Planning a Persuasive Essay

When writing a persuasive essay, keep the following guidelines in mind:

  1. A good way to collect information for an essay is to use a table/chart: 

Support for one side of the issue (For the issue) Support for the other side of the issue (Against the issue)
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  

  1. Before writing a thesis statement, ensure that your position on the issue is clear to yourself. Do not argue for a "compromise" or a "solution" to both sides of an issue. Seldom is evidence or information readily available for this kind of endeavour.
  1. When you have a clear position, brainstorm three important sub-topics of your issue. Ask yourself for three reasons you believe this position to be accurate. Choose three aspects that contribute to the issue as a whole.

As you begin to plan your own persuasive essay, you might want to review the pages of this lesson again.  There is a LOT of helpful information here. In particular, go back to the first page of this lesson and re-read the difference between argument and persuasion, and consider how you might use these to support your opinions. 

You also might want to review the previous lesson to refresh your understanding of the characteristics of a good thesis statement.
You may find the following outlines helpful for writing persuasive essays.

Outline One - description


1. Introduction:  issue + your position on the issue + three sub-points
Consider:
  • Why is this issue significant?
  • How did this issue develop?
  • What do you want to accomplish? Define the issue.
2. Body Paragraphs 1, 2, 3:
  • Write topic sentences emphasizing the importance of your first, second, and third sub-topics to the issue.  Remember to use transitions so that your writing flows naturally from one paragraph to the next.
  • Discuss two or more pieces of evidence in each body paragraph to support this sub-topic of the issue or defend your opinion. 
  • Write clincher sentences that reinforce the importance of these sub-topics to the issue and brings this part of the discussion to a close.

3. Conclusion:
  • The conclusion is a possible solution to the problem.
  • Restate your sub-topics and their significance to your position regarding this issue. Returning the topic sentences jogs your reader's memory. This tells the reader the concluding statement will be deduced from the root of these three topic sentences. 
  • Emphasize the importance of your thesis: My position on this issue is important to society because.... End with an appeal to your audience about the positive or negative results your suggested action will have on society. 
  • Keep them thinking about your message. You might provide a real life example that your audience will understand. You might include a meaningful quotation to make your audience ponder your topic further. 

Outline One - format

I. Introduction 
a. Hook
b. Thesis statement
c. Reason #1
d. Reason #2
e. Reason #3
f. Concluding statement

II Body Paragraphs
Body Paragraph #1
a. Transition sentence
b. Reason #1
c. example/evidence #1
d. example/evidence #2
e. (example/evidence #3)
f. concluding sentence
Body Paragraph #2
a. Transition sentence
b. Reason #2
c. example/evidence #1
d. example/evidence #2
e. (example/evidence #3)
f. concluding sentence
Body Paragraph #3
a. Transition sentence
b. Reason #3
c. example/evidence #1
d. example/evidence #2
e. (example/evidence #3)
f. concluding sentence
III Conclusion

a. Transition sentence
b. restate thesis (in different words)
c. restate reasons (in different words)
d. clincher (tie it all together and finish strong)





    Outline Two - description
    1. Introduction:  Thesis: issue + your position on the issue + significance to the audience
    • Background: What preceded your position and/or what needs to be clarified?
    • How did this issue develop?
    • Define the issue.
    • Why is this issue significant?
    • What do you want to accomplish?
       

    2. Confirmation: What supports your position?

    3. Refutation: What challenges your position? And what are your counter-points?

    4. Conclusion: What are the benefits of accepting your position?



    Outline Two - format


    I. Introduction 
    a. hook
    b. how the issue developed
    d. why the issue is significant
    e. what you hope to accomplish
    f. thesis statement
    II Body Paragraphs
    Body Paragraph #1
    a. transition sentence
    b. evidence of support #1
    c. evidence of support #2
    d. (evidence of support #3)
    e. concluding sentence

    Body Paragraph #2
    a. transition sentence
    b. evidence of challenge and counterargument #1
    c. evidence of challenge and counterargument #2
    d. (evidence of challenge and counterargument #3)
    e. concluding sentence
    III Conclusion
    a. transition sentence
    b. benefit of accepting the position #1
    c. benefit of accepting the position #2
    d. benefit of accepting the position #3
    e. clincher (tie it all together and finish strong)



   Go to Assignment 2-4 and complete Section 2 now.
When you have completed all parts of Assignment 2-4,

    • be sure you have renamed your file (YOURNAME) la 9-2-4
    • upload the completed assignment into the Assignment 2-4 submission box on the next page
Check back in a few days to retrieve the marked assignment and review the feedback from your teacher.