SB Unit 1 EA: Equal access to the American Dream for ALL
Problem-Solution Persuasive Essay
Structure of an Argument: to be started, then complete following research and before the
outline is completed)
Audience:
Purpose:
Hook:
Overall Claim/Position:
Concessions: (if any) find common ground/values; where do both sides agree?
Counter claims: (opposing arguments, if any)
Evidence to Support claims/arguments - to support claims/arguments (SB & own
researched sources) -Refutations and rebuttals in the form of anecdotal evidence, empirical
evidence, rhetorical ?s, analogy, and various types of appeals:logos, ethos, pathos. CITE THEM
(with Easybib)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Call to Action: What should be done? By whom?
Outline
You are required to do a phrase/topic outline. I prefer the outline typed and turned in to GC, but you may
handwrite it if it is neatly done, in blue or black ink only, on the front side of a clean piece of paper. Be sure to
include the TAG for each source in this outline. If you don’t I WILL TREAT THE OUTLINE AS
PLAGAIRIZED.
Introduction
A. Hook/Motivator (write this out) – could be a startling statistic/fact, an anecdote, quote, rhetorical question.
Use pathos to get the audience to feel the weight of the problem.
B. Context: Transition from hook to providing background info on the American Dream. (Where did it originate
and what was it to early immigrants? Go back to Lady Liberty, Roosevelt’s speech & de Crevecoeur. What
does it mean today? Has it changed? How?) TAG and cite SB sources used.
C. Thesis statement/Claim: America today does not provide the same opportunity for everyone to achieve the
American Dream due to the challenges of _________. (You can use mine, or come up with your own.)
Section 1: Springboard Sources (2-3) to show the problem (1-2 paragraphs)
A. Topic Sentence – Define problem (write out)
1. Describe
2. Examples
3. Who affected
Section 2: Research to prove the problem exists today (2-4 sources in 2-4 paragraphs)
B. Concessions and/or Counter claims
1. Topic sentence
2. Concessions
3. Counter claim
Evidence to prove your claim
C. Topic Sentence – Define problem (write out)
1. Describe
2. Examples
3. Who affected
D. Topic Sentence – Causes/history of the problem (write out)
1. Where/how it originated
2. Causes
E. Topic Sentence – Seriousness/Consequences (write out)
1. Negative effects
2. How serious
3. Consequences
F. Your own anecdotal evidence
Transition sentence to lead into the solution.
Section 3 – Solution/Call to Action (1-2 paragraphs) This section also uses evidence from research.
G. Topic Sentence – Solution #1
1. Who will solve?
2. Steps involved
3. How will this solve the problem?
H. Topic Sentence – Solution #2
1. Who will solve?
2. Steps involved
3. How will this solve the problem?
Conclusion
A. Summary statement (write out)
B. Relate to the world today or future (write out)
C. Final thought (write out)