Sample Outline

I.  Introduction


  1. Hook or attention grabber (Include a startling statistic, a powerful quotation, some thought-provoking information, or an anecdote.)

  2. Background information about the topic

  3. What is the controversy? (optional)

  4. Thesis statement (must be a complete sentence)

II.  First Topic Sentence to Support Your Position


    1. Support for topic sentence

      1. Elaboration of support

    2. Support for topic sentence

      1. Elaboration of support

    3. Support for topic sentence

      1. Elaboration of support

III.  Second Topic Sentence to Support Your Position


  1. Support for topic sentence

    1. Elaboration of support

  2. Support for topic sentence

    1. Elaboration of support

  3. Support for topic sentence

    1. Elaboration of support


IV.  Third Topic Sentence to Support Your Position


  1. Support for topic sentence

    1. Elaboration of support

  2. Support for topic sentence

    1. Elaboration of support

  3. Support for topic sentence

    1. Elaboration of support

V.  Conclusion


  1. Restate your thesis statement.

  2. Summarize the main points of your paper.

  3. Include a call to action to persuade others to adopt your viewpoint if possible. (optional)

  4. End with a powerful or thought-provoking idea. You could ask a question, have an insightful final thought about your topic, or add a quotation.

Student Sample


Persuasive Essay Plan in Chart Form
Introduction

People should limit how much TV they watch.
Main Reason #1

  • Watching too much TV harms people's health.           
 Main Reason #2

  • Watching too much TV makes people greedy.
 Main Reason #3

  • Watching too much TV changes how people think.           
Facts or Examples

  • Lack of exercise for adults 

  • Lack of exercise and fresh air for youth 

  • Too much junk food
 Facts or Examples

  • Must buy every expensive object advertised 

  • Must live in a fantasy with huge homes, furniture, cars, every gadget
     
  • Belief that a person can easily become rich
 Facts or Examples

  • Some scenes belong in R-rated movies 

  • Some scenes are very violent (x -rated movies). 

  • Sometimes women are portrayed unrealistically
Conclusion

  • Overall, TV shows influence people to be unhealthy, greedy, and unrealistic.


  Please contact your teacher if you have questions.