1. Persuasive Essay Format: Introduction
Fishing! a.k.a. HOOK OPENER
a. QUOTE – Famous person
b. QUESTION – Get the reader to think
c. FACT or STATISTIC – Did you know?
WHAT are we talking about here?
Also called the topic sentence.
WHO are you writing this for, and why would they care?
This is your audience.
Write a thesis that TAKES SIDES and identify at least 3 MAIN POINTS that prove your side.

2. (should be 3 paragraphs total)
Persuasive Essay Format:
BODY –
(should be 3 paragraphs total)
3 paragraphs:
Each one has a TOPIC SENTENCE.
Find several REASONS supporting thesis and write one paragraph on EACH ONE.
Support them with detailed EXAMPLES and EXPLANATIONS.

3. Supporting Arguments with Facts
Creating a successful persuasive essay requires that you use FACTS, not opinions. In order to write a convincing paper, you must first TAKE SIDES and then USE EVIDENCE.
Fact: Something that is TRUE. A fact is based on direct evidence, actual experience, or observation.
Opinion: Statement of BELIEF. It shows one’s feelings about a subject.

4. Read the two columns on your paper with a partner!
One side is FACT and the other OPINION. Which is which? Discuss how you know.

5. Here are a few examples of FACTS WITH SUPPORT:
Jessie loves to read. Her favorite authors are Beverly Clearly and Louis Sachar. She likes to read for at least an hour every night after dinner.
It is important to read to young children. Research shows that children who are read to from birth until they reach school age score significantly higher in all academic areas.
Note: It is important to make sure that your evidence SUPPORTS YOUR ARGUMENT clearly. Make sure they MAKE SENSE and FIT together.

6. Transitions
Transitional words are used to show HOW IDEAS ARE CONNECTED. Transitions take your reader FROM ONE THOUGHT TO ANOTHER. More importantly, if you don’t make connections between your ideas, the reader will probably insert their own thoughts – not always a good idea. In persuasive writing, it’s important that you LEAD the reader in the DIRECTION YOU WANT them to go – don’t allow them to make their own connections.
The following is a list of commonly used TRANSITIONS.

7. Common Transitions
and to sum up
but because
or in conclusion
while consequently
although first
unlike next
while sometimes
however surely
in other words on the other hand

8. Transitional words are very useful in persuasive writing because they help you show BOTH SIDES of the arguments.
Let’s say that you’ve just finished reading about the Iditarod Alaskan Dog Sled Race and want to use that race as a focus for your persuasive writing. In particular, you plan to focus on how some people think that the animals are treated cruelly.

9. Do you know what this is called?
How many of you have been in a discussion with someone and you remember saying, “Yeah, that’s true, but…”?
Do you know what this is called?

10. This is called a counter-argument
This is called a counter-argument. It’s the “other side” of the argument.
The writer’s acknowledgement that other people may not share the same opinion
You’ll need to tell your reader what the counter-argument is and prove why it shouldn’t matter.

11. EXAMPLES
“Animal rights groups say the Iditarod race is cruel to dogs and should be discontinued. Mushers, ON THE OTHER HAND, say their dogs are treated better than most animals and are bred to race.”
“A fast food company wouldn’t agree with the points in this essay. They would have lots of reasons why fast food is good. They may say…”it’s convenient” or “It’s fine if eaten in moderation.” These arguments just don’t hold up when you take all the facts into consideration!

12. EXAMPLES
Some may argue that students lack the responsibility to have drinks in class. This, however, is not true. Students drink soda in the cafeteria all the time, and rarely is there a spill. Also, there could be a compromise where students only bring in clear liquids. This would eliminate any stains if there was a spill.