argument.<\/p>\n\"pencil It\u2019s a Foundation, a Framework, and a Methodology for Teaching Writing! Check out Pattern Based Writing: Quick & Easy Essay to Learn More!<\/span><\/a>\n

9.<\/span>\u00a0<\/strong> The writer\u2019s conclusion contains a compelling call to action and\/or a powerful summary of the main points supporting the writer\u2019s position.<\/p>\n

10.<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span> The writer combines giving claims and reasons with whatever other organizational patterns help make the point clear: e.g., problem-solution, pro vs. con with a recommendation, cause-and-effect with a call to action, etc. The writer\u2019s goal is to create an effective argument, not follow a rigid formula.<\/p>\n

11.<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0 The writer maintains a persuasive focus. All roads lead to Rome.<\/p>\n

12.<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0 The writer effectively addresses and dismantles the other side of the argument. The writer predicts the opposing side\u2019s counterclaims and refutes them proving them invalid. The writer does not accidentally provide ammunition against his or her own argument by addressing the opposing side\u2019s argument but ineffectively refuting it. If the writer brings up the other side\u2019s argument, the writer effectively destroys it. This is similar to the lawyer\u2019s maxim, \u201cNever ask a question you don\u2019t already know the answer to.\u201d<\/p>\n

13.<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0 The writer is powerfully set upon persuading an audience of real people who see things differently or who are uninformed. The writer communicates his or her argument with sincerity of purpose.<\/p>\n

14.<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0 The writer skillfully uses Aristotle\u2019s Rhetorical Triangle: 1) appeals to logic\/reason, 2) appeals to emotion, and 3) appeals to ethics\/credibility\/character. In short, the writer uses persuasive evidence (facts, statistics, etc.), along with persuasive stories, anecdotes, language, and rhetorical devices.<\/p>\n

15.<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0 The writer skillfully structures his or her argument using Aristotle\u2019s Five-Step Persuasion Formula: 1) introduction, 2) narration\/background, 3) confirmation 4) refutation\/concession, 5) summation.<\/p>\n

16.<\/span>\u00a0<\/strong> The writer creates an effective argument structure using a persuasive argument formula: e.g., PPE: Point, Proof, Explanation.<\/p>\n

17.<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0 The writer effectively communicates benefits and consequences:<\/p>\n

a.<\/strong> <\/span>The reader sees how agreeing with the writer or taking the required action will benefit the reader.
\nb.<\/strong><\/span> The reader sees how disagreeing with the writer or failing to take action will cost the reader.<\/p>\n

18.<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0 The writer used heightened language or rhetorical devices to stir the emotions and persuade the reader: e.g., \u201cAsk not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.\u201d \u201cI have a dream.\u201d<\/p>\n

19.<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0 The writer ended with a memorable and quotable takeaway.<\/p>\n

20.<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0 The writer uses an appropriate and effective format for the specific persuasive genre: advertisement, poster, essay, etc.<\/p>\n

21.<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0 The writer used various elements of Robert Cialdini’s Six Principles of Influence<\/em>: 1) reciprocity, 2) commitment and consistency, 3) social proof, 4) liking, 5) authority, 6) scarcity.<\/p>\n\"pencil Need Help Teaching Beginning Writers or Struggling Writers? Check out Pattern Based Writing: Quick & Easy Essay!<\/span><\/a>\n

22.<\/span>\u00a0<\/strong> The writer\u2019s evidence is relevant and convincing. The evidence clearly connects to and supports the writer\u2019s claims and reasons.<\/p>\n

23.<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0 The writer knows the difference between opinions, arguable claims, reasons, reasoning, evidence, and proof. The writer uses them as tools to create and organize an effective and logical argument.<\/p>\n

24.<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0 The writer anticipates the other side\u2019s claims, objections, and counterclaims, and preemptively refutes them. The writer skillfully communicates what he or she is arguing for and against.<\/p>\n

25.<\/span>\u00a0<\/strong> The writer understands the difference between mere opinions and claims that are appropriate for academic argument (arguable or debatable claims).\u00a0Regardless of whether the writer has provided an opinion or an arguable claim, the writer provides reasons and support.<\/p>\n

a)<\/strong> <\/span>Opinion:<\/strong> Orange is my favorite color. It\u2019s definitely the best color.<\/p>\n

b)<\/strong> <\/span>Arguable Claim:<\/strong> Highway construction workers should be required to wear bright orange jumpsuits so that drivers will see them.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

How do you teach young minds to write persuasive arguments? It\u2019s easy! You teach your students strategies, techniques, concepts, and vocabulary. Then your students prewrite, write, and rewrite. After your students finish writing, how do you know if your students have written an effective argument? Well, you can simply give them your opinion, or you […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[457,456],"tags":[365,453,461,186,459,458,356,341,460],"class_list":["post-2992","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-genres","category-rubrics-and-checklists","tag-argument","tag-common-core","tag-elementary","tag-middle-school","tag-opinion","tag-persuasive-writing","tag-teaching-writing","tag-writing-checklists","tag-writing-tips"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/patternbasedwriting.com\/elementary_writing_success\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2992","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/patternbasedwriting.com\/elementary_writing_success\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/patternbasedwriting.com\/elementary_writing_success\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/patternbasedwriting.com\/elementary_writing_success\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/patternbasedwriting.com\/elementary_writing_success\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2992"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/patternbasedwriting.com\/elementary_writing_success\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2992\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5219,"href":"https:\/\/patternbasedwriting.com\/elementary_writing_success\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2992\/revisions\/5219"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/patternbasedwriting.com\/elementary_writing_success\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2992"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/patternbasedwriting.com\/elementary_writing_success\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2992"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/patternbasedwriting.com\/elementary_writing_success\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2992"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}