Rough Draft Due: ______________
Name: _________________________________
FINAL Draft Due: ______________
English 3 CP
Charity Persuasive Essay
Directions:
Many believe that it is our “civic duty,” or responsibility as citizens, to give back to our
community/country whenever we can. Unfortunately, far too many people do not live up to those
expectations. So, your job is to:
Write a five-paragraph persuasive essay convincing the student
body at PHS to take an interest and donate to charity/cause of
your choice. You may choose any charity/organization, from a local
Parkland-run group to an internationally known cause. The choice is
yours! 
Grading
You will be graded on the general writing traits as always. Here are a few things to think about:
o Content - Did you have detailed, well-explained reasons we should help you?
o Organization – Did you use any transition words like we discussed?
o Focus – Did you address the student body?
o Language – Did you appeal to our emotions? Did you use vivid descriptions?
*See the rubric for specific details.
Websites for Research:
You will have 1 day in class to research. Here are general two websites that have a great general
listing of charities and organizations out there to get involved in. Once you’ve selected a
charity/organization, I would suggest looking up its main page.
1) Charity Watch A-Z: http://www.charitywatch.org/azlist.html
*Click on the “Top-Rated” link to see charities organized by category
2) Charity Navigator: http://www.charitynavigator.org/
Format for Final Paper:
Name
Date
English 3 CP
TITLE CENTERED
Then, start typing your essay. It should be double spaced. Remember, go
To “Format” and click on “Paragraph.” From there, you can adjust the spacing.
Charity Organization Options
This
ways
ways
your
essay will be another 5-paragraph essay. There are a number of
you could organize this particular essay. Here are few possible
to get you started. Star which one you are choosing to use for
paper.
Pattern 1
Pattern 2
Intro with background
information on
charity/organization
-
Intro Paragraph
-
BP1 – Background on Charity
-
BP1 – Reason to Support 1
-
BP2 – Reasons to Support
-
BP2 – Reason to Support 2
-
-
BP3 – Reason to Support 3
BP3 – Explanation of what type
of help you want from us.
Conclusion Paragraph
Conclusion with explanation of
what type of help you want
from us.
-
-
-
Pattern 3
Pattern 4
-
Intro with background
information on
charity/organization
-
Intro with background
information on
charity/organization
-
BP1 – Reason to Support 1
-
BP1 – Reasons to Support
-
BP2 – Reason to Support 2
-
-
BP3 – Explanation of what type
of help you want from us.
BP2 – Explanation of first
type of help you want from us.
-
-
Conclusion paragraph
-
BP3 – Explanation of second
type of help you want from us.
Conclusion paragraph
Thesis Statements
Your thesis statement should be 1 sentence at the end of your introduction paragraph that follows this
formula:
Thesis Formula = Subject + stance/feelings on the subject + 3 main points
Transition words
Remember to use TRANSITION WORDS! Another easy way to help with the
flow of your essay is to include transition words. They help even the
worst of writers to direct and lead the audience through their
papers. Check out the transition hand-out from class for examples.
Date Due: ________________
Name: _________________________________
English 3 CP
Essay Rubric: Persuasive (55 pts.)
PROMPT: Write a five-paragraph persuasive essay convincing the student body at PHS to take an
interest in a charity/cause of your choice.
I.
Focus/Organization:
_________ /10
(There is a logical organization and flow to
the paper. The paper answers the given prompt.
The writer followed the prescribed five-paragraph
essay format. The paper speaks directly to the
thesis originally stated.)
II.
Ideas and Content:
_________ /10
(The argument presented is clear and logical,
answers the prompt sufficiently, and addresses a
specific audience. Relevant and creative examples
were used and analyze to support the argument.
A good amount of effort was put into the writing process.)
III. Language Use and Style
_________ /15
(There is vivid description and imagery used to
present the argument. Personality and style is
evident in the writer’s voice. An attempt was made
to connect to the audience through examples,
vocabulary, and values/beliefs.
IV. Conventions:
_________ /10
(There are no punctuation or grammatical
errors. There are no sentence fragments.
All words are spelled and used correctly.)
V. Format:
_________ /5
(The student turned in all of the following
from top to bottom: rubric, final paper,
rough draft, goal sheet.)
VI. MY GOAL WAS
_________ /5
(The student identified and worked towards
improving his/her individual writing goal.)
*My goal was to ____________________________________________.
TOTAL: _________ /55
Predicted PSSA: _________ / 4