Persuasive Research Essay Guidelines - Weebly



Persuasive Essay Guidelines

Level 4 Core

Lori Rottenberg, Spring 2020

For our next writing project, you will write a persuasive essay:

• The essay must have at least 5 paragraphs, including an introduction with a thesis, paragraphs with related topic sentences and multiple supporting reasons, a counterargument, and a conclusion.

• The essay will include at least one direct quote from a recent Upfront article. No other outside sources may be used. This will allow me to make sure you are citing correctly. You will do research within your chosen article by looking for facts, statistics, and expert opinions that support your argument.

• The essay must provide your definitive, persuasive stance on your topic—no partially agreeing and disagreeing.

Parts of the counterargument paragraph:

❑ Step 1: Make a counterargument (“Some people say,” “Many think,” “It has been claimed” etc.) that DISAGREES with your thesis.

❑ Step 2: Agree a little with the part that makes sense. (“Indeed,” “Naturally,” “Obviously,” etc.)

❑ Step 3: U-turn (“However,” “Although”, etc) and refute the counterargument to restate your own point of view (thesis) again

❑ Step 4: Support your refutation with facts, reasons, and examples

❑ Step 5 (optional but useful!): Restate your point of view (“Therefore,”)

Choose from one of these Upfront articles that you can shape into persuasive questions and essays:

• Pet cloning: “Copy Cats” 2/17/2020 issue

• Minimum wage increases: “The Teens Fighting for $15/Hour” 12/9/2019 issue

• Privacy and facial recognition: “No Hiding Your Face” 9/2/2019 issue

• Using genealogy to solve crime: “Could Your DNA Solve a Murder?” 2/18/2019 issue

• Use of plastic: “How Plastic Is Trashing the Planet,” 1/7/2019 issue

• Vaping: “Is Juul Targeting You?” 12/10/2019 issue

Deadlines:

Wednesday, April 15: Topic finalized and Persuasive Essay Development Sheet due

Tuesday, April 21: Peer review of first draft

Thursday, April 23: Final draft printed and ready to turn in

You will be graded on the following 3 criteria (1/3 each):

← Content: How well do you argue and support your point of view? Is your opinion based on facts or authoritative sources? Do you skillfully answer your counterarguments?

← Structure: Good outline, good hook and thesis, matching topic sentences in body paragraphs, adequate number of supporting points and explanations for every topic sentence, and a conclusion that matches the thesis and the body.

← Surface: Correct verb forms, word forms, articles, spelling, capitalization, formatting, and punctuation. Correct in-text and end-of-text citations for outside sources.

SAMPLE OUTLINE

Title: (Use the word “Should” and show your position)_______________________________

I. Introduction

A. Hook______________________________________________________________

B. Background information about the issue__________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

C. Thesis statement (your position on issue)__________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

II. Body Paragraph #1 (Topic Sentence—reason #1 why your position is correct)

___________________________________________________________________

A. Supporting Idea #1 ___________________________________________________

1. Example/Proof____________________________________________________

2. Explanation of Example/Proof________________________________________

B. Supporting Idea #2____________________________________________________

1. Example/Proof____________________________________________________

2. Explanation of Example/Proof________________________________________

III. Body Paragraph #2 (Topic Sentence—reason #2 why your position is correct)

____________________________________________________________________

A. Supporting Idea #1_____________________________________________________

1. Example/Proof_____________________________________________________

2. Explanation of Example/Proof_________________________________________

B. Supporting Idea #2_____________________________________________________

1. Example/Proof_____________________________________________________

2. Explanation of Example/Proof_________________________________________

IV. Counterargument Body Paragraph #3 (Introduce opposing argument, agree a little, U-turn, and then provide two reasons why opposing arguments are wrong)

_____________________________________________________________________________

A. Refutation Supporting Idea #1____________________________________________

1. Example/Proof_____________________________________________________

2. Explanation of Example/Proof_________________________________________

B. Refutation Supporting Idea #2____________________________________________

1. Example/Proof_____________________________________________________

2. Explanation of Example/Proof_________________________________________

V. Conclusion

A. Closing thoughts or reflections about your topic______________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

B. Restate (paraphrase) thesis and major points_________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

C. Provide a recommendation or prediction of what will or won’t happen if your position is not accepted ________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

VI. References (Separate page—APA style)

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