This document outlines an assignment for writing a persuasive essay, emphasizing the importance of topic selection and outlining to prepare students for their paper. Students are instructed to choose a persuasive topic that is arguable, solvable, and manageable while exploring both sides of the argument. The document also provides guidance on brainstorming, structuring an essay, and drafting an informal outline.

1. Invention and Organization
This week’s assignment is intended to help get you started on
the persuasive essay we will be working on throughout the
remainder of this course. Before getting started on this
assignment, it might be beneficial for you to read the criteria
for the Week Six Persuasive Essay.
For this week, we will be practicing topic selection and
outlining. Because this is preparation for next week’s
persuasive essay, you will need to start by picking a topic that
is persuasive. This topic must meet the following criteria:
· Arguable (are there at least two logical, yet opposite ways to
look at the issue? Are there at least two sides?)
· Solvable (i.e. avoid religious, moral, or politically charged
topics)
· Manageable (keep your topic focused and specific)
Think of a specific problem or issue that you are interested in
researching and writing an essay about. This issue should be
argumentative in nature, so the topic that you choose should
have an equally valid opposing viewpoint.
An example of an appropriate topic would be this:
A specific community is debating an ordinance banning the
ownership of pit bulls. Some residents agree that pit bulls
should be banned, while others disagree with this position
(there is plenty of research to back up either side of the
argument).
Your job from there will be to explore the issue, look at both
sides of the argument as completely as you can, and take a side.
Your essay will be an attempt to convince others to join you in
your decision.
Directions
1 Look up and read the following article in the EBSCOhost
Database:

2. 2 Step-by-step through the writing process. (2007). Writing,
30. 1-8.
3 (Note: You do not need to answer any of the questions from
the reading in your assignment).
4 Read and respond to EACH of the following questions and
submit them and your outline in a single document (both parts
must be completed).
Part One: Topic Search
For the first part of this assignment, consider the following
three questions:
1 What issue or problem would you like to write about? Illegal
Immigration
2 Choose a side. What is your view on the issue? What is the
opposing view? I oppose having a direct pathway for illegal
immigrants to US citizenship
3 What specific change might fix this issue? Enforce current
policies and laws that are in place
Then, freewrite for 10-15 minutes about the topic you have
chosen. Share all of the reasons you can think of for why your
problem needs to be fixed. Do not worry about grammar,
spelling, or format. Do not edit. Write what comes to mind. Do
not research yet. If you are stumped and cannot write what you
know for 10-15 minutes, go back to #1 and start with a new
topic.
Part Two: The Outline
Draft an informal outline for your upcoming persuasive paper.
Do not include quotations or paraphrased material. Your outline
should be built from your current knowledge of the topic. You
can refine this later when you conduct your research.
Basic Outline for a Five Paragraph Essay
· Introductory Paragraph (five to seven sentences that include a
hook, background information, and a thesis)
· Body Paragraphs

3. · First Topic Sentence
· Supporting Point
· Supporting Point
· Supporting Point
· Second Topic Sentence
· Supporting Point
· Supporting Point
· Supporting Point
· Third Topic Sentence
· Supporting Point
· Supporting Point
· Supporting Point
· Closing paragraph (five to seven sentences that include a
restatement of the thesis, summary of the main ideas, and a
closing thought)
If you are having trouble with your outline, the following link
leads to a video that should help:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXWMPbfKtUI
Assistance for Persuasive writing
EBSCO Reading Step-by Step Through the Writing Process
Step-by-StepThrough The WritingProcess
Contents
· Brainstorming
· Thesis Statements
· Freewriting
· Story Mapping
· Organizing
· Brainstorming: Pick Your Brain
· 1 . Pick a topic.

4. · Thesis Statement: What's Your Big Idea?
· Paragraph 1
· Paragraph 2
· Freewriting: Free to Be
· Story Mapping: Map Your Story
· Essay Writing: Getting Organized Part 1
· Essay Writing: Getting Organized Parts 2 and 3
· Paragraph 1
· Introduction
· Paragraph 5
· Now write your essay!
· Revision: Clean Up Useless Phrases
· Example
· Teachers — fold this answer key over before
photocopying:
Listen
American Accent
Australian Accent
British Accent
Section:
Skills Extenders
Brainstorming Thesis Statements Freewriting Story Mapping
Organizing
Editing
Name: ----- Date: ----- READ Writing
Brainstorming: Pick Your Brain
Brainstorming is a way to gather many ideas. Make a list of
possibile topics that you could write about. Jot down anything
that comes to mind, even if it seems silly. When you're done

5. brainstorming, look over your list and highlight the items that
are most interesting to you. Use them as a starting point to
narrow the focus of your paper.
Directions: Imagine you have to write a paper on a topic of your
choice. Follow these simple steps to brainstorm about your
topic. We've used the Civil War as a sample topic. In the
blanks, write the ideas that come to mind for your own topic.
Use a separate sheet of paper if you need more space.
1 . Pick a topic.
Sample topic: Civil War
Your topic: -----
2 . In the blank spaces, write every name that comes to mind
when you think of your topic.
Civil War name: Robert E. Lee
Your names: -----
3. Write every place associated with your topic.
Civil War place: Gettysburg, Pa.
Your places: -----
4. Ask yourself a question about the topic, and then answer it.
Civil War question: What is one of the issues related
to the Civil War? Answer: Slavery
Your question: -----
Your answers: -----
5. What other facts do you know about the topic?
Civil War fact: Began in 1861
Your facts: -----
Thesis Statement: What's Your Big Idea?
A thesis statement is an essential part of an essay or a research
paper. It appears at the beginning of a paper or a paragraph and
states your BIG IDEA boiled down into a single sentence. Your
thesis statement is also the answer to the "big question" in your
paper or essay.
Directions: The paragraphs below take positions on two
different topics. Read the paragraphs, and then write a thesis
statement for each.
Paragraph 1

6. School uniforms have negative aspects. They do not allow
students to show creativity. Uniforms also might be expensive
for parents to buy. However, school uniforms enable everyone
in the school to know when an intruder enters because he or she
will be wearing different clothes. Uniforms also make it easier
for teens to get dressed in the morning because they don't have
to worry about picking out an outfit. If schools have uniforms,
then teens won't have to worry about being able to afford trendy
and fashionable clothes.
What is the big question being asked?
-----
What is the thesis statement?
-----
Paragraph 2
School should be in session year-round because students would
get multiple vacations throughout the year instead of just one
long vacation in the summer. If students do not have a long
summer break, they are more likely to remember their lessons,
and teachers won't have to spend time reviewing information
from the previous year. In addition, students who are having
trouble keeping up with the lessons can catch up and review
during the short breaks, so they won't fall behind. However,
there are some negative aspects to having school year-round.
Students might not have the same vacation schedule as the rest
of their family, so planning trips could be difficult.
Concentrating on work is sometimes difficult in the summer
heat. Another negative aspect of year-round school is that if
other schools are on a regular schedule, organizing sporting
events might be difficult.
What is the big question being asked?
-----
What is the thesis statement?
-----
Freewriting: Free to Be
Directions: Freewriting is a great way to get the creative juices
flowing. Choose one of the prompts below, and write about it

7. for 10 minutes without stopping. Don't lift your pen off the
page, and don't worry about grammar or spelling. If you need
more space, use the back of this page or a separate piece of
paper. If you're stuck, rewrite the first sentence and keep going
from there. Or write the words "I don't know what to write"
over and over. After a while, you will find the words.
Writing Prompts
Something weird happened to me when …
I hate it when my parents …
When I went on vacation, I …
If I could change one thing in my life, I …
The person I admire most is …
If I had superpowers …
My prompt: -----
Story Mapping: Map Your Story
Directions: Are you searching for a story idea? This map can
give you some direction! All stories have a beginning, a middle,
and an end. Use the map to help you plan your story.
If you're stuck for an imaginative story idea, use your memory.
Did a good friend ever move away? Do you have a favorite
school memory? What is your proudest moment? What was your
most memorable birthday? What is the funniest thing that ever
happened to you?
Essay Writing: Getting Organized Part 1
1. Directions: Your assignment is to write a five-paragraph
narrative essay about your favorite band or musician. In Part 1,
fill in the blanks with points of information to be included in
your essay. (There are also five blanks for you to create your
own points.) The points do not need to be listed in any
particular order, nor do you have to include each one in the
finished essay.
1 . Name of band or musician: -----
2. Genre (type of music): -----
3. Musician's or band members' names and
instruments played: -----
4. Concerts you have attended: -----

8. 5. Where and when you listen to the music: -----
6. How the music makes you feel: -----
7. Your favorite songs by this musician or band: -----
8 . Aspects that make the band or musician
special or unique: -----
9. Awards or accomplishments the band or musician
has received: -----
10. The musician's or band's musical
influences: -----
11. -----
12. -----
13. -----
14. -----
15. -----
Now that you have listed the points you want to make in your
essay, it's time to organize them. Go to Part 2.
Weekly Reader grants teacher-subscribers of READ and Writing
permission to reproduce this page for use in their classrooms
only. Copyright © 2007 by Weekly Reader Corporation. READ
and Writing are federally registered trademarks of Weekly
Reader Corporation.
Essay Writing: Getting Organized Parts 2 and 3
2. Directions: Arrange your points into three subtopics. Each
subtopic will form a supporting paragraph in your essay. Write
the numbers of your previously listed points on the
corresponding lines below.
1. Description of the band or musician: -----
2. Analysis of the band or musician: -----
3. Personal response to the music: -----
3. Directions: Rewrite your points on the lines below. Come up
with supporting details for each.
Paragraph 1 Introduction
(transition)
Paragraph 2
Subtopic 1: -----
Supporting details

9. 1. -----
2. -----
3. -----
(transition)
Paragraph 3
Subtopic 2: -----
Supporting details
1. -----
2. -----
3. -----
(transition)
Paragraph 4
Subtopic 3: -----
Supporting details
1. -----
2. -----
3. -----
(transition)
Paragraph 5
Conclusion
Now write your essay! Revision: Clean Up Useless Phrases
Directions: The following sentences contain useless phrases —
ones that have redundancies or unnecessary words. Your job is
to clean them up — that is, to strike out the words that are not
necessary to the meaning of the sentences. In some cases, you
may need to rewrite the sentences.
Example
To be honest, I prefer pumpkin pie.
To be honest, I prefer pumpkin pie.
1. He is a guy who always tries too hard to be cool.
-----
2. Due to the fact that Sierra has already seen the movie we
planned to see, she wants to do something else.
-----
3. The truck is dark red in color, and its tires are unusually
large in size.

10. -----
4. The leaves on the trees are golden in color, and the days until
winter are few in number.
-----
5. I just wanted to say that I care about your feelings.
-----
6. After missing the school bus, Lizzie had to walk a distance of
3 miles to get home.
-----
7. Owen is such an amazing artist; his paintings are the most
unique I have ever seen.
-----
8. The truth of the matter is I don't like your sequined pink T-
shirt.
-----
9. The bottom line, when it's all said and done, is that you don't
have what it takes to become a professional basketball player.
-----
10. Danny, a confirmed carnivore, ordered his pizza with
sausage, pepperoni, meatballs, and also with bacon.
-----
Teachers — fold this answer key over before photocopying:
Eliminate the following: 1. is a guy who; 2. Due to the fact that;
replace with Because; 3. in color, in size; 4. in color, in
number; 5.1 just wanted to say that; 6. a distance of; 7. the most
unique I have ever seen; replace with unique; 8. The truth of the
matter is (or, if the speaker wants to emphasize that this opinion
is an honest one, replace with The truth is); 9. The bottom line,
when it's all said and done is that; 10. also with
A supplement to READ and Writing
Fall 2007
WHEN and WHERE does your story take place? Describe the
location in detail.
WHO are the characters (animals, talking cars) in your story?
What traits describe them? Are they bold, grouchy, honest,
mischievous?

11. WHAT big problem does your main character have to face?
PLAN your plot. What events happen along the way? Why?
HOW does the problem get solved? What does your main
character learn? Is there a message to your story? If so, what it
is it?
Weekly Reader grants teacher-subscribers of READ and Writing
permission to reproduce this page for use in their classrooms
only. Copyright © 2007 by Weekly Reader Corporation. READ
and Writing are federally registered trademarks of Weekly
Reader Corporation.
Copyright © 2007 by Weekly Reader Corporation. READ and
Writing magazines are federally registered trademarks of
Weekly Reader Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Publishing,
Executive, and Editorial Offices: Weekly Reader Publishing, 1
Reader's Digest Road, Pleasantville, NY 10570. Subscription
Offices: 3001 Cindel Drive, Delran, NJ 08075. Printed in the
U.S.A. Weekly Reader grants teacher-subscribers of this
supplement permission to reproduce the program's Skills
Extenders for use in classrooms only.
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