Writing a Persuasive Essay:
Outline Strategy
Paragraph 1: Introduction
1. Make a general statement about the topic ( Hook the reader)
2. State your opinion about the topic. (Thesis)
3. State three reasons in support of your opinion (Establish framework for paragraphs)
Paragraph 2
1. State your first reason for your opinion
2. Give one piece of evidence to support this reason and explain it.
3. State a second piece of evidence to support this reason and explain it
4. State a third piece of evidence to support this reason and explain it
5. Write a sentence to connect reasons and evidence to your opinion
Paragraph 3:
1. Use a transition word and state your second reason for your opinion
2. Give one piece of evidence to support this reason and explain it.
3. State a second piece of evidence to support this reason and explain it
4. State a third piece of evidence to support this reason and explain it
5. Write a sentence to connect reasons and evidence to your opinion
Paragraph 4:
1. Use a transition word and state your third reason for your opinion
2. Give one piece of evidence to support this reason and explain it.
3. State a second piece of evidence to support this reason and explain it
4. State a third piece of evidence to support this reason and explain it
5. Write a sentence to connect reasons and evidence to your opinion
Paragraph 5: Conclusion
Use a transition word and tell why the evidence is important and restate your opinion.
Writing a Persuasive Essay:
Outline Strategy
Paragraph 1: Introduction
1.
2.
3.
Paragraph 2
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Paragraph 3:
1
2.
3.
4.
5.
Paragraph 4:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Paragraph 5: Conclusion
Pre-writing and Writing Activities
Suggested activities – whole class or small group
Use information from graphic organizers, a list of information generated by the
teacher or the class as a basis for discussion
 Compare and contrast
 Look for ways to classify the information – positive traits of a character;
political, economic and social factors; chemical changes and physical
changes;
 Identify cause and effect
 Identify similarities and differences
 As a class or in small groups, develop several thematic statements about
the information
 Ask students to write a paragraph in response to one of the thematic
statements
 Use a structured activity as a pre-writing activity. For example, develop five
questions related to a specific set of facts. Divide class into 5 groups, one
question per group. Ask students to discuss the question and decide what
is being asked, list 5 facts they would use to respond to the question and
develop a controlling idea or thesis. Each group can then share the
question and their work. This is a good review prior to a test or exam
 Lesson activities may include reading and discussion, panel discussion,
informal debate, writing a skit, in particular a dialogue expressing 2
different points of view, a mock trial or large group and small group
outlining of a draft essay