1. Persuasive Essay Lesson 3
English II

2. BellRInger
Write at least 4 complete sentences in response to the following questions.
How important are first impressions? Do you think first impressions matter? Do you think first impressions are true to who a person is?

3. Today’s Objective
Create an introduction for a persuasive essay.

4. What should I have completed?
ALL columns in the KWL chart
TWO or more annotated, credible sources

5. Completed KWL Chart Know Want to Know Learn
The U.S. has 2 major parties—republican and democrat.
Our nation is very divided politically, but most people I know aren’t satisfied with what either party is accomplishing.
Both parties have very specific platforms.
Candidates seem to vote based on party affiliation rather than what is best in a given situation.
What evidence supports the benefits of a two-party political system?
What evidence indicates that a two-party system is not the most effective?
What approaches do other democratic countries use that might be more effective?
Why are there not more political parties in the U.S.?
What effects do 3rd parties have on elections?
This approach provides a system of checks and balances with a shift in power periodically that holds politicians accountable.
The two-party system leads to partisanship and does not encourage compromise. “Ingrained partisan differences prevent the performance of fundamental governmental duties” (“Two-Party System para 1).
The constitution does not mention parties.
No sources included information about foreign democracy.
No third party has ever successfully nominated an elected president.
Historically, 3rd party nominees have influenced elections on several occasions—whether that is a good or bad thing depends largely on how it affects the success of an individual’s preferred candidate.

6. Essay Introductions
Hook
Introduce Your Topic
Thesis

9. Introductions What I’ll be looking for:
Hook: 1-4 sentences
Introduction of Topic: 1-2 sentences
Thesis: 1-2 sentences
Example
A former president, upon his leaving office, gave a warning about the potential dangers of political parties and believed firmly that this approach to democracy would cause more harm than good for American politics (“Political Systems and Parties Overview” para 2). While it may seem inconceivable that one of our nation’s early leaders would hold such a bold point of view, the divided political state of the United States lends credibility to this bold assertion by our nation’s first president— George Washington. While many feel that the two-party system for democracy provides accountability and an method for checks and balances, many others feel that this approach to democracy lends itself to partisanship rather than politicians being true representatives of their constituents. Considering the failings of the two- party democracy to encourage cooperation or compromise, as well as the omission of parties as part of the founding of American democracy and decreasing party loyalty among members of the American public, it is apparent that the two-party system is not the most effective approach to democracy.

10. Hook
A former president, upon his leaving office, gave a warning about the potential dangers of political parties and believed firmly that this approach to democracy would cause more harm than good for American politics (“Political Systems and Parties Overview” para 2). While it may seem inconceivable that one of our nation’s early leaders would hold such a bold point of view, the divided political state of the United States lends credibility to this bold assertion by our nation’s first president—George Washington. While many feel that the two-party system for democracy provides accountability and an method for checks and balances, many others feel that this approach to democracy lends itself to partisanship rather than politicians being true representatives of their constituents. Considering the failings of the two-party democracy to encourage cooperation or compromise, as well as the omission of parties as part of the founding of American democracy and decreasing party loyalty among members of the American public, it is apparent that the two-party system is not the most effective approach to democracy.

11. Introduce the Topic
A former president, upon his leaving office, gave a warning about the potential dangers of political parties and believed firmly that this approach to democracy would cause more harm than good for American politics (“Political Systems and Parties Overview” para 2). While it may seem inconceivable that one of our nation’s early leaders would hold such a bold point of view, the divided political state of the United States lends credibility to this bold assertion by our nation’s first president—George Washington. While many feel that the two-party system for democracy provides accountability and an method for checks and balances, many others feel that this approach to democracy lends itself to partisanship rather than politicians being true representatives of their constituents. Considering the failings of the two-party democracy to encourage cooperation or compromise, as well as the omission of parties as part of the founding of American democracy and decreasing party loyalty among members of the American public, it is apparent that the two-party system is not the most effective approach to democracy.

12. Thesis
A former president, upon his leaving office, gave a warning about the potential dangers of political parties and believed firmly that this approach to democracy would cause more harm than good for American politics (“Political Systems and Parties Overview” para 2). While it may seem inconceivable that one of our nation’s early leaders would hold such a bold point of view, the divided political state of the United States lends credibility to this bold assertion by our nation’s first president—George Washington. While many feel that the two-party system for democracy provides accountability and an method for checks and balances, many others feel that this approach to democracy lends itself to partisanship rather than politicians being true representatives of their constituents. Considering the failings of the two-party democracy to encourage cooperation or compromise, as well as the omission of parties as part of the founding of American democracy and decreasing party loyalty among members of the American public, it is apparent that the two-party system is not the most effective approach to democracy.

13. Now it’s your turn! Draft your introduction using the HIT method.
If you get stuck, then please do NOT be afraid to ask for help!!!
If you finish, then bring your writing to Mrs. Thomas for review.