Date post: | 19-Oct-2014 |
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By Ms. M. Hudson
Resurrection of Our Lord School
Persuasive Writing:The 5-Paragraph Essay
Persuasive essays
Are ideal for presenting opinions that require extensive support.
Should be considered when there are two or more supporting reasons.
Are often called argumentative essays.
In the 5-paragraph essay, there are three supporting reasons.
Where do I begin?
You begin the same way you did when considering just one paragraph.
The Writing Process
Let’s begin here.
Paragraph Components
In Persuasive Writing
PrewritingIf you cannot think of a
persuasive topic, make a list of issues that interest you.
Do not think about the list. Simply write. Jot down key words or draw pictures to help you generate a list of issues.
However, if you have a topic in mind, begin a list of pros and cons.
Prewriting Sample
Generating a list Using Pros & Cons –No School Uniforms
No School Uniforms
Banned Books
Violence in Television
Modified School Lunch
Abolish Standardized Tests
ProsUniforms limit
expression.Uniforms do not
guarantee safety.
ConsUniforms instill
discipline.Uniforms are
inexpensive.
Prewriting II: ResearchBefore you move to the second stage of the writing process, research your topic. Make sure there is enough reliable information to support a strong persuasive essay.
You can visit the local library, view online collections, contact experts, conduct interviews, and survey opinion.
If your research does not yield sufficient infor-mation, you should return to the initial pre-writing stage to find a new topic.
First DraftOnce you select a topic and identify your three supporting reasons, WRITE!
You should, though, begin with your body paragraphs – the paragraphs that contain your supporting reasons. Write those paragraphs first, making certain that each has all the components of effective paragraph writing.
You can return to your draft later to write the introductory and concluding paragraphs.
Paragraph Outline
In Persuasive Writing
Persuasive Outline at a Glance
I. Introductory Paragraph
II. 1st Supporting Reason
III. 2nd Supporting Reason
IV. 3rd Supporting Reason
V. Concluding Paragraph
I. Introductory Paragraph
Captures the reader’s attention – with a short story, an interesting fact or statistic.
B. Introduces the main idea of the essay(the position statement).
A transitional sentence that guides the reader from this paragraph to the next one.
II. 1st Supporting Reason (Body)
Includes your first supporting reason.
Uses evidence – expert opinion, statistic, fact,
example,
quotation – to support your first reason.
Other sentences that give details to support the
reason.
A transitional sentence that guides the reader from
this paragraph to the next one.
III. 2nd Supporting Reason (Body)
Includes your second supporting reason.
Uses evidence – expert opinion, statistic, fact,
example,
quotation – to support your first reason.
Other sentences that give details to support the
reason.
A transitional sentence that guides the reader from
this paragraph to the next one.
IV. 3rd Supporting Reason (Body)
Includes your third supporting reason.
Uses evidence – expert opinion, statistic, fact,
example,
quotation – to support your first reason.
Other sentences that give details to support the
reason.
A transitional sentence that guides the reader from
this paragraph to the next one.
V. Concluding Paragraph
Restates the main idea (position statement).
Leave the reader with an IMPRESSION – something that persuades; it may be a reminder of fact or a statement.
RevisionIn the third stage of the writing process, review draft
for content.
Do you have three supporting reasons?
Are the reasons strong and justified with valid and
varied evidence?
Is the evidence used related to the reason?
Are the words selected carefully and purposefully?
Is the sentence length varied?
Does the writing possess transitional words and
sentences?
Transitional Words & Phrases
afterbeforebecausealthoughnowthereforehoweverthough
above allaccording tofor examplefor instancethenfurthermorefirst, second,
thirdadditionally
nextconsequentlysubsequentlyas a resultas a matter of
factall in allin conclusionsince
ProofreadingIn the fourth stage of the writing process, edit writing for
basic grammar.
Is the first line of every paragraph indented?
Does every sentence begin with a capital letter?
Does each sentence end with a punctuation mark
appropriate for the type of sentence.
Are other punctuation marks used correctly – commas,
colons, semi-colons, dashes, apostrophes, etc.?
Do subjects agree with their verbs?
Is there a consistent verb tense throughout the writing?
Write Time! At this point in the lesson, you should have selected a topic or an issue and conducted research to determine its validity.
Now, it is time to begin the first draft.