Preparing to write your first persuasive essay

Some reminders:

The function of a body paragraph is to support your main idea, or thesis. In persuasive writing, you make a claim or assertion in response to a prompt, and then you have to prove it. To prove your thesis, you write body paragraphs.

Whether you have one or two body paragraphs really depends on you and what you prefer.

Body paragraphs generally go like this:

1. A topic sentence that introduces your example and uses at least 1 key word from your thesis.
2. Details that fully illustrate your example. (Think: proper nouns, who/what/when/where/why/how)
3. Analysis. Explain how your example proves your thesis. Remember, you're trying to persuade, not inform. It is your job to explain why the example you've given should persuade your audience. Explain it like you're explaining it to a stranger.

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A note about conclusions. Remember this hourglass shape?

The general "shape" of an essay.

Notice that the conclusion happens at the bottom of the page, where it widens back out. In your conclusion, "zoom out" from  your examples. Talk about the topic again in a broad way. Use the key words again. Most importantly, this is your last persuasive moment with your audience. Instead of restating your thesis, explain how this issue relates to your audience. In other words, tell your reader why it matters to them, or why it should matter. (Think: pathos.)

So let's say you've just written about jobs.
For your conclusion: Why do jobs matter?
It's not just about jobs. It's about providing a quality of life for your family. 

Let's say you've written about how big cities have better schools, or a choice of schools.
For your conclusion: Why does this matter?
Because it's not just about the school. It's about achievement. Giving yourself opportunities. Investing in yourself. Developing a sense of pride.

Let's say you've written that a small town is better because of the lack of pollution.
For your conclusion: Why does this matter?
It's not just about pollution. It's about... what? What wider issue is at hand?

So tomorrow, when you sit to write the essay, think about this hourglass shape, and think about how that applies to your conclusion.