Essay ReviewThe Persuasive Essay

• ENG 3UI• Ms. Frayne

The Typical 5 Paragraph EssayIntroduction

(Hook - Thesis – Argument Indicators)

1st Supporting Argument(Point - Evidence - Explanation)

Conclusion(Restate Thesis - Recap Arguments -

Universal Statement)

2nd Supporting Argument(Point - Evidence - Explanation)

3rd Supporting Argument(Point - Evidence - Explanation)

Hook – Introduce topic(anecdote, definition, description, questions,

etc.?)

Introduction(Hook - Thesis – Argument

Indicators)

1st Supporting Argument

(Point - Evidence - Explanation)

Conclusion(Restate Thesis - Recap Arguments -

Universal Statement)

2nd Supporting Argument

(Point - Evidence - Explanation)3rd Supporting Argument

(Point - Evidence - Explanation)

Think Beyond “5”Thesis and Argument Indicators

1st Supporting ArgumentExample #1 (P-E-E)

1st Supporting ArgumentExample #2 (P-E-E)

2nd Supporting ArgumentExample #1 (P-E-E)

3rd Supporting ArgumentExample #1 (P-E-E)

3rd Supporting ArgumentExample #2 (P-E-E)

Paragraphs . . .

Conclusion(Restate Thesis - Recap Arguments -

Universal Statement)

The Persuasive EssayIn the persuasive essay, you must

defend your side of an argument. You are no longer merely showing, you are convincing.

It is always best to take a side that you believe in, preferably with the most supporting evidence.

The Persuasive Essay must:present a side and make a case for it,

consider and refute alternative /counter arguments,

*Be aware of other sides, but be fair to them; dismissing them

completely may weaken your own argument).

prove to the undecided reader that the opinion presented is the best one.

Counter-Argument When you write an essay you present a thesis

and offer evidence to support its truth . . .

When you counter-argue, you consider a possible

argument against your thesis. It allows you to

anticipate and pre-empt objections that a skeptical

reader might have.

Counter-Argument has 2 Stages: 1. Turn against your argument to challenge it Many people may [believe/argue/feel/think/suppose/etc.] that [state the

counter-argument] It is often [argued/imagined/supposed/etc.] that [state the counter-argument] [It would be easy to/One could easily] [think/believe/argue/etc.] that [state

the counter-argument] It might [seem/appear/look/etc.] as if [state the counter-argument here]

2. Turn back to your argument to re-affirm it.

What this argument [overlooks/fails to consider/does not take into account] is ...

This view [seems/looks/sounds] [convincing/plausible/persuasive/etc.] at first, but ...

. . . but, . . . yet, . . . however, . . . nevertheless , . . . Still

Where to Put a Counter-Argument?as part of your introduction—before you

propose your thesis—where the existence of a different view is the motive for your essay, the reason it needs writing;

as a section or paragraph just after your introduction, in which you lay out the expected reaction or standard position before turning away to develop your own;

as a quick move within a paragraph, where you imagine a counter-argument not to your main idea but to the sub-idea that the paragraph is arguing or is about to argue

Tools of PersuasionLogic—convincing facts/evidence;Rhetorical Devices—writing techniques

that help state your case eloquently, in a way that will reach the hearts and minds of your audience;

Persistence—rarely are people persuaded immediately or easily.

In addition to using counter-arguments, a good persuasive essay includes . . .

Rhetorical Devices Rhetorical Question  

Can we really expect the school to keep paying from its limited resources?

Emotive language Imagine being cast out into the street, cold, lonely and frightened.

Parallel structures To show kindness is praiseworthy; to show hatred is evil.

Contrast Sometimes we have to be cruel to be kind.

Description and Imagery (i.e. using metaphor, simile and personification)

While we wait and do nothing, we must not forget that the fuse is already burning.

Power of Three I ask you, is this fair, is it right, is it just?

Repetition Evil minds will use evil means.

Hyperbole (using

exaggeration for effect)While we await your decision, the whole school holds its breath.

SourcesElmore, Phil. “The Tools of Persuasion.” Phil Elmore Individual Authoring Services. Web. 25 November 2004 Harvey, Gordon. “Counter-Argument.” Harvard University Faculty of Arts and Sciences. 1999. Web. 2 October 2010.

Oldham, Davis. “What is a Counter-Argument?”. Shoreline Community College. Web. 2 October

2010.

“The Persuasive Essay.” The Department of English, University of Victoria. 1995. Web. 2 October 2010.