Structure of a persuasive essay
Introduction (3-5 sentences)
 Hook: Grab the reader’s attention with a quote, scenario, question, vivid description, etc. Must
be related to your topic. 1-2 sentences
 Thesis statement: Simply and clearly state your position on the issue. 1 sentence
 Three arguments. Choose three arguments you can use to convince your reader of your position.
Briefly state these arguments here. 1-3 sentences
 Write a transition sentence.
Body Paragraph 2 (5-8 sentences)
 Go back to paragraph one
 Find your first argument
 Write a paragraph about it
 Use specific examples to support your argument
 Write a counterclaim here with 1 – 3 rebuttal arguments (or put all counterclaims in a paragraph
before the conclusion). You do not need a counterclaim for each body paragraph.
 Write a transition sentence.
Body Paragraph 3 (5-8 sentences)
 Go back to paragraph one
 Find your second argument
 Write a paragraph about it
 Use specific examples to support your argument
 Write a counterclaim here with 1 – 3 rebuttal arguments (or put all counterclaims in a paragraph
before the conclusion). You do not need a counterclaim for each body paragraph.
 Write a transition sentence.
Body Paragraph 4 (5-8 sentences)
 Go back to paragraph one
 Find your third argument
 Write a paragraph about it
 Use specific examples to support your argument
 Write a counterclaim here with 1 – 3 rebuttal arguments (or put all counterclaims in a paragraph
before the conclusion). You do not need a counterclaim for each body paragraph.
 Write a transition sentence.
Counterclaim (if not already in the paragraphs 2 – 4)
 Write 1 - 3 counterclaims here with 1 – 3 rebuttal arguments (unless you already covered
counterclaims in any of the paragraph above).
Conclusion (3-5 sentences)
 Summarize—restate your thesis statement and three arguments in different words
 Make a closing statement. Tie your closing statement back to your opening hook.
Outline, Persuasive Essay
Directions: Use the outline form below to organize your persuasive essay. Choose your topic and three
arguments to support your opinion. Section I is for your introduction. You must have at least 1
counterclaim.
Topic___________________________________________________________________
I.
Introduction
A. Hook_______________________________________________________
B. Thesis statement______________________________________________
C. Argument #1_________________________________________________
D. Argument #2_________________________________________________
E. Argument #3_________________________________________________
F. Transition (this could be the end of this paragraph or the start of the next paragraph)
_____________________________________________
II.
Argument #1_________________________________________________
A. Example #1____________________________________________
B. Example #2____________________________________________
C. Example #3____________________________________________
D. Counterclaim (optional location. You can put the counterclaim in a separate paragraph
before the conclusion if you prefer. If you use a separate paragraph, all counterclaims go
there. Use 1 – 3 rebuttal reasons.)
1.Rebuttal #1____________________________________________
2.Rebuttal #2____________________________________________
3.Rebuttal #3____________________________________________
E. Transition (this could be the end of this paragraph or the start of the next paragraph)
_____________________________________________
III.
Argument #2_________________________________________________
A. Example #1____________________________________________
B. Example #2____________________________________________
C. Example #3____________________________________________
D. Counterclaim (optional location. You can put the counterclaim in a separate paragraph
before the conclusion if you prefer. If you use a separate paragraph, all counterclaims go
there. Use 1 – 3 rebuttal reasons.)
1.Rebuttal #1____________________________________________
2.Rebuttal #2____________________________________________
3.Rebuttal #3____________________________________________
E. Transition (this could be the end of this paragraph or the start of the next paragraph)
_____________________________________________
IV.
Argument #3_________________________________________________
A. Example #1____________________________________________
B. Example #2____________________________________________
C. Example #3____________________________________________
D. Counterclaim (optional location. You can put the counterclaim in a separate paragraph
before the conclusion if you prefer. If you use a separate paragraph, all counterclaims go
there. Use 1 – 3 rebuttal reasons.)
1.Rebuttal #1____________________________________________
2.Rebuttal #2____________________________________________
3.Rebuttal #3____________________________________________
E. Transition (this could be the end of this paragraph or the start of the next paragraph)
_____________________________________________
V.
Counterclaim Rebuttal (use this for all counterclaims unless you put the counter claims in
with your arguments above. If you use this separate paragraph approach, you will have 6
instead of 5 paragraphs. Include 1 – 3 counterclaims with 1 – 3 rebuttals for each.)
A. Counterclaim
1.Rebuttal #1____________________________________________
2.Rebuttal #2____________________________________________
3.Rebuttal #3____________________________________________
4.Transition (this could be the end of this paragraph or the start of the next
paragraph) _____________________________________
B. Counterclaim
1.Rebuttal #1____________________________________________
2.Rebuttal #2____________________________________________
3.Rebuttal #3____________________________________________
4.Transition (this could be the end of this paragraph or the start of the next
paragraph) _____________________________________
C. Counterclaim
1.Rebuttal #1____________________________________________
2.Rebuttal #2____________________________________________
3.Rebuttal #3____________________________________________
4.Transition (this could be the end of this paragraph or the start of the next
paragraph) ______________________________________
VI.
Conclusion
A. Restate thesis (different words)__________________________________
B. Restate arguments (different words)_______________________________
C. Clincher (tie it all together. Ideally, reference your hook) _____________
___________________________________________________________