Writing the Persuasive Essay

Graphic Organizer

• An effective persuasive essay should be well-organized and clear

• The graphic organizer helps organize your thoughts before you begin writing

• Use the front side for identifying your thesis and key reasons

• Use the back side for identifying the support for each reason

COUNTER-ARGUMNENT REFUTATION

(body paragraph 3 – part 2)

COUNTER-ARGUMNENT (body paragraph 3 – part 1)

Scylla struck the most fear in to sailor’s hearts by the viciousness of her attacks

Scylla could not be avoided except by sheer luck – certain death lay ahead for at least 6 men

THESIS

REASON #1 (body paragraph 1) REASON #1 (body paragraph 1)

The Lastrygoneans were more dangerous – there were more of them and they actually killed more men

The Lastrygoneans could have been avoided with more caution

Scylla was the most dangerous creature

Odysseus faced

2

1

3 Counter-argument

Refutation

Reason (Trait) Support

The Lastrygoneans could have been avoided with more caution

The Lastrygoneans were more dangerous – there were more of them and they actually killed more men

Scylla struck the most fear in to sailor’s hearts by the viciousness of her attacks

Scylla was basically a mountain on the edge of a narrow strait – could hardly be seen before it was too lateNo defense against her: “As I sent them on toward Scylla, I / told them nothing, as they could do nothing” (783-6).In avoiding Scylla, a boat would be pulled into Charybdis’ mouth, destroying everyone

Scylla could not be avoided except by sheer luck – certain death lay ahead for at least 6 men

Basic Essay Structure

• Introduction - states your thesis and briefly states your supporting reasons

• Body paragraphs – each one gives one distinct reason to support your thesis

• Conclusion – Reminds readers of your thesis

You can transfer your graphic organizer notes DIRECTLY to your essay.

Body Paragraphs

• Each body paragraph gives a distinct reason that supports your thesis

• Each body paragraph has the same basic structure:– Topic Sentence (the paragraph’s main point)– Support/Example (your reason for thinking so)– Elaboration

• So what?• How does this prove the point?• What related points does this possibly connect to?

A mountain of gray rock sitting on the edge of the narrow

straight, Scylla was virtually impossible to avoid. Only by the sheer

luck, or help from the gods, sailors might not be noticed as they passed

by. But it doesn’t seem that this would often happen. Scylla, on the

other hand, could barely even be seen by approaching ships. Once Scylla

saw a ship, she would always strike, and there was no way to defend

against her, as Odysseus knew: “As I sent them on toward Scylla, I / told

them nothing, as they could do nothing. / They would have dropped their

oars again, in panic, / to roll for cover under the decking” (783-6).

Avoiding Scylla by sailing out of her reach was also impossible;

Charybdis, the great sea beast that created a churning whirlpool and

could swallow a ship whole, would destroy any ship that strayed out of

Scylla’s reach. Charybdis could be avoided – but only by scrificing six

men to Scylla.

Paragraph Example: Body

You can transfer your graphic organizer notes DIRECTLY to your essay.

2

1

3 Counter-argument

Refutation

Reason (Trait) Support

The Lastrygoneans could have been avoided with more caution

The Lastrygoneans were more dangerous – there were more of them and they actually killed more men

Scylla struck the most fear in to sailor’s hearts by the viciousness of her attacks

Scylla could not be avoided except by sheer luck – certain death lay ahead for at least 6 men

Scylla was basically a mountain on the edge of a narrow strait – could hardly be seen before it was too lateNo defense against her: “As I sent them on toward Scylla, I / told them nothing, as they could do nothing” (783-6).In avoiding Scylla, a boat would be pulled into Charybdis’ mouth, destroying everyone

A mountain of gray rock sitting on the edge of the narrow

straight, Scylla was virtually impossible to avoid. Only by the sheer

luck, or help from the gods, sailors might not be noticed as they passed

by. But it doesn’t seem that this would often happen. Scylla, on the

other hand, could barely even be seen by approaching ships. Once Scylla

saw a ship, she would always strike, and there was no way to defend

against her, as Odysseus knew: “As I sent them on toward Scylla, I / told

them nothing, as they could do nothing. / They would have dropped their

oars again, in panic, / to roll for cover under the decking” (783-6).

Avoiding Scylla by sailing out of her reach was also impossible;

Charybdis, the great sea beast that created a churning whirlpool and

could swallow a ship whole, would destroy any ship that strayed out of

Scylla’s reach. Charybdis could be avoided – but only by scrificing six

men to Scylla.

Topic sentence

Paragraph Example: Body

Scylla was basically a mountain on the edge of a narrow strait – could hardly be seen before it was too lateNo defense against her: “As I sent them on toward Scylla, I / told them nothing, as they could do nothing” (783-6).In avoiding Scylla, a boat would be pulled into Charybdis’ mouth, destroying everyone

2

1

3 Counter-argument

Refutation

Reason (Trait) Support

The Lastrygoneans could have been avoided with more caution

The Lastrygoneans were more dangerous – there were more of them and they actually killed more men

Scylla struck the most fear in to sailor’s hearts by the viciousness of her attacks

Scylla could not be avoided except by sheer luck – certain death lay ahead for at least 6 men

A mountain of gray rock sitting on the edge of the narrow

strait, Scylla was virtually impossible to avoid. Only by the sheer

luck, or help from the gods, sailors might not be noticed as they passed

by. But it doesn’t seem that this would often happen. Scylla, on the

other hand, could barely even be seen by approaching ships. Once Scylla

saw a ship, she would always strike, and there was no way to defend

against her, as Odysseus knew: “As I sent them on toward Scylla, I / told

them nothing, as they could do nothing. / They would have dropped their

oars again, in panic, / to roll for cover under the decking” (783-6).

Avoiding Scylla by sailing out of her reach was also impossible;

Charybdis, the great sea beast that created a churning whirlpool and

could swallow a ship whole, would destroy any ship that strayed out of

Scylla’s reach. Charybdis could be avoided – but only by scrificing six

men to Scylla.

Topic sentence

Paragraph Example: Body

Support #1: Straight from notes

Scylla was basically a mountain on the edge of a narrow strait – could hardly be seen before it was too lateNo defense against her: “As I sent them on toward Scylla, I / told them nothing, as they could do nothing” (783-6).In avoiding Scylla, a boat would be pulled into Charybdis’ mouth, destroying everyone

2

1

3 Counter-argument

Refutation

Reason (Trait) Support

The Lastrygoneans could have been avoided with more caution

The Lastrygoneans were more dangerous – there were more of them and they actually killed more men

Scylla struck the most fear in to sailor’s hearts by the viciousness of her attacks

Scylla could not be avoided except by sheer luck – certain death lay ahead for at least 6 men

A mountain of gray rock sitting on the edge of the narrow

straight, Scylla was virtually impossible to avoid. Only by the sheer

luck, or help from the gods, sailors might not be noticed as they passed

by. But it doesn’t seem that this would often happen. Scylla, on the

other hand, could barely even be seen by approaching ships. Once Scylla

saw a ship, she would always strike, and there was no way to defend

against her, as Odysseus knew: “As I sent them on toward Scylla, I / told

them nothing, as they could do nothing. / They would have dropped their

oars again, in panic, / to roll for cover under the decking” (783-6).

Avoiding Scylla by sailing out of her reach was also impossible;

Charybdis, the great sea beast that created a churning whirlpool and

could swallow a ship whole, would destroy any ship that strayed out of

Scylla’s reach. Charybdis could be avoided – but only by scrificing six

men to Scylla.

Topic sentence

Paragraph Example: Body

Support #1: Straight from notes

Support #2: Straight from notes

Scylla was basically a mountain on the edge of a narrow strait – could hardly be seen before it was too lateNo defense against her: “As I sent them on toward Scylla, I / told them nothing, as they could do nothing” (783-6).In avoiding Scylla, a boat would be pulled into Charybdis’ mouth, destroying everyone

2

1

3 Counter-argument

Refutation

Reason (Trait) Support

The Lastrygoneans could have been avoided with more caution

The Lastrygoneans were more dangerous – there were more of them and they actually killed more men

Scylla struck the most fear in to sailor’s hearts by the viciousness of her attacks

Scylla could not be avoided except by sheer luck – certain death lay ahead for at least 6 men

A mountain of gray rock sitting on the edge of the narrow

straight, Scylla was virtually impossible to avoid. Only by the sheer

luck, or help from the gods, sailors might not be noticed as they passed

by. But it doesn’t seem that this would often happen. Scylla, on the

other hand, could barely even be seen by approaching ships. Once Scylla

saw a ship, she would always strike, and there was no way to defend

against her, as Odysseus knew: “As I sent them on toward Scylla, I / told

them nothing, as they could do nothing. / They would have dropped their

oars again, in panic, / to roll for cover under the decking” (783-6).

Avoiding Scylla by sailing out of her reach was also impossible;

Charybdis, the great sea beast that created a churning whirlpool and

could swallow a ship whole, would destroy any ship that strayed out of

Scylla’s reach. Charybdis could be avoided – but only by sacrificing six

men to Scylla.

Topic sentence

Paragraph Example: Body

Support #1: Straight from notes

Support #2: Straight from notes

Support #3: Straight from notes

Quoted Passage

Quotation marks

Slashes to show the end of poetic lines

Line numbers in parentheses

Introduction

• Catches the reader’s attention with interesting, vivid language

• Presents the thesis statement clearly

• Briefly introduces the main reasons that support your thesis

• Provides any necessary background info– Who? What? Where? When?

Odysseus, the great hero of the Trojan War, faced a seemingly

unending barrage of dangers as he attempted to return home to Ithaca.

One-eyed man-eating giants, cruel enchantresses, the temptations of

escapism, an array of sea beasts, and even the gods were, at one time or

another, out to kill Odysseus and his men. Of all the threats Odysseus

faced, however, the most dangerous could not be avoided or defended

against and was terrifying in her viciousness: the six-headed sea beast

Scylla.

Thesis statement

Catchy and informative lead-in

Paragraph Example: Introduction

Reason #1

Reason #2

was

The introduction does not have to be very long; it just needs to be clear and interesting, giving just enough background information so the reader knows what you’re writing about

Conclusion

• General statement about the poem’s theme from your own knowledge or experience

• Restates thesis and reasons– Don’t just repeat the same exact phrases from

your introduction

• “Food for thought” – an idea related to your argument that gives the reader something more to think about

Deciding which of the many incredible enemies

Odysseus faced on his long journey home was the most

dangerous is like choosing the worst meal: prison glop or

cold mystery meat. All were awful, and it took tremendous

strength, courage, and wit for Odysseus to escape them all

and return home. But there is no question that Scylla, the

mountainous and murderous six-headed beast who dangled

men like fish on a line as he ate them, was the most

dangerous of all. The vision of this monster and the others

with whom Odysseus contended shows us, perhaps, the dread

with which the ancient Greeks viewed the world beyond

home.

Paragraph Example: Conclusion

General statement about your thesis from your own knowledge or experience

Restatement of main body ideas

“Food for thought” – an idea related to your argument that gives the reader something to think about