Persuasive Essay Format

Intro:

*Immediately engage reader (attention getter)

• get the reader “in the ballpark”

*Establish context (topic of essay)

• usually 2-3 sentences narrowing down to the point of the paper
• cite your source with title and author (if using one source)

*Strong & complete thesis statement

Body:

*Begin paragraphs with a clear, concise topic sentence

• *Use concrete details (CD)
• these include facts or quotes
• cite sources when necessary (simplified: such as author’s last name & pg #)
• *Create insightful commentary to support concrete details (2-3 comments per CD)
• shoot for at least 2 CD per paragraph (+ commentary)

*Address a counter argument

• include a rebuttal defending your thesis (which includes CD and commentary)

Conclusion:
*Transition into summary of key points

*Restate thesis (say it another way!)

*Refer back to the attention getter and tie things up

*Answer “So what?”

• Leave reader feeling persuaded or at least challenged
• This personal comment can include a universal observation
  (a prediction), a call to action (a recommendation) or a scare
  (a veiled threat)

Suggested sentence starter for commentary:

“This shows that…” (eventually teach kids to eliminate it)

“This proves that…”

“This demonstrates that…”

Suggested sentence starters for counter:

“On the other hand, some people believe ______…”
“One may argue _________; however, _____…”

Suggested sentence starters for conclusion:

“We need to…”

“It’s our responsibility to …”

“It’s important to…”

“In order to______, we must…”

“It would be to our benefit to…”

Encourage:
Incorporate transitions
Use high-level vocab

Vary sentence patterns
Create a strong “voice”

        Show a logical argument throughout
Edit well

*The number of paragraphs and the organization of the essay will vary.