THE PERSUASIVE ESSAY

INTRODUCTION

• Begin with an occasion/position statement to hook or grab your reader's attention:  An occasion/position statement is a sentence that introduces your reason for writing and states what you will prove in your essay.

• The occasion

• is the first part of the thesis statement

• introduces your reason for writing

• begins with words like when, since, after, because

• The position

• is the second part of the topic sentence

• states what you plan to prove or explain in your essay

• After writing your hook, write a general statement about your topic which will lead your reader to your third sentence: your thesis.

• End your introduction with a thesis statement.  A thesis statement states

• the topic and three points you are making about the topic. (You can have more points, but too many points may weaken your essay and overwhelm your readers.)

Example of an Introductory Paragraph

After reading about Charles Lindbergh's 1919 flight across the Atlantic, it clear to readers that although the pilot was sometimes called "Lucky Lindy," his accomplishment was not merely a feat of luck. His journey was much more than that. Lindbergh's successful flight was clearly due to extensive planning, courage, and his talent as a pilot.

BODY: The body of your essay is where you provide details to support each point of

             your thesis.

      First body paragraph

      Topic sentence explaining your first point

      First example to support your point

      Second example to support your point

      Third example to support your point

      Concluding sentence

      Second body paragraph

      Topic sentence with transitional expression and explanation of your second point

      First example to back your point

      Second example to back your point

      Third example to back your point

      Concluding sentence

      Third body paragraph

      Topic sentence with transitional expression and explanation of your third point

      First example to back your point

      Second example to back your point

      Third example to back your point

      Concluding sentence

      III. Conclusion

      Restate thesis statement (beginning with a signal word or phrase like clearly, in conclusion, it is evident that, etc. and then using synonyms)

      Summary of main points or reasons

      Personal comment or a call to action (look to the future)