Name: ________________________
Period: ______ Date: ____________
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Remember the Titans, Coach Boone’s Gettysburg Speech
“Anybody know what this place is? This is Gettysburg. This is where they fought the
Battle of Gettysburg. Fifty thousand men died right here on this field, fightin' the same
fight that we're still fightin' amongst ourselves today.
This green field right here was painted red, bubblin' with the blood of young boys,
smoke and hot lead pourin' right through their bodies. Listen to their souls, men:
'I killed my brother with malice in my heart. Hatred destroyed my family.'
You listen. And you take a lesson from the dead. If we don't come together, right
now, on this hallowed ground, we too will be destroyed -- just like they were. I don't
care if you like each other or not. But you will respect each other. And maybe -- I don't
know -- maybe we'll learn to play this game like men.”
Issue: What is Coach Boone’s persuasive message? Who is his audience?
Supporting Statements: What reasons, evidence, and examples does Coach Boone use?
Persuasive Techniques: How does Coach Boone persuade his audience?
Call to Action/Conclusion: What is Coach Boone’s call to action?
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Brainstorming Possible Topics
*Tip: Choose a topic that you feel strongly about, something important to you. This
makes the best papers.
What issues matter to you?
Choose two of these issues, pick a position, and brainstorm your reasons.
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Stating Your Argument: Thesis Statements
A thesis statement states your position or viewpoint on an arguable issue.
Topic:
Arguable
Positions:
School uniforms
For/against school uniforms
For/against a stricter dress code
Against any dress code
To write a position statement, gather a list of reasons to support a particular viewpoint.
Position:
For school uniforms
Supporting
Reasons:
Ensures equality
Saves money
Helps schools identify visitors
Position:
Against school uniforms
Supporting
Reasons:
Eliminates free expression
Causes teachers to waste time
Are too expensive to buy and maintain
Next, write a sentence that pulls all the information together and makes your stance clear to the
audience.
Thesis Statement Examples:
For: A uniform policy will ensure true equality in schools, save families money, and
help schools identify visitors easily.
Against: Uniforms would cause more problems in a school than they would solve
because they eliminate free expression, cause teachers to waste time, and are too
expensive.
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Writing Your Thesis Statement
Topic/Issue #1:
Your Arguable Viewpoint:
Supporting Reasons:
1.
2.
3.
Now pull these ideas together to compose your thesis statement:
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Outline for Organizing Your Supporting Paragraphs
*Tip: Organize your essay well. If your essay is not organized, your argument will not
be as effective.
*Tip: Save your most convincing reason and evidence for last. This leaves readers with
the strongest argument in mind and builds the argument, much like the climax of a
story.
Thesis Statement:
I. Topic sentence:
Supports:
a.
b.
c.
II. Topic sentence:
Supports:
a.
b.
c.
III. Topic sentence:
Supports:
a.
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b.
c.
Persuasion Map
Topic:
Position Statement:
Reason #1:
Facts or Examples:
Reason #2:
Facts or Examples:
Reason #3:
Facts or Examples:
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Considering Both Sides: The Pros and Cons of an Argument
*Tip: Always include cons in a persuasive essay. This shows that you are really
informed about the topic and strengthens your argument. Pros should respond to the
cons. The best defense is a good offense!
Take a Stance: “Kids Gone Wild”
What is the Issue?
Pros:
Cons:
What are the pros and cons of your topic?
Topic:
Pros:
Cons:
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Support Your Position: Using Evidence
*Tip: Your supporting paragraphs will explain the reasons behind your position in
detail and provide evidence to back it up. Always use facts to support your opinions.
Here are some types of evidence you may use:
Comparison or analogy: Requiring school uniforms is like censorship.
Fact/Statistic: Since the Long Beach Unified School district began requiring school
uniforms, student fights have decreased by 85%.
Real-life example: My parents have had to spend $100 more on school uniforms than
they did for regular clothes.
Quoting an expert: Principal John Doe says, “School uniforms promote equality and a
sense of school community.”
What evidence will you use to back up the reasons for your position?
Thesis Statement:
Use the space below to brainstorm possible evidence you might want to use in your
essay. After brainstorming, you may do research to gather evidence, if necessary.
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Introduction: Hooking Your Audience
The introduction has a "hook or grabber" to catch the reader's attention. Some
"grabbers" include:
1. Opening with an unusual detail:
Manitoba, because of its cold climate, is not thought of as a great place to be a reptile.
Actually, it has the largest seasonal congregation of garter snakes in the world!
2. Opening with a strong statement:
Cigarettes are the number one cause of lighter sales in Canada!
3. Opening with a Quotation:
Elbert Hubbard once said, "Truth is stronger than fiction."
4. Opening with an Anecdote:
Jamie was rounding the corner when he heard his favorite song come on the radio. "Oh,
Man! I love that song!" he exclaimed. He reached down to turn up the volume, and
when he looked back up, he was headed straight for the headlights of a transfer truck.
5. Opening with a Statistic or Fact:
More teens die from automobile accidents than from any other type of accident or
injury.
6. Opening with a Question:
Have you ever considered how many books we'd read if it were not for television?
7. Opening with an Exaggeration or Outrageous Statement:
The whole world watched as the comet flew overhead.
Brainstorm three possible “hooks” for your introduction:
1.
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2.
3.
How Do I Conclude My Persuasive Essay?
A persuasive essay usually ends by summarizing the most important details of the
argument and stating once again what the reader is to believe or do.
1. Restate your thesis or focus statement.
2. Summarize the main points: The conclusion lets your reader recall the main points
of your position. In order to do this you can paraphrase the main points of your
argument.
3. Write a personal comment or call for action. You can do this:
* With a Prediction:
One day, school uniforms will be mandatory in all schools.
* With a Question:
Considering the evidence I have presented, are school uniforms really beneficial?
* With Recommendations:
School uniforms should be required in all schools.
* With a Call for Action:
We must let our community know that school uniforms will create more problems than
solve problems.
Brainstorm three possible endings for your persuasive essay:
1.
2.
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3.
Peer Reviewing: Giving Feedback
Author of Paper #1: _________________________
State the argument of the paper as you understand it.
Praise: Write one thing you liked about the paper.
Question: Write one question you had about the paper.
Suggestion: Make one suggestion to help your peer improve their paper.
Author of Paper #2: _________________________
State the argument of the paper, as you understand it.
Praise: Write one thing you liked about the paper.
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Question: Write one question you had about the paper.
Suggestion: Make one suggestion to help your peer improve their paper.
Peer Reviewing: Receiving Feedback
Peer Reviewers: ___________________________________________
What they think your argument is:
Praise:
Questions:
Suggestions:
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Revising Your Persuasive Essay
*Tip: Be sure to consider the needs of your audience as you answer the following
questions. Try to pretend you are not the writer, but the reader reading the essay for the
first time.
1. Does my paper have a main idea or central focus? Is my thesis clear?
2. Have I incorporated adequate detail? Where might I include telling a detail,
revealing a statistic, or vivid example?
3. Is any information unnecessary, irrelevant, or confusing? Does everything belong
4. Do all my ideas and supporting details pertain to my main idea or advance my
thesis?
5. Is my writing clear and coherent? Is the flow of sentences and paragraphs smooth
and logical?
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6. Do I need to add transitional words, phrases, or sentences to make relationships
among ideas clearer?
7. Are my sentences well constructed? What sentences might I combine to improve the
grace and rhythm of my writing?
8. Does my argument make sense? Is my argument consistent throughout the paper?
Final Editing
*Tip: When you are satisfied with your revision, edit your paper, looking for mistakes
in usage and mechanics. You will want to look over the paper several times, looking for
different types of mistakes each time using the following questions.
1. Are there any run-on sentences or sentence fragments? Are coordinating
conjunctions appropriately used?
2. Do all verbs agree with their subject?
3. Do all pronouns agree with their antecedents?
4. Are verb tenses correct and consistent?
5. Do adverbs and adjectives modify the appropriate words?
6. Are all forms of be and other irregular verbs used correctly?
7. Are pronouns used correctly?
8. Are comparative and superlative forms of adjectives correct?
9. Is any punctuation mark missing or not needed?
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10. Are there any unnecessary commas or missing commas?
11. Are all words spelled correctly?
12. Are all proper nouns and all proper adjectives capitalized?
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