Persuasive Compositions

The sixth graders have started writing Persuasive works.  Last week, the sixth graders wrote a paragraph choosing if expensive brands and labels are worth the high prices.  Below is a outline format we would like the students to follow when writing their Persuasive Composition.  The district writing rubrics can be found on the district website homepage.

Persuasive Composition Outline

I.            Hook: An opening sentence that attracts or “hooks” the reader’s attention

INTERPRET your hook (powerful statement, quote, or fact)

Background Information: What you may already know about the topic in favor of your argument.  Remind readers of the important information about your topic. 

Argument: Your THESIS STATEMENT – one clear sentence stating what your composition is about

II.   Reason 1: a REASON, BENEFIT, or an ADVANTAGE to support your argument. 

1.     Evidence 1: may consist of facts, examples, statistics, or real life experiences that supports your reason

l  Interpretation:  Explain and Extend

2.    Evidence 2: “same”

l  Interpretation:

3.    Evidence 3: “same”

l  Interpretation:

III.  Reason 2: a REASON, BENEFIT, or an ADVANTAGE to support your argument. 

1.     Evidence 1:may consist of facts, examples, statistics, or real life experiences that supports your reason

l  Interpretation:  Explain and Extend

2.    Evidence 2: “same”

l  Interpretation:

3.    Evidence 3: “same”

l  Interpretation:

IV.  Reason 3: a REASON, BENEFIT, or an ADVANTAGE to support your argument. 

1.     Evidence 1:may consist of facts, examples, statistics, or real life experiences that supports your reason

l  Interpretation:  Explain and Extend

2.    Evidence 2: “same”

l  Interpretation:

3.    Evidence 3: “same”

l  Interpretation:

V.       Argument: restatement of the argument

          Summarize Reasons:  restatement of the three reasons that support your argument

          Exit Sentence: a prediction, question, recommendation, or quotation.  Strongest     sentence.