Writing a Hook and parts of a Persuasive

Writing a Hook and parts of a Persuasive Essay The Loch Ness Monster exists.

Persuasive writing follows a particular format: • INTRODUCTION with hook and thesis statement • BODY where the argument is developed • CONCLUSION where main points are summarized and reviewed

Writing the Thesis Statement • Your 1 st paragraph is the introduction. It should include: a hook, thesis statement, and three reasons (main focus points) • THREE Reasons/MAIN FOCUS POINTS • I believe fast food is harmful because it rapidly increases weight, causes high blood pressure, and leads to lethargy.

Thesis Statement I believe fast food has negative health effects. It includes: Your opinion, which is your position & The topic

The Introduction • This is your chance to introduce the topic and give brief background information about it. • You should start the first paragraph with a “hook” or “grabber” to catch the reader’s attention. • You will choose one or two of the following seven methods to include in your introduction.

Hook #1 • Open with a question. How many times have you eaten fast food this month?

Hook #2 • Opening with an Exaggeration or Outrageous Statement. • Fast food is killing America!

Hook #3 • Open with a Statistic or Fact • Thirty percent of the children in the survey ate fast food on any given day, and they ate about 187 calories a day more than those who did not eat fast food. These additional calories could account for an extra six pounds of weight gain per year, according to Ludwig.

Hook #4 • Opening with an Anecdote. An anecdote can provide an amusing and attention-getting opening if it is short and to the point. • My hands felt sticky after pulling open the doors to “Burger Hut”. The odor smelled of fried everything. I ordered Combo #2, and there was enough food to serve a small third world country on my tray. I left the place feeling like my stomach was mad at me.

Hook #5 • Opening with a strong statement: • Fast food consumption has risen 500 percent since 1970 and today pervades nearly every segment of society, including some public school cafeterias.

Hook # 6 • Opening with a Quotation: • University of Delaware professer Jayashree Pakhare states, “Advertising, including television ads, billboards, and other advertising, including toys in boxed meals, has had an effect upon children as never before. Children these days are growing up with low concern for their health and more concern for what tastes good. ”

Hook #7 • Opening with an unusual detail. • Did you know that a typical child needs 2, 000 calories for an entire day and Burger King’s Whopper with triple cheese has 1, 230 calories?

Now, you try… • Highlight your hook and label what kind of hook it is (Question, exaggeration…) • Write another hook at the top of your paper (don’t use the same type) • Put a star next to the hook you think is better

Turn to your “shoulder partner” • Exchange papers • Tell them which hook you like better • Share out (share hooks)- whole class • What did you learn from doing this activity?

YES or NO? • In persuasive writing, a writer takes a position FOR or AGAINST an issue • The writer writes to convince the reader to believe or do something.

Remembering the Hooks or Grabbers • • • Unusual detail Strong statement Quotation Anecdote Statistic or Fact Question • Exaggeration or Outrageous Statement

Try this… • Under • Some • Quilts • Are • Surprisingly • Quick • Elephants

Let’s Review: Creating a Thesis Statement • Choose 3 main focus points to discuss in your essay. These points will become the focus of three paragraphs in the body. Let’s use fast food as an example again. Fast food… • rapidly increases weight • causes high blood pressure • leads to lethargy

The Body • The body of the essay is where you develop your three main focus points of your thesis. Paragraph 2: is about reason #1 Paragraph 3: is about reason #2 Paragraph 4: is about reason #3

Conclusion • Restate your thesis. • End with… – A comment (Don’t make your body suffer!) – A question (Are you willing to risk your health? ) – A call to action (I highly recommend you consider your options the next time your faced with a decision about what to eat. )