Writing Standard: Persuasion Name ______

Fill out this essay template Date ______Period ____

INTRODUCTION (First ¶ )

Hook sentence: ______

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Thesis sentence + Road Map State the issue/question, your position on it, and your two or three reasons why your position is right. Sample thesis with road map: “Soda and candy should not be available for sale at middle schools because they harm students’ health in the short-term and promote long-term junk food habits that are hard to kick.” ______

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BODY PARAGRAPHS

Second ¶--- First reason/point/argument ______

Topic sentence Start with a transition such as (first, one reason, the most important reason/advantage ) ______

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Supporting details or evidence or examples
Use transition phrases or words. Circle the phrases you’ll use or write your own in the blank: one example, one advantage of this is,______. / Explanation of these details
Circle or write the signal/transition phrases or words you’ll use: this example shows/ reveals/ demonstrates that, from this example one can see that, therefore, thus

Third ¶--- Second reason/point/argument ______

Topic sentence Start with a transition such as Secondly, next, also, then, another reason, in addition, not only is ______an important reason why ______, but ______. ______

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Supporting details or evidence or examples
Use transition phrases or words. Circle the phrases you’ll use or write your own in the blank: another example, another reason, one advantage of this is,______) / Explanation of these details
Circle or write the signal/transition phrases or words you’ll use: this example shows/ reveals/ demonstrates that, from this example one can see that, therefore, thus

Optional Fourth ¶--- Third reason/argument/point ______

Circle or write in the signal word you will use in your topic sentence use to show the reader this is your third reason: Finally, lastly, third, furthermore, moreover,

Topic sentence: ______

Supporting details or evidence or examples
Use transition phrases or words. Circle the phrases you’ll use or write your own in the blank: another example, another reason, one advantage of this is,______) / Explanation of these details
Circle or write the signal/transition phrases or words you’ll use: this example shows/ reveals/ demonstrates that, from this example one can see that, therefore, thus

Fifth ¶---Counter-arguments & Rebuttals:

Topic sentence of counterargument and rebuttal paragraph—start with a transition to signal to your reader that you are moving from explaining your reasons for your stand on the position to anticipating their concerns and addressing those concerns. (If you are reading these directions, please draw a smiley face in the lower left-hand corner of this paper for an extra point.) Samples: it may be true that ______, however, on the other hand, some people think/believe/might argue/suggest, , even though, although, surprisingly, it might seem as if, despite, in spite of, even if… ______

Topic Sentence ______

Reader’s concerns (counterarguments) / Rebuttals to refute (or prove wrong) the counterarguments wrong

CONCLUSION (Sixth ¶)

Restate thesis in a fresh way ______

Remind reader of your reasons and your rebuttals ______

Tie it up—provide a sense of closure: ______

REMINDERS FOR THE TYPED DRAFT—Don’t use “I” or “you.” Don’t include an extra space between paragraphs. Don’t write “In this essay…” or “Now that you know the reasons why…” NEVER write “I think” or “I believe that.” Double-space it. 12-point easy to read font with one inch margins. Include a clever title.

L. Clark-Burnell, 2004