This document provides guidance on writing a persuasive academic paper, including how to structure each paragraph. It recommends beginning with an engaging introduction paragraph that provides context and states an argument or thesis. The next paragraph should give historical background and weave into the reasons supporting the argument. Following paragraphs should each contain an assertion, reasoning, evidence, and discussion of how the evidence supports the assertion and its significance. The conclusion should summarize the argument and reasons, draw connections, and leave the reader with a meaningful takeaway message. Citations and discussion of evidence's significance are emphasized.

1. ARES Writing
What ARE your insights?

2. How do I transition from a short answer
to a paper?

3. Introduction Paragraph
Grabber!
Context
Reasons for
Argument
Assertion/
Argument/Thesis
How are you going to capture your
audience’s attention? Quote? Anecdote?
Statistic? (citation)
What specifically are you going to prove
throughout your paper? What is your
argument, position, or insight?
What information and vocabulary does your
audience need about historical conflicts, social
situations, values, or people in order to best
understand your topic?
What two reasons will you argue that
support your argument? Propose each idea
in a full sentence.

4. Historical Background Paragraph
Intro
Reasoning
Of your topic
Conclude
And Weave into
Reasons
Present your clear specific topic of your
argument.
5-6 sentences that contain relevant vocabulary to
explain the key ideas, places, dates, and people
that are part of the idea, movement, and/or topic
How does the ideas presented above weave
back into your argument?

5. Persuasive Body Paragraph
Assertion
Reasoning
Evidence
Significance/
And Conclusion
One clear, specific point that you are going to
prove throughout your paragraph.
3-4 sentences where you explain your ideas in
your own words and use relevant vocabulary.
Supporting details with parenthetical citations -
cite your sources (Creeden 2015).
How does your evidence support your
assertion? How does it connect to society? DIG
DEEPER. Pull back the layers. Keep asking
yourself: “Why?”

6. Another Persuasive Paragraph
Assertion
Reasoning
Evidence
Significance/
And Conclusion
One clear, specific point that you are going to
prove throughout your paragraph.
3-4 sentences where you explain your ideas in
your own words and use relevant vocabulary.
Supporting details with parenthetical citations -
cite your sources (Creeden 2015).
How does your evidence support your
assertion? How does it connect to society? DIG
DEEPER. Pull back the layers. Keep asking
yourself: “Why?”

7. Conclusion Paragraph
Summarize your
Assertion
Summarize your
Reasoning
Make us THINK about the
significance.
Clearly restate your two reasons to support
your argument. Add specific, meaningful,
powerful vocabulary!
Pull your ideas together in a new way. Draw
connections!
Leave your readers with a TAKE AWAY
message. Give them something to think
about. Quote? Statistic? Future impact?
Using a transition, restate your assertion.

8. ❏ No “I” or “I think”
❏ No good, bad, mad, glad, sad (Use specific, meaningful vocabulary!)
❏ No “this”
❏ At least 3 transition words and phrases per paragraph
❏ Commas after transition words and phrases (i.e., prepositional phrases,
adverbial clauses)
❏ Commas before direct quotes
❏ Commas with FANBOYS
❏ Proper parenthetical citation when you use other people’s words and ideas
❏ Capitalize proper nouns
Basic Writing Check-List

9. Extras to Help with Significance,
Citations, and Evidence

10. ● Direct quotes from primary sources
● Major historical documents (i.e., The Declaration of Independence, The
Constitution, The Magna Carta)
● Conflicts, wars, battles (i.e., The Civil War, World War II)
● Movements (i.e., The Women’s Rights Movement, The Abolitionist
Movement)
● Leaders as well as their missions and values
● Social systems (i.e., slavery, indentured servitude)
● Laws
● Artwork and pictures
● Current events
Evidence in History Class

11. Do you ever ask yourself, “Why should I care?”
That is exactly what your readers ask after every piece of evidence in
your paper!
Explain how and why your evidence supports your assertion.
● How does it affect people’s attitudes, idea, beliefs, and behaviors?
● Why does it cause or prevent conflict?
● How does it impact future events?
● Why is it important?!?
ex.) Maria Stewart proved that women were capable of higher level thinking
and deserved access to an education. As a doctor, she also proved…..
Significance

12. ...(Creeden 2015).
Parenthetical Citation Components
Author’s Last Name
(from the article, book,
document where you
found the information)
Date of Publication
(of the article, book,
document where you
found the information)
If you have more than one author, list their last names in alphabetical order.
...(Creeden, Pokorney 2015).

13. What does parenthetical citation do?
Gives people credit for their work, words, and ideas
Where does a parenthetical citation go?
At the end of the sentence BEFORE the period
Parenthetical Citation 101