Part A:

Choose a topic of interest. Make sure to pick a topic you find interesting and one that lends itself to the persuasive essay format. Once you have chosen your issue, please write a brief explanation of why you have selected the case and why you feel it is appropriate for the persuasive essay format.

Part B:

Research your topic, and find at leastthreeto five credible sources that can be used to prove your thesis statement. Create a Works Cited page with the sources you have found. Please explain briefly why you chose the sources and why you believe them credible. Refer to Unit 2, Activity 3 for a review of credible sources and how to do a Works Cited page if needed.

Part C:

Write a draft thesis statement for your persuasive essay.

Before you begin your tasks for this activity, download the handout:Reflecting on Your Writing Process. The bookletand will help to guide you through the before, during and after stages of the writing process for this activity and the ones that follow.

Introductory Paragraph

1. Lead-in Statement: (Hook - Get the reader's attention) Make a striking assertion, or use an interesting detail. Let your reader know about the broad subject of your essay.

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2. Explain how and/or why the hook applies to the book or the topic of the essay. Why did you choose this "hook"?

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3. This sentence should state the main topic of the essay.

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4. Transition Sentence that connects the "body" of the intro. Paragraphsignificant to the thesis statement.

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5. APPROVEDTHESIS STATEMENT: (Copy as approved - Topic/Opinion plus three "arguments."

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Body Paragraph (s) # _____

The topic sentence should be a central argument supporting the thesis statement - this is the topic of the following paragraph.

1. Topic Sentence for argument 1 of the thesis:

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1. Introduce point A:

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1. Specific evidence to support point A.

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1. Explanation/discussion of the relevance of the above evidence to the topic sentence:

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1. Introduce point B:

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1. Specific evidence to support point B.

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1. Explanation/discussion of the relevance of the above evidence to the topic sentence:

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1. Punch Sentence: Summarize and clarify the paragraph's relation to the thesis.

(How is this paragraph important to the thesis and my "so what"?)

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Body Paragraph (s) #

1. Topic Sentence for argument 2 of the thesis:

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1. Introduce point A:

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1. Specific evidence to support point A.

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1. Explanation/discussion of the relevance of the above evidence to the topic sentence:

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1. Introduce point B:

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1. Specific evidence to support point B.

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1. Explanation/discussion of the relevance of the above evidence to the topic sentence:

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1. Punch Sentence: Summarize and clarify the paragraph's relation to the thesis.

(How is this paragraph important to the thesis and my "so what"?)

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Body Paragraph (s) # _____

1. Topic Sentence for argument 3 of the thesis:

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1. Introduce point A:

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1. Specific evidence to support point A.

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1. Explanation/discussion of the relevance of the above evidence to the topic sentence:

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1. Introduce point B:

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1. Specific evidence to support point B.

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1. Explanation/discussion of the relevance of the above evidence to the topic sentence:

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1. Punch Sentence: Summarize and clarify the paragraph's relation to the thesis.

(How is this paragraph important to the thesis and my "so what"?)

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Concluding Paragraph

1. Echo or recap your thesis. Then, restate it in a new way.

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2/ 3. Restate the critical supporting points that you have argued.

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4. Clincher - Wrap up and confirm the value and importance of your "so what." Do not include

any new evidence in this paragraph. Choose your words carefully and aim for a tone of finality.

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