Writing a Persuasive Essay: Outline Strategy

Outline Strategy

1. 
   Make a general statement about the topic ( Hook the reader)
   

2. 
   State your opinion about the topic. (Thesis)
   

3. 
   State three reasons in support of your opinion (Establish framework for paragraphs)
   

Paragraph 2

1. 
   State your first reason for your opinion
   

2. 
   Give one piece of evidence to support this reason and explain it.
   

3. 
   State a second piece of evidence to support this reason and explain it
   

4. 
   State a third piece of evidence to support this reason and explain it
   

5. 
   Write a sentence to connect reasons and evidence to your opinion
   

Paragraph 3:

1. 
   Use a transition word and state your second reason for your opinion
   

2. 
   Give one piece of evidence to support this reason and explain it.
   

3. 
   State a second piece of evidence to support this reason and explain it
   

4. 
   State a third piece of evidence to support this reason and explain it
   

5. 
   Write a sentence to connect reasons and evidence to your opinion
   

Paragraph 4:

1. 
   Use a transition word and state your third reason for your opinion
   

2. 
   Give one piece of evidence to support this reason and explain it.
   

3. 
   State a second piece of evidence to support this reason and explain it
   

4. 
   State a third piece of evidence to support this reason and explain it
   

5. 
   Write a sentence to connect reasons and evidence to your opinion
   

Paragraph 5: Conclusion

Outline Strategy

2.
3.

2.
3.

Paragraph 4:

Paragraph 5: Conclusion

Pre-writing and Writing Activities

Suggested activities – whole class or small group

Use information from graphic organizers, a list of information generated by the teacher or the class as a basis for discussion

• 
  Compare and contrast
  

• 
  Look for ways to classify the information – positive traits of a character; political, economic and social factors; chemical changes and physical changes;
  

• 
  Identify cause and effect
  

• 
  Identify similarities and differences
  

• 
  As a class or in small groups, develop several thematic statements about the information
  

• 
  Ask students to write a paragraph in response to one of the thematic statements
  

• 
  Use a structured activity as a pre-writing activity. For example, develop five questions related to a specific set of facts. Divide class into 5 groups, one question per group. Ask students to discuss the question and decide what is being asked, list 5 facts they would use to respond to the question and develop a controlling idea or thesis. Each group can then share the question and their work. This is a good review prior to a test or exam
  

• 
  Lesson activities may include reading and discussion, panel discussion, informal debate, writing a skit, in particular a dialogue expressing 2 different points of view, a mock trial or large group and small group outlining of a draft essay