January 2012

 Give yourself time. Rushing things would only make it worse. Trying to cram an entire 5 paragraph persuasive essay within an hour is not a good idea.  Allow yourself enough time to brainstorm, write, and proofread. Put as much effort into your paper as you can in the time period you are given.

 What is the speaker's goal?  What are the main points?  How does the structure of the speech help the speaker to make the argument?  How does the speaker try to make you care?  How does the speaker use evidence?  What kinds of sources does the speaker use?

 Brainstorm. Before you begin, you have to come up with a foundation which you can base your entire paper on. It's best if you pick a topic which you know a lot about or feel strongly about. That way, you can defend your ideas better and make your paper sound a lot more convincing. The case that you are making needs to have enough depth and be worthy of support. You might want to consider opposing viewpoints to make it easier for you to realize how opposing people think.

 Topic: __________________________________________ Audience: ______________________  I. Introductory statement _________________________________________________________  _____________________________________________________________________________  A. Claim #1 _____________________________________________________________  _____________________________________________________________________________  a. Evidence #1 _____________________________________________________  _____________________________________________________________________________  a. Evidence #2 _____________________________________________________  _____________________________________________________________________________  B. Claim #2 _____________________________________________________________  _____________________________________________________________________________  b. Evidence #1 _____________________________________________________  _____________________________________________________________________________  b. Evidence #2 _____________________________________________________  _____________________________________________________________________________  II. Concluding Statement ________________________________________________________  _____________________________________________________________________________

 Dora – Your friend Dora has lost interest in school and her grades are suffering. As a result, she will be repeating ninth grade. She says she’ll eventually get her diploma on her own. Compose a logical argument convincing Dora to stay in school, with reasons why its to her benefit.

 First Paragraph: This has to be your paragraph that draws attention to your essay. Start with a hook, an attention grabber  Stating your views: Don't get too specific. Leave the details for later. Just lay out your main idea and opinion. The last sentence of your first paragraph should be a thesis statement.  Remember 1) dramatic description, 2) Curious question, 3) Surprising statement, and 4) Amazing action

 Make body paragraphs. At minimum, write three paragraphs for the body of the essay. Each paragraph should cover a main point to back up your argument and idea. Each paragraph should include three smaller points defending each larger point.

CATS ARE THE BEST PET  First sentence, Main point: Cats are easy to look after.  Second sentence, Minor point 1: They are very independent.  Third Sentence, Minor point 2: Cats are very clean and hygienic.  Fourth Sentence, Minor point 3: Cats are very intelligent.  Your last sentence should be a transition to the next paragraph to help keep reading smooth.

 Restate each of your points and end your paper with a well written sentence that leaves your reader with an imprint of the essay.  Make it something they wont forget.

 Always proofread  Have a friend read your paper and give feedback  Sometimes reading your paper out loud will make more sense to you  Read it over more than once!!

 In class introduction  Proofread for hw  Peer editing and discussion tomorrow  Wednesday is a new assignment (think of a PG rated movie that is the best ever - in your opinion of course )