Objectives:
o
o
Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting your opinion with reasons and information.
Link opinions using transitional words and phrases.
Name: ______________________________________________
Early Explorer Persuasive Essay
Assignment Rationale
Being able to express your opinion and get others to agree with you is an important
skill in school and in life. It's also important to support your opinion with facts and
information. In this assignment, you will assume the point of view of an early explorer
trying to convince your friends to come with you to America. You will need to complete
your research about the benefits of the immigration before drafting your persuasive letter.
Assignment Organization
Heading
Name: Write your name here
Date: Write the date we begin the assignment
Title: Persuasive Writing: Early Explorers (this is the title you will write)
Paragraph 1: Introduction paragraph
 First sentence: Use a hook. Types of hooks: Sensory detail or simile, question, quote
 Sentences 2-4: This is where you will forecast the information that will be in the
following body paragraphs. For example, you may note that there is religious freedom
in America. DO not say, "In the following paragraphs I will tell you about..."
 Last sentence: Thesis - the point your essay. This should be one sentence about what
you're trying to convince your friends to do. You may use the following sentence to help
you. "After reading this letter, you should come with me because ________________________."
Paragraphs 2-4: Body paragraphs
This is where you will provide logically ordered reasons why your friends should come
with you to America. Try to use a lot of facts from your textbooks.
 Paragraph 2: One logical reason why your friends should come with you (ex: religious
freedom)
 Paragraph 3: Another logical reason why your friends should come with you
 Paragraph 4: Another logical reason why your friends should come with you
Paragraph 5: Conclusion paragraph - try to 5 sentences
 Restate the thesis - this is from your introduction paragraph. Don't copy it exactly, but
make it similar.
 Next, start with the transition, "In the future..." and then use 3-5 examples of
foreshadowing (foreshadowing is providing hints about what will happen in the future)
where you warn what could happen if you friends don't come with you.
Objectives:
o
o
Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting your opinion with reasons and information.
Link opinions using transitional words and phrases.
Steps to Follow if You're Overwhelmed
1. Get a piece of lined paper and a pencil.
2. If you are stuck, start with the body paragraphs, which will include the reasons why
someone should immigrate to America. We will have already discussed this in class,
so this would be a good place to start. You can always come back to the introduction
later. Leave at least a half of a page for you to write your introduction later.
3. After writing your body paragraphs, if you are unable to write the introduction
and/or conclusion, write a list of specific questions you have about how to begin. Do
not write, "I don't know how to write an introduction or conclusion." What exactly is
confusing?
4. Once you have written your body paragraphs and have a list of questions about the
introduction and conclusion, you may raise your hand and call me over.
Completion Checklist
o Did I write my heading on the top of the page?
o Do I have a hook sentence? If so, highlight in yellow.
o Do I have a thesis statement? It should be written twice. Once in the introduction
and once in the conclusion. Highlight both in pink.
o Do you have the point of view of an early explorer?
o Do you have 3-5 examples of foreshadowing? Highlight in green.
o Is your conclusion at least 4 sentences in length?
o Did you proofread the essay by reading it through from beginning to end?
o Did you use your best spelling? If you had to guess, how many words are spelled
incorrectly? _______ If the answer is more than 5, circle the words you are unsure
about and look them up in the dictionary.
o Are you ready to take the draft home to type the final?
Objectives:
o
o
Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting your opinion with reasons and information.
Link opinions using transitional words and phrases.
UDL Rubric: Persuasive Essay
Advanced - 4
The introduction
orients the reader by
introducing the
narrator and organizes
the events that will
unfold in the body. The
intro is also memorable
because the hook
engages the reader.
Opinions and reasons
are linked together
using advanced
transition words (ex:
consequently,
specifically....) The
essay does not rely on
simple transition
words like first, next,
and then.
Use of foreshadowing
in the conclusion is
historically accurate
and is very persuasive
to the reader.
Proficient - 3
The introduction orients
the reader by
introducing the narrator
and organizes the events
that will unfold in the
body, but the hook lacks
creativity.
Needs Improvement - 2
The introduction either
does not orient the
reader by introducing
the narrator does not
organize the events
that will unfold in the
body.
Warning
The introduction
does not orient the
reader by
introducing the
narrator and does
not organize the
events that will
unfold in the body.
Opinions and reasons
are linked together
using some transitional
words and phrases, but
they are simple
transition words.
Opinions and reasons
are linked together
using some transitional
words and phrases, but
they are simple
transition words and
are only at the
beginning of each body
paragraph.
Opinions and
reasons are not
linked together
using transitional
words and phrases.
Use of foreshadowing in
the conclusion is
historically accurate but
only minimally
persuasive.
Use of foreshadowing
in the conclusion is not
historically accurate,
but attempts are made
to make it persuasive.
Information
from text
All opinions and
reasons are historically
accurate and well
researched in the social
studies text and
beyond.
All opinions and reasons
are historically accurate
and well researched in
the social studies text.
Language
Conventions
Grammar is
consistently accurate;
and punctuation are
accurate; no
typographical errors.
Grammar is accurate;
few errors in spelling
and punctuation; no
typographical errors.
At least two of your
opinions and reasons
are historically
accurate and well
researched in the social
studies text and
beyond.
Sentences are generally
correct in structure;
may display isolated
serious errors or
frequent minor errors
that do not interfere
with meaning.
Use of
foreshadowing in
the conclusion is
not historically
accurate nor
persuasive.
Two of more of your
opinions and
reasons are not
historically
accurate. Seems to
be too much a work
of fiction.
The essay may
contain serious and
distracting errors in
grammar and
punctuation as well
as numerous minor
errors and frequent
misspellings.
Introduction
Organization
Foreshadow
Final grade:
20 - Advanced
14 - 19 - Proficient
11 - 13 - Needs Improvement
10 or below - Warning
Teacher Comments:
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