The document provides a graphic organizer for writing a persuasive essay on the patriot vs. loyalist debate, emphasizing the importance of a compelling opening and clear arguments. It outlines a five-paragraph structure, encouraging writers to include personal opinions, specific examples, and strong transitions throughout the essay. The final paragraph should restate opinions and call for action against perceived tyranny from the British.

1. 

Patriot vs. Loyalist

2. Persuasive Essay Graphic
Organizer

3. 

Paragraph #1

4. Make your first sentence so
unbelievably interesting that your reader
WANTS to keep on reading!
 Is
cheap tea really worth dying for? Worth killing
for? (Loyalist)
 The great patriot, Patrick Henry, spoke the truth
when he said, “I am not a Virgninian, but an
American!” (Patriot)

5. What
are the colonists upset about?
Why?
What are the British upset about?
Why?
Keep it short: 1-2 sentences
Remember to write from a 1st person
point of view – your are trying to
convince other colonists!
Hint: Look back at your Causes of the Revolutionary War sheets for ideas!

6. 


States what you think others should vote to do (rebel vs.
stay loyal)
Includes a quick summary of your arguments.
Lays out your essay.
Without a doubt, you should vote to (opinion).
This is clearly the right course of action
because (argument #1), (argument #2), and
(argument #3).

8. 

Paragraphs #2 - 4

9. Write
down the first reason from your
opinion statement in the introduction.
Don’t forget to add a sweet transition!
Consider this, is it fair that all the decisions about our colonies
are being made thousands of miles away in England? No I
say! We deserve representation! (Patriot)
Let’s all think about this, sure extra taxes are annoying, but
England has the strongest military in the world! (Loyalist)

10. Use
specific details from the text or
other research to support your reasons!
The more details the better – make this
so intense no one would dare disagree.

11. Consider this, is it fair that all the decisions
about our colonies are being made thousands
of miles away in England? No I say! We
deserve representation!



Quartering act was passed
by Parliament in England –
we hated it
Stamp act unfairly makes
us colonists pay for the
English troops we’re
already having to feed!
Intolerable acts were
England’s revenge on us
for the Boston Tea Party!
Let’s all think about this, sure extra
taxes are annoying, but England has
the strongest military in the world!



British regulars are well
supplied with good
muskets and plenty of
ammunition.
We don’t even have an
army!
Our militias have so little
ammunition they can’t
even practice firing their
weapons.

13. 

Paragraph #5

14. Re-state
opinion in a NEW way
Summarize your reasons again
Include a call to action – tell
people what you think they
should do!

17. Five Paragraph Essay

18. 

Paragraph #1

19. PLAN
PARAGRAPH
The great patriot, Patrick Henry, spoke the truth when he said, “I am
not a Virginian, but an American!” Over the past ten years, the colonies have
been oppressed by our English overlords. The Quartering and Stamp Acts
unfairly forced us to pay for the English army currently staying rent-free in
our homes. When we struck back by boycotting their good and dumping their
tea into Boston Harbor, the English responded with the Intolerable Acts.
Without a doubt, you should vote tonight to rebel against England! This is
clearly the right course of action because it will make sure we have equal
representation, our rights, and no unfair taxes.

20. 

Paragraphs #2 - 4

21. PLAN
PARAGRAPH
Consider this, is it fair that all the
decisions about our colonies are being
made thousands of miles away in
England? No! We should have our own
representation! Just take the Quartering
Act as an example. The English Parliament
decided to make us provide for their army
without even asking. Were there any
colonists that voted on this? I think not.
As if that wasn’t enough, the Stamp Act
unfairly forced us to pay even more simply
because England decided we should. Now
England has gone a step further, using
taxes as a punishment by passing the
Intolerable Acts as a response to the
Boston Tea Party.

22. 

Paragraph #5

23. PLAN
PARAGRAPH
The only reasonable course of action left to us is to
rebel against the tyranny of the king. England has treated us
unfairly by denying us representation, by taking away our
rights, and by taxing us unfairly. Colonists! Friends! We
must resist this tyranny with our lives!

24. Completing your Essay
 Now
go write your own five paragraph
persuasive essay!
 Remember to use correct spelling,
punctuation, and indent when you start a
new paragraph!
 Read over your essay when you’re done,
make sure it makes sense!