Name:______Date:______

English 7, Period ______Mr. Koondel/Ms. Skolnik/Ms. Harwood

The Wizard of Oz and That Was Then, This Is Now: The Wisdom, Courage, and Love Persuasive Essay

Persuasive Essay:

Persuasive writing utilizes logic and reason to persuade a reader to adopt a certain point of view about a topic. The essay must always use sound reasoning and specific and convincing evidence by stating facts, giving logical reasons, using examples, and quoting/paraphrasing text. A persuasive essay has a very clear thesis statement that makes your opinion or chosen “side” known upfront. This helps your reader know exactly what your position is on the topic. The thesis should also present the basic organization of your essay; list your points in order in the thesis and then analyze them in exactly the same order in the body paragraphs.Structure and organization are integral components of an effective persuasive essay. Therefore, be sure to include a compelling introduction, well-organized body paragraphs, and an insightful conclusion.

Writing Prompt:

Wisdom, courage, and love are central themes in The Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum, and That Was Then, This Is Now, by S.E. Hinton. These themesare also a vitalpart of our everyday lives and emotional/spiritual well-being. Think about these themes as they appear in the summer reading and the characters’ lives, and connect the theme of wisdom, courage,or love with two charactersfrom either summer reading book.

In your answer, be sure to

  • Describe how the theme of wisdom, love, or courage connects with one character from either summer reading novel
  • Describe how the theme of wisdom, love, or courage connects with a second character from either summer reading novel
  • Use details from the novel (or novels) to support your answer

Organization:

Introduction Paragraph:
a.Introduction Sentence: topic = wisdom, courage or love
b.Clarifying Sentences: add context to enhance the reader’s understanding of the topic’s complexity
c.Thesis (one sentence): after providing the title(s) and author(s), answer the writing prompt by indicating the two characters and theme(s) while adding a general, overarching reason.
Body Paragraph 1:
a.Topic Sentence: state the first character and theme listed in the thesis, supported by three, succinctly stated text examples.
b.Transition (“For example,” or “For instance,”) and description of first text example
c.Brief quotation or paraphrase that shows example
d.Detailed analysis and explanation of example
(repeat b-d for next two text examples)
e.Conclusion (one sentence): briefly connect the topic sentence and support
Body Paragraph 2:
  1. Topic Sentence: state the second character and theme listed in the thesis, supported by three, succinctly stated text examples.
  2. Transition (“For example,” or “For instance,”) and description of second text example
  3. Brief quotation or paraphrase that shows example
  4. Detailed analysis and explanation of example
(repeat b-d for next two text examples)
  1. Conclusion (one sentence): briefly connect the topic sentence and support

Conclusion Paragraph:
  1. Restate thesis while adding the most significant pieces of evidence presented in the body paragraphs; include your assessment of the universal lesson all people are able to learn from the book’s (or books’) characters and theme(s).

Good Transitions Include:

Example 1: for instance, for example

Example 2: next, also, in addition, additionally, moreover, furthermore

Example 3: finally, lastly, as a final point

Conclusion: clearly, consequently, therefore, as a result

After Quoted/Paraphrased Text Examples: This example proved… (showed, demonstrated, revealed, symbolized, represented, implied)

Assignment Directions:

  1. All essays must be typed
  2. Check your writing for correct spelling, grammar (consistent verb tense), and punctuation.
  3. Include a correct heading and title.
  4. Double space everything, including the heading (and don't skip extra lines between the heading and title or the title and introduction sentence).
  5. Use standard one-inch margins.
  6. Use a 12 point Arial, Courier, or Times New Roman font.
  7. Avoid informal language, abbreviations, and contractions (except when quoting).
  8. No pictures, designs, illustrations, unusual paper, book report covers, or paper clips.