The 5 Paragraph Persuasive Essay

1. The 5 Paragraph Persuasive Essay

2. First, you need a topic… • You will be a given a writing “prompt”, or topic. • Sometimes you will be given a choice of prompts. • You will also be told how much time you have and how long your essay needs to be.

3. What is the next step? • You need to consider and decide: • Purpose: This is a “persuasive” essay, so you are writing it to persuade others to think like you do. • Audience: Although your classmates are part of your audience, this is a writing assignment, and your teacher is among your audience. Use formal writing. • Format: You are writing the standard 5 paragraph persuasive essay.

4. Now, you must plan your essay WHAT?

5. Would you build a house without first having a plan? You need to have a plan to “build” your essay.

6. Make your plan I have my ideas, reasons, and research. What do I do now? • You need your… • Graphic organizer with your reasons and research • Rough Draft Planning Guide • Transfer the information from the graphic organizer to the Rough Draft Planning Guide. When transferring this information, remember to… • Use complete sentences • Use your own words and voice unless using a direct quote.

7. What is the structural design of my essay? • The introductionis your first paragraph. Make sure it includes a strong lead-in, your thesis statement telling your issue and side, as well as the three reasons that support your thesis. • Paragraph 2 contains your first reason (average reason) with specific facts and examples. • Paragraph 3 covers your second reason (weakest reason) with specific facts and examples. • Your third reason (your strongest reason supporting your topic/side) with its specific examples. • The conclusion where you restate your thesis and your 3 reasons with a strong, decisive closing statement. You also need to include your call to action here.

8. Some Dos and Don’ts Do… • have five paragraphs • include your three reasons to support your topic and side in the introduction • each of the three reasons should have its own paragraph • restate your three reasons in the conclusion • have a catchy title Don’t… • begin with “Hello, my name is ______ and I’m going to write about ______.” • use the word “I”. Instead of saying “I don’t think teens should be tried as adults,” say something like, “Teens should not be tried as adults.” • forget to use correct spelling and grammar • forget to include a bibliography or works cited page

9. Add these to make your essay even better • a great title • a thought-provoking introduction with a hook • three body paragraphs with good reasons and sound evidence to support your topic and side • transition words between paragraphs • a memorable conclusion • involve the audience with a “call to action”

10. What is a “hook”? • think about fishing • fish go after the hook that gets their attention • get the audience’s attention with an interesting hook • never say “Hello, this essay is about ________.” (boring) • to “hook” your audience, start your introduction with a(n)… • anecdote • quotation • shocking statistic

11. Now you are ready to write! • Rough draft: Once you have completed the Rough Draft Planning Guide, rewrite your rough draft on notebook paper. It does not have to be perfect. The main thing you want to do is get your ideas on paper in the proper essay format. You will have an opportunity to review and revise before handing in your final copy. • Revision: Now the real writing starts. Steven King says that you don’t start writing until you start revising. Look over your rough draft for errors, and also for what you can say better than before! Use a different color pencil or pen to mark errors so you will not forget to make corrections.

12. You are almost finished… • Final Draft: • The final copy MUST be neat. Use only one side of the paper. If hand-written, use your very best handwriting. • Before you hand in your essay,proofread it one last time to be sure it’s just the way you want it to be. • Make sure you make notes from your final copy to use during your oral presentation. You will NOT be allowed to use your paper during your presentation.

13. Oral Presentation • You MUST have notes for your oral presentation. You will NOT be able to use your essay during your oral presentation. • Oral presentations are expected to be between 3 and 5 minutes in length. • You need to be ready to present the day your essay is due.

14. Preparing for the Oral Presentation • Practice, practice, practice • At first, practice in front of a mirror. Then practice in front of your family and/or friends. • Time your presentation while you practice to make sure your presentation is within the 3-5 minute time limit. • Practice standing up straight, but not rigid, and projecting your voice. • If you practice, you will not be quite as nervous when you do it “for real”

15. Adapted from Texas TASP information on persuasive essays and brought to you by coolteacherz.More PowerPoint Shows are available oncoolteacherz.com