Max: Hero or not?

A Persuasive Essay

Packet p. 12-16

Agenda for 1/21:

OAfter attendance, please return books and teacher will cross your name off pink sign out sheet.

OComplete rough draft for first two paragraphs (packet p. 12-13)

O If you do not finish, this is HOMEWORK DUE TOMORROW.

Paragraph #1: IntroductionO Hook

O In persuasive writing, a writer takes a position FOR or AGAINST an issue and writes to convince the reader (or audience with a speech) to believe or do something.

O The introduction should have a HOOK that certain something that grabs or catches the reader’s attention. Here are a few examples:

O Open with an unusual detail or statistic, startling or striking fact from an authoritative source – Thirteen teachers, two students and one police officer killed in a Munich, Germany high school; thirteen students killed and dozens wounded in Littleton, Colorado at Columbine High School…

O Open with a strong statement – Cigarettes are the number one cause of lighter sales in Canada!

O Open with a quotation – Elbert Hubbard once said, “Truth is stronger than fiction.”

Paragraph #1: IntroductionO Claim:

O Use your claim from top of p. 10O Be sure to include author, title (underlined), and what

you intend to prove.O DO NOT USE FIRST PERSON (ex. “I”/”me”)

O Evidence: O When presenting your arguments, DO NOT discuss

examples. JUST present the traits that Max exhibits.O Ex: “Max is a hero based on his bravery and courage.”

O Also include how not everyone would agree that Max is a hero based on your chosen counterargument trait, but that will be addressed later in the essay.

Paragraph #2: Body paragraph

OClaim: Present Max’s first heroic trait.OExample sentence: Based on his

actions in the novel, Max exudes the heroic trait of courage.

OExample sentence: Max completes many heroic deeds in the novel.

OExample sentence: Every hero must sacrifice for his or her cause, and Max does just that in the novel.

Paragraph #2: Body paragraph

O Evidence:O First discuss what the trait means/ entails.

O Ex: Courage is the way the hero faces a challenge or obstacle despite their fear.

O Then prove how Max displays that that trait using two specific examples (direct quotes or paraphrases) WITH PAGE #s.

O Reasoning/Realization:O Explain how your examples prove Max has the

heroic trait.O Explain how this trait makes Max a hero.

Paragraph 4: Counterargument

OClaim:O Introduce what someone would argue

against you, and that they are wrong.OEx: Some may argue that Max is not a

hero because he is insecure, but he actually grows quite confident.

OEx: Though it can be argued that Max has no special abilities or powers, he has certain extraordinary abilities.

OCROSS OUT:OExplanation of counterargumentORebuttal

Paragraph 4: Counterargument

Paragraph 4: Counterargument

O Evidence: O Present example from p. 11 in which opposition may

say Max lacks the trait. O Include page #

O TRANSITION (from Max not having the to trait to having the trait)

O Evidence: O NOW introduce example from p. 11 that proves Max

actually DOES have the trait.O Include page #

Paragraph 4: Counterargument

O Reasoning/Realization:

O How does the first example show that Max lacks the heroic trait?

O How does the second example prove that he has the trait after all?

O Therefore, how does this support your claim?

Conclusion: Paragraph 5

O Claim:O Use a transitionO Restate your claim in a different way

O Evidence:O Review the three traits you discussed that prove

your claim.

O Realization/reasoning:O What do these traits prove about Max?O What did you realize about