Organizing Your Persuasive Essay

Introduction Your first paragraph.

Sentence 1: Hook A statement that engages the reader.

Sentence 2: Topic overview What we need to know to understand your topic.

Sentence 3: ThesisYour position on this topic.

Sentence 4, 5, 6: Supporting DetailsThe details that support your position. You find these with research.

Sentence 7: ConclusionThis sentence repeats your thesis.

Introduction Paragraph

Do I have the right to express myself through my clothes? For many years people have been debating the pros and cons of requiring students to wear a uniform. I believe that there are many reasons why uniforms should be required in school. Most importantly, uniforms create a safer school. Uniforms also help students resist the peer pressure to buy expensive and trendy clothes. Finally, uniforms improve attendance. These reasons are just a few that support why uniforms should be required in school.

Transition Words

• Words that help your shift your thoughts from one topic to another.

• Words that bring your thoughts together. • Words that help you emphasize your

thoughts.• Words that provide examples to support your

thoughts.• Words that show sequence.• Words that bring a tone to your paper.

 

Add Information:

againbesides

moreoveranother

for insurancetogether with

andlikewiseas well

furthermoreadditionally

along withalso

for exampleequally important

further

Conclude or Summarize:

in shortfinally

in summaryin conclusion

consequentlydue to

all in allas a result

accordinglyto sum up

thustherefore

Contrast two things or show a difference:

butotherwise

even though conversely

even so

yethowever

counter toon the other hand

as opposed to

in the meantimeon the contrarynevertheless

still

Emphasize a point:again

indeedto repeat

trulyin fact

to emphasize

for this reasonwith this in mind

Show similarities:

in the same mannerin the same way

also

likewiselike

both

assimilarly

Clarify:

that isin other words

put another waystated differently

to clarifyfor insurance

Show location:

aboveacrossagainst along

alongsideamid

in front of

near amongaround

away fromback ofbehindbelow

insideoff

beneathbeside

betweenbeyond

bydown

intoonto

on top ofthroughout

outsideto the right

overunder

Show time:

aboutafter

atfirst

secondthird

prior tosubsequently

untilmeanwhile

todaytomorrow

beforesoon later

afterwardimmediately

finally

duringin conclusion

nextin the meantime

as soon asthen

Moving on to the body of your paragraph.

You will use transition words here.

Body paragraphsBody paragraph 1- Reason/ 3 pieces of

evidence

Body paragraph 2- Reason/3 pieces of evidence

Body paragraph- 3 Reason/3 pieces of

evidence

Body Paragraph FormulaSentence #1: Transition word and topic sentence in your own words.

Sentence #2: Transition word and first piece of evidence to support topic. Sentence #3: Analysis of first piece of evidence. Explain how it relates to topic sentence.

Sentence # 4- Transition word and second piece of evidence. Sentence # 5- Analysis of second piece of evidence.

Sentence # 6- Transition word and third piece of evidence.Sentence # 7- Analysis of third piece of evidence.

Sentence # 8- Transisition word and concluding sentence in your own words.

First paragraph of the body of my essay.

Most importantly, uniforms have a positive impact on school safety.

For example, schools in Long Beach, CA noted that crime dropped by 91% and school suspensions were lowered by 90% within a year of implementing a uniform policy (Public). With less fear of crime, students can shift their focus to learning.

Similarly, these same schools recorded a 69% drop in acts of vandalism (Public). Fewer incidents of vandalism translate to a safer environment.

Finally, Lynne Isaacson notes, “Uniforms are said to reduce gang influence, minimize violence by reducing some sources of conflict, and help to identify trespassers” (Isaacson, 2004, para. 4). In short, uniforms create a greater sense of equality, which leads to an increased sense of safety. Uniforms also allow administrators to maintain security by quickly identifying those who do not belong in the school setting.

With these facts in mind, it is once again important to note that uniforms make schools safer for all students and staff members.

Note• The first sentence is your topic. This is in your own words.

• All three pieces of evidence relate and support your topic sentence.

• All analysis of your evidence explain your evidence in your own words.

• Use transition words.

• Your conclusion sentence is in your own words.

• There should be at least 8 sentences in each paragraph.

Bibliography

 "Public School Uniform Statistics." - Education Bug. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Jan. 2013.

http://www.educationbug.org/a/public-school-uniform-statistics.html

http://character-education.info/Articles/Case_for_Uniforms.htm

http://www.schoolsecurity.org/resources/uniforms.html

ConclusionRestate thesis

Summarize evidence End with something memorable!