WRITING A PERSUASIVE ESSAY

The reading and writing workshop  requires all students to pass 

the writing prompt prior to start the course.  This WebQuest was designed to guide 
you as you write a five paragraph essay.

Your teacher will provide you with the writing prompt and any articles 
related to the topic.

Published for the first time on April, 2014, Last updated July 23, 2015 by Freddy Vanegas

freddy.v@ula.ve

Your mission is to write a well written 5 paragraph persuasive essay. Follow the step by step directions and be sure to utilize the graphic organizers and writing tools. Begin by reviewing the prompt given to you by your instructor. 

Last updated July 23, 2015 by Freddy Vanegas

freddy.v@ula.ve

PRE-WRITING

Step 1.  Review the writing prompt. 

Step 2.  Read the information given to you and highlight key points.

Step 3.  Complete a comparison chart to compare two points of view of the topic.

Step 4.  Decide on your point of view.

Step 5.  Select 3-4 main points in your arguement.

Step 6.  Complete a graphic organizer before you begin to write.

Step 7.  Develop your thesis sentence.

WRITING

Step 9.  Write your opening paragraph, mention your 3 points you will be 

           expanding on in your following paragraphs.

Step 10. Write your 2nd paragraph using your first main point.  Include 

           details to support your point.

Step 11. Write your 3rd paragraph using your next main point.  Include 

           details to support your point.

Step 12. Write your 4th paragraph using your third main poing.  Include

         details to support your point.

Step 13. Write your conclusion paragraph restating your thesis and your

          three main points.  Be sure to end with a power statement or final

          thought for the reader to consider.

Step 14. Type your essay

POST-WRITING

Step 15. Proofread your work for spelling and grammar errors.

Step 16. Review your paper to ensure you used effective vocabulary and

          transitions.

Step 17. Print out a final copy of your essay.

Step 18. Using the rubric, assess your writing and give yourself a score.

Step 19. Complete the writing reflection.

Step 20. Paperclip your final copy to your writing reflection and hand in.

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Persuasive Writing Strategies and Tips

 The goal of persuasive writing is to convince readers to share your view or opinion of an issue by appealing to their reason and emotions. Effective persuasive writing is a blend of both opinion and fact. The facts ideally support your opinion, demonstrating its legitimacy to the reader.

Strategies and Tips for Writing a Persuasive Essay:

• Take a clear position that agrees or disagrees with the issue discussed in readings
• Support your position with accurate information from the readings.
• Use evidence or information from all three of the readings
• Organize your ideas logically and effectively
• Keep your intended audience in mind and use the language that is appropriate to them

Strategies and Tips for Taking a Position:

• What is the main issue causing the debate?
• What arguments are presented in the articles support or oppose the main issues?
• Make two columns of notes to separate the issues
• Which side of the issue includes the strongest and most believable evidence to back up each argument?

Strategies and Tips for Supporting your Position:

• Which side of the issue includes the most arguments that make sense to you?
• Do you have any strong opinions on this issue outside of the articles you’ve read?
• What additional prior knowledge or experience with the issue can you bring to the debate?

Strategies and Tips for Assessing your Persuasive Writing:

• Take a Position: Did you take a clear position, one that agrees or disagrees with the issue discussed in the readings?
• Support: Did you support your position with accurate information from the readings?
• Comprehensiveness: Did you use evidence or information from all three readings?
• Organization: Did you organize your ideas logically and effectively?
• Fluency: Did you express your ideas clearly, using appropriate language?

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Two Sides to Every Story

Write the topic in your own words in the space below:

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Five Paragraph Essay Outline

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Transitions

• Transitions keep thoughts flowing smoothly from sentence to sentence and from paragraph to paragraph.
• A new paragraph should begin with a sentence that suggests the new element and connects the new element to that in the preceding paragraph.
• Try to begin every paragraph with a transition word or phrase.

Additionally                              Accordingly                                         Another                              

As a result                                Assuming

At last                                      At the same time                                 Another (point)

Although                                  Again                                                   As well as

Above all                                 Also                                                     A second factor

Beyond                                    Beginning with                                     Continuing

Compared/comparing to         Corresponding to                                Considering

Equally important                    Ever since                                           Finally

First, second                           For one reason                                    Following

Furthermore                            For that reason                                    For example

For instance                            In short                                                In connection

In other words                         In addition                                            In conclusion

In fact                                      In agreement/disagreement with        However

Last, lastly                               Likewise                                              Moreover

More importantly                     Needless to say                                  Of major concern

Over and above                      On the other hand                               Otherwise

On the contrary                       Previously                                           Prior to

Reinforcing                             Since                                                   Through out

To begin with                           To sum up                                           Therefore

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Last updated July 23, 2015 by Freddy Vanegas

freddy.v@ula.ve

Writing Short Essay Rubric

Place a check mark on the corresponding circle for each criterion in order to evaluate the short essay. Then, sum them up to obtain the final score.

 Last updated July 23, 2015 by Freddy Vanegas

freddy.v@ula.ve

Writing Reflection

Directions: Write a thoughtful and reflective paragraph to answer the following questions.

• Reflect on why you consider this writing piece to be a representation of your quality work.

• Discuss how this assignment demonstrate your growth as a learner.

• Describe how this assignment provides evidence of your commitment to your academic program.

Last updated July 23, 2015 by Freddy Vanegas

freddy.v@ula.ve

PROFESOR FREDDY VANEGAS

NÚCLEO  RAFAEL RANGEL DE LA UNIVERSIDAD DE LOS ANDES

VENEZUELA

Last updated July 23, 2015 by Freddy Vanegas

freddy.v@ula.ve