Writing a Persuasive Essay

English 1 CP
Mrs. Rhyne
Writing 2.4

Persuasive Essay Outline

I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.

Introduction
Supporting Argument #1
Supporting Argument #2
Concession Paragraph
Conclusion

Introduction

Hook (question, fact, quote, story)

State the issue/topic
Give background info on the topic
State your position/opinion with two
reasons=THESIS

Example Thesis

Subject: Capital Punishment

Thesis: The death penalty should be
abolished because it is immoral,
allows the criminal an easy death
without remorse, and costs tax
payers a considerable amount of
money
Three

pieces of evidence are

underlined.

Supporting Argument #1

Give argument (reason #1)=TOPIC

SENTENCE
Support argument (examples, facts,
anecdotes, quotes, etc.)
This should be the strongest argument
in favor of your position
*Reasons are not the same as examples
Reasons show why your opinion is valid
Examples show how your opinion is valid

Example Supporting Argument

Thesis: Although many believe it is acceptable to

take the life of a murderer, the death penalty should
be abolished because it is immoral, allows the
criminal an easy death without remorse, and costs
tax payers a considerable amount of money

Using pathos: The death penalty is immoral

and should be abolished. Sticking a needle
filled with a slow-murdering poison into
someones arm is awful. Strapping a human
being into a chair and then blasting him with
a 1,000 volts of electricity is unforgivable.
Killing another person is inhumane. Murder is
murder. Thus, the death penalty should be
abolished.

Supporting Argument #2

Give argument (reason #2) =TOPIC

SENTENCE
Support argument (with examples,
facts, anecdotes, quotes, etc.)
*Reasons are not the same as
examples
Reasons show why your opinion is valid
Examples show how your opinion is valid

Example Supporting Argument

Thesis: Although many believe it is acceptable to take the life

of a murderer, the death penalty should be abolished because
it is immoral, allows the criminal an easy death without
remorse, and costs tax payers a considerable amount of
money

Using logos: The death penalty allows a criminal to

die without expressing remorse for his/her crime.
Living each day with the knowledge that you killed
someone is a far worse punishment. Death is
almost instant, but regret lasts forever. According to
Dr. Hall, behavioral psychologist at Whichever Prison
in Madison, WI, cites research detailing the
behaviors of prisoners who did not receive the death
penalty but committed murder. Dr. Hall writes that
these prisoners exhibit signs of severe depression
and often seek therapy.

Concession Paragraph: AKA The

Counter Argument

Give best argument against your

opinion=TOPIC SENTENCE
Tell why this argument is wrong
Support what you say (examples,
facts, anecdotes, quotes, etc.)

Example Concession

Thesis: Although many believe it is acceptable to take the life

of a murderer, the death penalty should be abolished because
it is immoral, allows the criminal an easy death without
remorse, and costs tax payers a considerable amount of
money

Concession: Although the death penalty eliminates

costly prison terms, it still costs tax payers a
considerable about of money. Execution is not
cheap. According to Blah Blah, the death penalty
costs tax payers 12 gazillion dollars a year. These
funds would be better used building roads,
providing resources to public schools, or digging the
economy out of recession.

Conclusion

Summarize all arguments (restate

your opinion/thesis)
Close with a statement that
supports your position
Call to action (what the audience
should do or what will happen if
they dont do what you want them
to do)

Other Important Tips for Writing a

Persuasive Essay

It is okay to use I, you, we, etc.

Make sure your strongest argument comes
first.
Remember to use ethos, logos, and pathos.
Your 4th paragraph MUST be your
concession paragraph.
In your conclusion, leave the reader with a
lasting impression of your opinion.
Prove that you are right with examples.