Writing a Persuasive Essay

Writer takes a position for or against

Introduction Hook (grab the reader’s attention) Background information Thesis with a subject and opinion

Hook Opening sentence grabs the reader’s attention. Unusual detail Strong Statement Quotation Statistic Question

Thesis The first sentence in a body. This MUST HAVE a subject and opinion (commentary) for the paragraph. It does the same thing for a body paragraph that the thesis does for the whole essay.

The Body Three Paragraphs 1 Topic Sentence 2 Concrete Details (CD) 1 Commentary (CM) 1 Concluding Sentence

Topic Sentence The first sentence in a body. This MUST HAVE a subject and opinion (commentary) for the paragraph. It does the same thing for a body paragraph that the thesis does for the whole essay.

Concrete Detail Specific details that form the backbone or core of your body paragraphs. Concrete Detail can include facts, specifics, examples, descriptions, illustrations, support, proof, evidence, quotations, paraphrasing, or plot references.

Commentary Your OPINION or COMMENT about something; not concrete detail. Synonyms include opinion, insight, analysis, interpretation, inference, persona, response, feelings, evaluation, and reflection.

Formula For Persuasive Essay For every two sentences of Concrete Detail, you will need one sentence of Commentary. 2 Concrete Details + 1 Commentary

Concluding Sentence The LAST sentence in a body paragraph. It is ALL COMMENTARY. It does not repeat key words and it gives a finished feeling to the paragraph and/or provides a transition into the next paragraph.

Topic Sentence The first sentence in the paragraph. Veal calves that are raised commercially should be kept in a comfortable environment.

Concrete Detail Many veal calves are taken from their mothers when they are only a few days old. The calves are tied up by their necks in crates that are too narrow to allow them to turn around or lie down comfortably. What type of Concrete Details are these sentences?  A Fact.

Commentary These calves are prevented from running and playing and can only look out from their small pens and cry pitifully for their mothers.  This is a response/opinion.

Concluding Sentence Unfortunately, veal calves are not the only animals that suffer from this kind of confinement..

Put all the sentences together and you have a well-constructed paragraph. Veal calves that are raised commercially should be kept in a comfortable environment. Many veal calves are taken from their mothers when they are only a few days old. The calves are tied up by their necks in crates that are too narrow to allow them to turn around or lie down comfortably. These calves are prevented from running and playing and can only look out from their small pens and cry pitifully for their mothers. Unfortunately, veal calves are not the only animals that suffer from this kind of confinement.