Essay Outline

Persuasive Essay Format

This outline comes from the following website: http://www2.powayusd.com/teachers/kkangas/Language%20Arts/Writing/persuasive_essay_format.htm  (view it here)

Intro:

*Immediately engage reader (attention getter)

·       get the reader “in the ballpark”

          *Establish context (topic of essay)

·       usually 2-3 sentences narrowing down to the point of the paper

·       cite your source with title and author (if using one source)

          *Strong & complete thesis statement

Body:

*Begin paragraphs with a clear, concise topic sentence

·       *Use concrete details (CD)

·       these include facts or quotes

·       cite sources when necessary (simplified: such as author’s last name & pg #)

·       *Create insightful commentary to support concrete details (2-3 comments per CD)

·       shoot for at least 2 CD per paragraph (+ commentary)

          *Address a counter argument

·       include a rebuttal defending your thesis (which includes CD and commentary)

                    

Conclusion:
       *Transition into summary of key points

*Restate thesis (say it another way!)

*Refer back to the attention getter and tie things up

       *Answer “So what?”

·       Leave reader feeling persuaded or at least challenged

·       This personal comment can include a universal observation
(a prediction), a call to action (a recommendation) or a scare
(a veiled threat)

Suggested sentence starter for commentary:

        “This shows that…” (eventually teach kids to eliminate it)

        “This proves that…”

“This demonstrates that…”

Suggested sentence starters for counter:

“On the other hand, some people believe ______...”
“One may argue _________; however, _____...”

Suggested sentence starters for conclusion:

        “We need to…”

        “It’s our responsibility to …”

        “It’s important to…”

        “In order to______, we must…”

        “It would be to our benefit to…”

Encourage:
        Incorporate transitions           
        Use high-level vocab

Vary sentence patterns          
Create a strong “voice”

        Show a logical argument throughout
        Edit well

*The number of paragraphs and the organization of the essay will vary.