Thursday, November 13, 2008

11/13/08

Today we started a five-paragraph persuasive essay. We talked about structure and we wrote an outline. We watched this PowerPoint presentation.

Structure of a five paragraph persuasive essay

Introduction (3-5 sentences)
• Hook: Grab the reader’s attention with a quote, scenario, question, vivid description, etc. Must be related to your topic. 1-2 sentences
• Thesis statement: Simply and clearly state your position on the issue. 1 sentence
• Three arguments. Choose three arguments you can use to convince your reader of your position. Briefly state these arguments here. 1-3 sentences

Paragraph 2 (5-8 sentences)
• Go back to paragraph one
• Find your first argument
• Write a paragraph about it
• Use specific examples to support your argument
• Write a transition sentence.

Paragraph 3 (5-8 sentences)
• Go back to paragraph one
• Find your second argument
• Write a paragraph about it
• Use specific examples to support your argument
• Write a transition sentence.

Paragraph 2 (5-8 sentences)
• Go back to paragraph one
• Find your third argument
• Write a paragraph about it
• Use specific examples to support your argument
• Write a transition sentence.

Conclusion (3-5 sentences)
• Summarize—restate your thesis statement and three arguments in different words
• Make a closing statement. Tie your closing statement back to your opening hook.


Outline, Persuasive Essay
Directions: Use the outline form below to organize your persuasive essay. Choose your topic and three arguments to support your opinion. Section I is for your introduction. Section II is for the body (one paragraph for each argument). Section III is for your conclusion.

Topic___________________________________________________________________

I. Introduction
a. Hook_______________________________________________________
b. Thesis statement______________________________________________
c. Argument #1_________________________________________________
d. Argument #2_________________________________________________
e. Argument #3_________________________________________________
II. Body
a. Argument #1_________________________________________________
i. Example #1____________________________________________
ii. Example #2____________________________________________
iii. Example #3____________________________________________
iv. Transition_____________________________________________
b. Argument #2_________________________________________________
i. Example #1____________________________________________
ii. Example #2____________________________________________
iii. Example #3____________________________________________
iv. Transition_____________________________________________
c. Argument #3_________________________________________________
i. Example #1____________________________________________
ii. Example #2____________________________________________
iii. Example #3____________________________________________
iv. Transition_____________________________________________
III. Conclusion
a. Restate thesis (different words)__________________________________
b. Restate arguments (different words)_______________________________
c. Clincher (tie it all together)______________________________________

We will be going to the computer lab tomorrow.

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