The great Debaters

Movie active
Scenes onhttp://tryingoutweb24ed.blogspot.com/
Aim:
This activity aims at inspiring and equipping EFL advanced students
to write persuasive essays.
Level:
High Intermediate to Advanced
Time:
75' to 100'

1. Discuss in pairs:
What is a persuasive essay?

Read and check your answers. Add points you didn't mention.
Persuasive writing, or the argument essay. holds hand of logical and
reason to convince people that one idea is more legitimate than
another one. It attempts to persuade the reader to adopt a certain point
of view or to take a particular action. The thesis statement needs to be
supported by strong and solid evidenceby stating facts, giving
logically argumented reasons, using examples, and quoting experts.

2. Watch the movie scene and answer the questions:

 How would you describe the scene?

 What are the similarities between a debate and a persuasive
writing?
 What are some steps you should follow when you debate or write
a persuasive essay?
3. Watch a second scene and try to draw some conclusions
based on it.
 What else do you need to do in order to plan an effective
persuasive essay?
Answer key
When planning a persuasive essay, follow these steps:
1- Choose your position, Which side of the issue are you going to
write bout? Where do you stand? Know the purpose of your essay.

2- Prepare yourself by researching your topic. A persuasive essay

must provide specific and convincing evidence. Often it is necessary
to go beyond your own knowledge and experience.

4- Stucture your essay.Figure out what evidence to include and in

what order you will present.

3- Read and be well informed about your topic. Use different media to
research and add your own knowledge of a topic, read thoroughly
about it.

4- Test your thesis statement. It has to be debatable. If you can think

of another thesis directly opposing your own, you've nailed it.

5- Support your position with evidence. Remember that your evidence

must appeal to reason.

6- Disprove the opposing argument. Understand the opposite

viewpoint of your position and then counter it by providing
contrasting evidence or by finding mistakes and inconsistencies in the
logic of the opposing argument.

7- Be courteous. Acknowledge the opposing point of view and state

yours politely.
 4. Watch a third scene and notice which different ways do the
debaters use to support their arguments:

( ) Facts
( ) Statistics
( ) Quotes
( ) Examples

Persuasive essays follow the following organization pattern.

 Introduction
 Assertion
 Concession or rebuttal
 Proof
 Conclusion
Click here for an example. Write your own essay now.Remember to
share it with friends and ask for comments and feedback.