English 0900: Basic Composition II

Instructor: Suzanne Brown

Essay #3Argumentative/Persuasive Essay

Write a persuasive essay on the following prompt: “Argue either in favor of or against snitching, drawing upon the evidence in the essays of Robert Phansalkar, Bill Maxwell, and/or Alexandra Natapoff. You may want to quote directly from any of the three essays or paraphrase their arguments.” Be sure to follow these steps:

1.  Complete prewriting to generate ideas (either brainstorming, concept mapping, freewriting, journaling, or asking questions).

2.  Create an outline.

a.  Come up with a thesis statement that states your narrowed subject and your position.

b.  Decide on your support, using three or more methods of persuasion (providing facts, referring to an authority, giving examples, predicting the consequences, and/or answering the opposition).

i.  When you use information from a source, name the author, the title of the work, and the publication/Web site.

c.  Put your support in order of importance.

d.  Write topic sentences for your body paragraphs.

e.  Choose a strategy for your conclusion.

3.  Write a first draft from your outline.

a.  Put your thesis statement in boldface.

b.  Underline the topic sentences in your body paragraphs.

c.  Remember to use transitional words and phrases to link your paragraphs.

d.  Write from the third-person point of view.

4.  Put your draft aside, and then come back later to revise it.

5.  After you’re done revising, create a final draft.

6.  Proofread your final draft for grammar, punctuation, and spelling.

WHAT YOU’LL HAND IN: All prewriting (for example, brainstorming, outline, first draft, etc.) and final draft. The final draft should be clearly labeled with the words “FINAL DRAFT” at the top of the page.

Here is the rubric that the Instructor will use to grade your persuasive essay:

GRADING RUBRIC—PERSUASIVE ESSAY

*Please note that all essays must meet the minimum page requirement (2 pages—not 1 ½ or 1 ¾ pages, but 2 full pages). If the papers do not, credit may not be given, and an irreversible grade deduction will be taken.

All prewriting was submitted with final draft. / 0 / 3
Thesis statement is in boldface, and topic sentences of body paragraphs are underlined. / 0 / 3
Each body paragraph contains 5-12 sentences, and many short sentences aren’t used to meet the minimum requirement. All paragraphs are indented. / 0 / 3
Paragraph is double spaced and typed in 12-point Times. MLA formatting is used for your personal information, title, and page number/last name. / 0 / 1 / 2 / 3
Introduction contains an appropriate and effective “hook” to capture the reader’s attention. / 0 / 1 / 2 / 3
Thesis statement is located at the end of the introduction, and it reveals the narrowed subject and the author’s position. / 0 / 1 / 2 / 3
Support is included in order of importance, which is shown through clear transition words. / 0 / 1 / 2 / 3
Each body paragraph contains a topic sentence. / 0 / 1 / 2 / 3
Three or more methods of persuasion are used effectively: providing facts, referring to an authority, giving examples, predicting the consequences, and/or answering the opposition. / 0 / 1 / 2 / 3
Body paragraphs contain sufficient, logical support. Support does not appeal only to the emotions. When information from a source is used, the author, the title, and the publication are revealed. At least three body paragraphs are used. / 0 / 1 / 2 / 3
4 / 5 / 6
7 / 8 / 9
10 / 11 / 12
Author wrote from the third-person point of view. / 0 / 1 / 2 / 3
Conclusion provides satisfactory closure. / 0 / 1 / 2 / 3
Conclusion has sufficient depth. / 0 / 1 / 2 / 3
Essay has unity; no irrelevant information is included. / 0 / 1 / 2 / 3
Transitions effectively link information in the essay. / 0 / 1 / 2 / 3
Essay contains few to no errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling. / 0 / 1 / 2 / 3
Essay contains few to no run-ons, comma splices, or sentence fragments. / 0 / 1 / 2 / 3

GRADE: