Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
REGION I
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF THE CITY OF BATAC

ACTIVITY SHEET IN ENGLISH 6

QUARTER 4, WEEKS 5-8

CONVINCE ME: Composing a Persuasive Essay

MELC: Compose a persuasive essay on a self-selected topic

EN6WC-IVb-2.2

Objectives:
1. Gain understanding on the writing process for persuasive essays.
2. Identify good persuasive writing prompts.
3. Compose persuasive essays for a magazine.

Prepared by:

JONAREX LAYUS MORELLA, EdD

Master Teacher II
Background Information
Convince Me: Composing a Persuasive Essay
Writing a persuasive essay is like being a lawyer arguing a case before a jury.
The writer takes a stand on an issue—either “for” or “against”—and builds the
strongest possible argument to win over the reader.
In a persuasive essay, it’s the writer’s job to convince the reader to accept a
particular point of view or take a specific action. Persuasive essays require good
research, awareness of the reader’s biases, and a solid understanding of both sides
of the issue. A good persuasive essay demonstrates not only why the writer’s opinion
is correct, but also why the opposing view is incorrect.
Persuasive writing is a fixture of modern life—found in advertising, newspaper
editorials, blogs, and political speeches. Persuasive writing assignments and test
prompts concern contemporary issues.
For example, your teachers are debating on whether or not to ban cellular
phone use in school. You will then write an essay convincing them to adopt your
position. In this persuasive writing prompt, the main purpose is not to inform, but to
persuade or convince an audience (your teachers) to think or act a certain way.

The Writing Process for Persuasive Essays

There are certain processes on how to write a persuasive essay. Here are
persuasive essay tips for each phase of the writing process.

I. Prewriting for the Persuasive Essay

The prewriting phase of writing a persuasive essay is extremely important. During
this phase, pupils should plan every aspect of the essay:
 Choose a position. Pupils should think about the issue and pick the side they
wish to advocate.
 Understand the audience. In order to write an effective persuasive essay, the
writer must understand the reader’s perspective. Is the reader undecided or
inclined to favor one side or the other?
 Do the research. A persuasive essay depends upon solid, convincing
evidence. Don’t rely on a single source. Pull information from multiple websites
and reference materials. Speak with community experts and teachers. Read
and take notes. There is no substitute for knowledge of both sides of the issue.
 Identify the most convincing evidence, as well as the key points for the
opposing view.
Organizing the Persuasive Essay: Outline and Structure
Next, create an outline. Organize the evidence to build the strongest possible
argument. If the teacher has specified an essay structure, incorporate it into the
outline. Typically, the persuasive essay comprises five or six paragraphs:

Persuasive Essay Outline

Introductory Paragraph
 Grab the reader’s attention by using a “hook.”
 Give an overview of the argument.
 Close with a thesis statement that reveals the position to be argued.
Body Paragraphs
 Each body paragraph should focus on one piece of evidence.
 Within each paragraph, provide sufficient supporting detail.

Opposing View Paragraph

 Describe and then refute the key points of the opposing view.

Concluding Paragraph
 Restate and reinforce the thesis and supporting evidence.

II. Drafting the Persuasive Essay

When writing the initial draft of a persuasive essay, consider the following suggestions:
 The introductory paragraph should have a strong “hook” that grabs the readers’
attention. Open with an unusual fact or statistic, a question or quotation, or an
emphatic statement.
Example: Driving while talking on a cellular phone, even hands-free, is the
equivalent of driving drunk.”
 The thesis statement should leave no doubts about the writer’s position.
 Each body paragraph should cover a separate point, and the sentences of each
paragraph should offer strong evidence in the form of facts, statistics, quotes from
experts, and real-life examples.

The Secret to Good Paragraph Writing

 Consider various ways to make the argument, including using an analogy, drawing
comparisons, or illustrating with hypothetical situation (e.g., what if, suppose
that…).
 Don’t assume the audience has in-depth knowledge of the issue. Define terms and
give background information.
 The concluding paragraph should summarize the most important evidence and
encourage the reader to adopt the position or take action. The closing sentence
can be a dramatic plea, a prediction that implies urgent action is needed, a question
that provokes readers to think seriously about the issue, or a recommendation that
gives readers specific ideas on what they can do.
III. Revising the Persuasive Essay
In the revision phase, pupils review, modify, and reorganize their work with the goal of
making it the best it can be. Keep these considerations in mind:
 Does the essay present a firm position on the issue, supported by relevant facts,
statistics, quotes, and examples?
 Does the essay open with an effective “hook” that intrigues readers and keeps
them reading?
 Does each paragraph offer compelling evidence focused on a single supporting
point?
 Is the opposing point of view presented and convincingly refuted?
 Is the sentence structure varied? Is the word choice precise? Do the transitions
between sentences and paragraphs help the reader’s understanding?
 Does the concluding paragraph convey the value of the writer’s position and urge
the reader to think and act?
IV. Editing the Persuasive Essay
Lastly, proofread and correct errors in grammar and mechanics, and edit to
improve style and clarity. Allowing your friends and parents read the essay helps you edit
with a fresh perspective.
Name:_____________________________________________ Date:____________
Grade/Section: ______________________________________ Score:___________

Activity 1: MIND TEASER

Directions: Read the following questions and identify the most
appropriate answer for each.

_______1. Which among the following is TRUE about a persuasive essay?

A. A persuasive essay entertains.
B. A persuasive essay destroys one’s reputation.
C. A persuasive essay informs about current trends.
D. A persuasive essay convinces readers to accept a point of view.
_______2. Persuasive essays are found in the following EXCEPT ONE. Which one
is it?
A. comic strips
B. blogs
C. newspaper editorials
D. political speeches
_______3. Which among the following is NOT a possible persuasive writing prompt?
A. Godmothered is a movie.
B. School break should be longer.
C. Pets should be allowed in schools.
D. Everyone should exercise everyday.
_______4. How many paragraphs does a persuasive essay usually consist?
A. 1-2 B. 3-4 C. 5-6 D. 7-8
_______5. Which among the following MUST NOT be considered in writing the
introductory paragraph?
A. Give an overview of the argument.
B. Grab the reader’s attention by using a “hook.”
C. Summarize all the points discussed in the body.
D. Close with a thesis statement that reveals the position to be argued.
_______6. Which among the following is NOT a part of the persuasive essay
outline?
A. editorial cartoon
B. concluding paragraph
C. introductory paragraph
D. opposing view paragraph
_______7. In what part of the persuasive essay do you need to restate and reinforce
the thesis and supporting evidence?
A. body paragraph
B. concluding paragraph
C. introductory paragraph
D. opposing view paragraph
_______8. What part of the persuasive essay requires you to escribe and then refute
the key points of the opposing view?
A. body paragraph
B. concluding paragraph
C. introductory paragraph
D. opposing view paragraph
_______9. Which among the following is NOT needed in crafting a persuasive
essay?
A. art materials
B. good research
C. awareness of the reader’s biases
D. a solid understanding of both sides of the issue
_______10. In the revision phase of writing a persuasive essay, which among the
following questions should NOT be asked by the writer?
A. Does the essay open with an effective “hook”?
B. Does the essay present a firm position on the issue?
C. Is the opposing point of view presented and convincingly refuted?
D. Does my essay contain more paragraphs than my classmates’ output?

Activity 2: WHICH IS WHICH

Directions: Write YES if the topic is a good persuasive writing

prompt. If not, write NO.

_______1. Cellular phones should never be used while driving.

_______2. All schools should implement bullying awareness programs.

_______3. Cinderella and Snow White are beautiful.

_______4. Video games can be educational.

_______5. Barrio life is better than city life.

_______6. Short hair is better than long hair.

_______7. The air is fresh.

_______8. Pupils should get paid for good grades.

_______9. School time should take place in the evening.

_______10. Kids should be able to vote for the president of the country.

Activity 3: PROBLEM SOLVER

Directions: Think of a problem in your barangay. What causes the
problem? What bad things happen because of it? What should be
done to fix the problem? As a concerned citizen, write a persuasive
essay noting the problem, suggesting a solution, and convincing your
barangay captain to take action.
Aim for the highest possible score by reviewing the analytic scoring rubric for
Activity 4. The last trait (magazine design) shall not be used for Activity 3.

Activity 4: WRITE IT RIGHT with 4As

Directions: Create a 4-page magazine that contains two
persuasive essays which revolve on the following topic:
Growing vegetables and raising animals at home are
better than playing video games.
Your essays can be presented in a form of advertisement, speech, blog, or
newspaper editorial. You may include pictures, diagrams, maps, timelines, or charts
to make your output creative. The magazine will be graded using the following analytic
scoring rubric:
Traits 4 3 2 1
Organization The introduction The The There is no
is introduction introduction clear
inviting, states includes the includes the introduction,
the goal goal or main structure, or
or thesis, and thesis and goal or conclusion.
provides provides thesis. Most
an overview of an overview of of the pieces
the issue. the of information
Information is issue. are
presented Information is presented in
in a logical order presented in a a logical
and logical order. A
maintains the order but does conclusion is
interest not included, but
of the audience. always it does
The maintain
 conclusion the interest of not clearly
strongly states the state a
a personal audience. A personal
opinion. conclusion opinion.
states a
personal
opinion.
Goal or There is one There is one A personal The personal
Thesis goal or goal or opinion opinion is not
thesis that thesis that is not clearly easily
strongly and states a stated. understood.
clearly states a personal There is little There is
personal opinion and reference little or no
opinion and identifies the to the issue. reference
identifies the issue. to the issue.
issue.
Reasons Three or more Three or more Two reasons Arguments are
and Support excellent reasons are are weak
reasons are stated, made but or missing.
stated with but the with weak Less than
good support. It arguments are arguments. two reasons
is somewhat are
evident that a lot weak in made.
of places.
thought and
research was
put into the
essay.
Attention to Argument Argument Argument Argument
Audience demonstrates demonstrates demonstrates does not
a clear a clear some seem to target
understanding understanding understandin any
of the potential of the g of the particular
audience and potential potential audience.
anticipates audience. audience.
counterargumen
ts.
Word Word choice is Word choice There is Word choice is
Choice creative and it enhances evidence of limited.
enhances the the argument. attention to
argument. word
choice.
Delivery Visuals are Visuals are Visuals are Visuals are
appealing, appealing related to not directly
highly relevant, and add the topic. related to the
and add support to the Delivery topic.
support to the argument. lacks some Delivery is not
argument. Delivery is fluency. fluent.
Delivery is fluent.
fluent, with an
 engaging flow of
speech.
Grammar, There are no There are few There are There are
Mechanics, errors in errors in several errors numerous
and Spelling grammar, grammar, in grammar, errors in
mechanics, mechanics, mechanics, grammar,
and/or spelling. and/or and/or mechanics,
spelling, but spelling. and/or
they do not spelling.
interfere
with
understanding.
Magazine All the design Most of the Some of the The design
Design elements are design design elements are
relevant to the elements are elements are not relevant to
theme of the relevant relevant to the thee of the
magazine. to the theme of the theme of magazine.
the magazine. the
magazine.
 Answer Key

Activity 1
1. D 6. A
2. A 7. B
3. A 8. D
4. C 9. A
5. C 10. D

Activity 2
1. YES 6. YES
2. YES 7. NO
3. NO 8. YES
4. YES 9. YES
5. YES 10. YES

Activity 3
Answers may vary.

Activity 4
Answers may vary.

References
Department of Education Curriculum and Instruction Strand. 2020. K to 12 Most
Essential Learning Competencies (MELC). pp. 137.

Vos, L. (2019). Persuasive Essay: The Ultimate Guide on Writing It. Retrieved from
https://tinyurl.com/Clorotea1.