Writing the Persuasive Essay s1

Persuasive Essay Outline

Introduction:

A. Get the reader’s attention by using a "hook."

B. Give some background information if necessary.

C. Thesis statement – states your position

I. First reason to support your position:

A. Transition and Topic sentence naming your point / reason

B. Details, explanation, examples that support your reason

• Many sentences

• Write only about this reason

• Every sentence should help the reader understand why this is a good reason to support your thesis

C. Clincher (mini conclusion for this point only)

II. Second reason to support your position (concession / refutation)

A. Topic sentence conceding and then refuting the opposing opinion “Some people might say ______; however, ______”

B. Details, explanation, examples that support your reason

• Many sentences

• Write only about this reason

• Every sentence should help the reader understand why this is a good reason to support your thesis

C. Clincher (mini conclusion for this point only)

Conclusion:

A. Restate thesis statement which includes summary of main points

B. Leave your reader with a Call to Action or your personal thought Transition Signals Transitions are words and phrases that connect ideas and show how they are related.

To m ark a new idea as an add i t io n t o what has b ee n said: Similarly, Also, Too, Besides, Furthermore, Further, Moreover, In addition,

To r e p e at an idea just s tat e d: In other words, That is, To repeat, Again,

To ill u s trat e an idea: For example, For instance, In particular, To illustrate, In this manner, Thus

To announce a co ntra s t , a change in d i r ec t io n: Yet, However, Still, Nevertheless, On the other hand, In contrast, Instead of, On the contrary, In spite of this,

T i m e : At once, At length, Immediately, At last, Meanwhile, In the meantime, Presently, At the same time, In the end, Thereafter,

To r es tat e an idea m o r e pr ecisely : To be exact, To be specific, To be precise, More specifically, More precisely,

To s h ow cause and effec t: As a result, For this reason, Therefore, Hence, Consequently, Accordingly,

Conclusion: In short, To conclude, In brief, On the whole, In summary, To sum up