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Doctoring a Persuasive Essay
1. Be sure the thesis includes your answer to the prompt with a subject (also called a topic) and an opinion or
assertion about that subject
THESIS = SUBJECT (TOPIC) + because + OPINION / ASSERTION (ways & reasons)
Underline in blue
2. Topic Sentence-For the first body paragraph, do you have a topic sentence that introduces the example
you used in the first body paragraph that backs up what you said in the thesis sentence. Does your topic
sentence begin with a transition word?
Underline in yellow
3. SASSY BEARS-Do you have a strong piece of specific evidence in your first body paragraph? Whose story
are you telling?
Underline in red
4. Do you repeat key words from the prompt as you explain your evidence?
Underline in green
5. Do you have a conclusion sentence to the first body paragraph that ties back to the topic sentence?
6. Topic Sentence-For the first body paragraph, do you have a topic sentence that introduces the example
you used in the first body paragraph that backs up what you said in the thesis sentence. Does your topic
sentence begin with a transition word that connects your two body paragraphs?
Underline in yellow
7. SASSY BEARS-Do you have a strong piece of specific evidence in your second body paragraph? Whose story
are you telling?
Underline in red
8. Do you repeat key words from the prompt as you explain your evidence?
Underline in green
9. Counter Argument and Rebuttal-Do you include a sentence where you recognize the other side of the
argument and then explain why your side is right. “Some may argue that (my thesis) is not true because…
However, my (thesis) is still true because…”
Underline in purple
10. Do you have a conclusion sentence to the second body paragraph that ties back to the topic sentence?
Underline in yellow
11. Does your conclusion paragraph include a restatement of the thesis, a “why it matters”, and a “call to
action”?
Underline your restatement of the thesis in blue
Underline your why it matters in pink
1. Find any dead words (words that died of boredom! “Very…things…said…amazing…really…I think…I
believe…In my opinion…
2. Look at all of the paragraphs. Make sure no two start the same way. Pick a new transition!
3. Fix any capitalization or punctuation errors. ,and ,but ,”quote” Capitalize proper nouns and the beginnings
of sentences. Chose the correct punctuation for the end of sentences.
4. Now read your paper OUT LOUD! If something is awkward, sounds weird, or you have to breathe before
you get to the end of the sentence, revise to make it clear.