WRITING A PERSUASIVE ESSAY

I. Introduction  A. Start off with a general statement (Hook Sentence), NOT the thesis statement.  Example hook sentence: Getting revenge can become an obsession for many people. Some really crave that kind of closure when they’ve been wronged.

I. Introduction (cont.)  B. Transition Sentence: a sentence that connects the hook sentence to the text.  Example transition sentence: In the epic poem, Beowulf, vengeance is a common theme. Many of the characters desire to get even.

I. Introduction (cont.)  C. Background/Summary Sentences: Give some background information on the topic and explain instances of what you’re talking about.  Example background sentences: Beowulf wants to get even with Grendel for killing the Danes. Hrothgar wants revenge on Grendel’s mother for attacking his people. Grendel’s mother cannot believe her son was murdered and goes after who did it.

I. Introduction (cont.)  D. Thesis Statement: This is where you put it all together and state your side and your THREE REASONS to back up your side.  Example thesis statement: In Beowulf, the theme of vengeance is exemplified through the actions of Beowulf, Hrothgar, and Grendel’s mother.

Introduction Paragraph (all together) Getting revenge can become an obsession for many people. Some really crave that kind of closure when they have been wronged. In the epic poem, Beowulf, vengeance is a common theme. Many of the characters desire to get even. Beowulf wants to get even with Grendel for killing the Danes. Hrothgar wants revenge on Grendel’s mother for attacking the Danes. Grendel’s mother cannot believe her son was murdered and goes after who did it. In Beowulf, the theme of vengeance is exemplified through the actions of Beowulf, Hrothgar, and Grendel’s mother.

II. Body Paragraphs  A. Topic Sentence: the topic of the paragraph. This is the first reason you mentioned in your thesis statement.  You must stay in the order you presented in that thesis statement.  Use a transition word or phrase to start it off (First/The first reason why/One reason why)  Example topic sentence: First, Beowulf is a character who regularly seeks vengeance in the poem.

II. Body Paragraphs (cont.)  B. Explanation of topic sentence: Explain what you meant with the topic sentence (take it a step further)  Example explanation sentence: He wants revenge against Grendel for attacking the Danish people.

II. Body Paragraphs (cont.)  C. Introduction of the quote from the text: All body paragraphs must include a quote from the text.  You must introduce the quote, however. You can’t just puke it into the paragraph.  Example introduction-of-quote sentence: When he is preparing to fight Grendel, he makes a formal boast, promising the Danes he will get even for them.

II. Body Paragraphs (cont.)  D. Quotation From Text: You include a quote from the text, but you must LEAD IT IN with a short phrase.  The quote must have quotation marks around it.  Make sure you have the parenthetical citation at the end of each quote, otherwise it’s PLAGERISM.  If you use more than one line, use the slash symbol ( / ) to separate the lines.  Example quotation sentence: Beowulf promised, “I meant to perform to the uttermost/what your people wanted or perish in the attempt,/in the fiend’s clutches” (lines ).

II. Body Paragraphs (cont.)  E. Explanation of Quote: You must explain the quote. You CANNOT just put the quote in the paragraph and leave it unexplained. Otherwise, it does not prove your point and your side at all.  Example explanation sentence: This text shows, he is getting revenge against Grendel for the Danes. The fiend he is talking about is Grendel. This is the part in the poem when he is about to go into the battle.

II. Body Paragraphs (cont.)  F. Closing Sentence: This sums up the paragraph and wraps up this topic/reason.  Example of closing sentence: Beowulf needs to get even for the people of Denmark.

Body Paragraph (all together) First, Beowulf is a character who regularly seeks vengeance in the poem. He wants revenge against Grendel for attacking the Danes. When he is preparing to fight Grendel, he makes a formal boast, promising the Danes he will get even for them. Beowulf promised, “I meant to perform to the uttermost/what you people wanted or perish in the attempt,/in the fiend’s clutches” (lines ). This text shows he is getting even revenge against Grendel for he Danish people no matter what. The fiend is Grendel, and this is when Beowulf is about to battle him. Beowulf needs to get even for the people of Denmark.

III. Conclusion Paragraph  A. Reworded Thesis Statement: In this paragraph, the thesis statement comes first, but reword it so it doesn’t sound boring.  Example reworded thesis: Beowulf, Hrothgar, and Grendel’s mother all want revenge.

III. Conclusion Paragraph  B. Summary sentence of First Body Paragraph: Write one sentence which summarizes what was in Body Paragraph #1.  Example summary sentence(s) #1: Beowulf stands up to Grendel to help out Danes and get vengeance for them. He completely succeeds.

III. Conclusion Paragraph  C. Summary sentence of Second Body Paragraph: Write one sentence which summarizes what was in Body Paragraph #2.  Example summary sentence(s) #2: Hrothgar is out to get Grendel’s mother for what she did. His people need protection.

III. Conclusion Paragraph  D. Summary sentence of Third Body Paragraph: Write one sentence which summarizes what was in Body Paragraph #3.  Example summary sentence(s) #3: Grendel’s mother tries to kill Beowulf in anger over the death of her son.

III. Conclusion Paragraph  E. Closing Sentence/Final Statement: Wrap up the entire essay with a statement to send your reader off.  Example final statement: Many people want to get even with someone at some point in their life. The characters in Beowulf are no different.

Conclusion Paragraph (all together) Beowulf, Hrothgar, and Grendel’s mother all want revenge. Beowulf stands up to Grendel to help out the Danes. He completely succeeds. Hrothgar is out to get Grendel’s mother for what she did. His people need protection. Grendel’s mother tries to kill Beowulf in anger over the death of her son. Many people want to get even with someone at some point in their life. The characters in Beowulf are no different.