This presentation is designed to illustrate to students the process of writing a persuasive paragraph. This presentation was created for educational purposes.

1. Writing a Persuasive
Paragraph
a guide to structured essay writing

2. Why we use structure…
• It improves consistency
• It improves clarity
• It helps us write

3. The Structure of a persuasive paragraph
T = Topic Sentence
E = Elaboration
E = Evidence
L = Linking Statement

4. Topic Sentence
• Introduces the topic of the paragraph

5. Topic Sentence
• Introduces the topic of the paragraph
Essay: Cats should be banned
Paragraph 1
Environmental Impact
Evidence 1
Reason: Cats Kill
Local Wildlife
Technique: Numerical
Evidence
Example:
Cats kill 160-270 million
animals annually- a
quarter of them are
birds
Evidence 2
Reason: Cats are natural
predators
Technique: Authority
Example:
Ecologist Tara Pirie
suggests that cats are
chemically programmed
to hunt and kill
Evidence 3
Reason: Cats upset
animals in the
neighbourhood
Technique: Metaphor
Example:
A cat walking down a
street turns silence into
symphony

6. Topic Sentence
• Introduces the topic of the paragraph
Essay: Cats should be banned
Paragraph 1
Environmental Impact
Evidence 1
Reason: Cats Kill
Local Wildlife
Technique: Numerical
Evidence
Example:
Cats kill 160-270 million
animals annually- a
quarter of them are
birds
Evidence 2
Reason: Cats are natural
predators
Technique: Authority
Example:
Ecologist Tara Pirie
suggests that cats are
chemically programmed
to hunt and kill
Evidence 3
Reason: Cats upset
animals in the
neighbourhood
Technique: Metaphor
Example:
A cat walking down a
street turns silence into
symphony

7. Topic Sentence
• Introduces the topic of the paragraph
Cats have a negative environmental impact.
Example

8. Elaboration
• Provides more information on the topic to clarify
understanding.
Cats have a negative environmental impact.
Example

9. Elaboration
• Provides more information on the topic to clarify
understanding.
Cats have a negative environmental impact.
Example

10. Elaboration
• Provides more information on the topic to clarify
understanding.
Cats have a negative environmental impact.
Example
Cats
What I mean is:
Pet cats that are let outside in neighbourhood
areas

11. Elaboration
• Provides more information on the topic to clarify
understanding.
Cats have a negative environmental impact.
Example
Cats
What I mean is:
Pet cats that are let outside in neighbourhood
areas
Negative Environmental Impact
What I mean is:
They can hunt and kill native wildlife and disturb
other animals

12. Elaboration
• Provides more information on the topic to clarify
understanding.
Cats have a negative environmental impact. When pet cats
are let outside in neighbourhood areas, they can hunt and
kill native wildlife and disturb other animals.
Example
Cats
What I mean is:
Pet cats that are let outside in neighbourhood
areas
Negative Environmental Impact
What I mean is:
They can hunt and kill native wildlife and disturb
other animals

13. Elaboration
• Provides more information on the topic to clarify
understanding.
Cats have a negative environmental impact. When pet
cats are let outside in neighbourhood areas, they can hunt
and kill native wildlife and disturb other animals
Example
Cats
What I mean is:
Pet cats that are let outside in neighbourhood
areas
Negative Environmental Impact
What I mean is:
They can hunt and kill native wildlife and disturb
other animals

14. Evidence
• Provides specific techniques that support your topic
Cats have a negative environmental impact. When pet cats are let outside
in neighbourhood areas, they can hunt and kill native wildlife and disturb
other animals.
Example

15. Evidence
• Provides specific techniques that support your topic
Cats have a negative environmental impact. When pet cats
are let outside in neighbourhood areas, they can hunt and
kill native wildlife and disturb other animals.
Example
Essay: Cats should be banned
Paragraph 1
Environmental Impact
Evidence 1
Reason: Cats Kill
Local Wildlife
Technique: Numerical
Evidence
Example:
Cats kill 160-270 million
animals annually- a
quarter of them are
birds
Evidence 2
Reason: Cats are natural
predators
Technique: Authority
Example:
Ecologist Tara Pirie
suggests that cats are
chemically programmed
to hunt and kill
Evidence 3
Reason: Cats upset
animals in the
neighbourhood
Technique: Metaphor
Example:
A cat walking down a
street turns silence into
symphony

16. Evidence
• Provides specific techniques that support your topic
Cats have a negative environmental impact. When pet cats
are let outside in neighbourhood areas, they can hunt and
kill native wildlife and disturb other animals.
Example
Essay: Cats should be banned
Paragraph 1
Environmental Impact
Evidence 1
Reason: Cats Kill
Local Wildlife
Technique: Numerical
Evidence
Example:
Cats kill 160-270 million
animals annually- a
quarter of them are
birds
Evidence 2
Reason: Cats are natural
predators
Technique: Authority
Example:
Ecologist Tara Pirie
suggests that cats are
chemically programmed
to hunt and kill
Evidence 3
Reason: Cats upset
animals in the
neighbourhood
Technique: Metaphor
Example:
A cat walking down a
street turns silence into
symphony

17. Evidence
• Provides specific techniques that support your topic
Cats have a negative environmental impact. When pet cats are let outside
in neighbourhood areas, they can hunt and kill native wildlife and disturb
other animals. Cats kill 160-270 million animals annually and a quarter of
them are birds. Ecologist Tara Pirie suggests that cats are chemically
programmed to hunt and kill. A cat walking down a street turns silence into
symphony.
Example

18. Evidence
• Provides specific techniques that support your topic
Cats have a negative environmental impact. When pet cats are let outside
in neighbourhood areas, they can hunt and kill native wildlife and disturb
other animals. Cats kill 160-270 million animals annually and a quarter of
them are birds. Ecologist Tara Pirie suggests that cats are chemically
programmed to hunt and kill. A cat walking down a street turns silence into
symphony as it makes every dog in the area begin to bark.
Example

19. Linking Statement
• Connects the discussion of the paragraph back to the main
essay topic
Cats have a negative environmental impact. When pet cats are let outside
in neighbourhood areas, they can hunt and kill native wildlife and disturb
other animals. Cats kill 160-270 million animals annually and a quarter of
them are birds. Ecologist Tara Pirie suggests that cats are chemically
programmed to hunt and kill. A cat walking down a street turns silence into
symphony as it makes every dog in the area begin to bark.
Example

20. Linking Statement
• Connects the discussion of the paragraph back to the main
essay topic
Cats have a negative environmental impact. When pet cats are let outside
in neighbourhood areas, they can hunt and kill native wildlife and disturb
other animals. Cats kill 160-270 million animals annually and a quarter of
them are birds. Ecologist Tara Pirie suggests that cats are chemically
programmed to hunt and kill. A cat walking down a street turns silence into
symphony as it makes every dog in the area begin to bark. Because of the
damaging and disruptive nature of cats, the only way to preserve the
environment is to ban them.
Example

21. A structured essay paragraph
Cats have a negative environmental impact. When pet cats are let outside
in neighbourhood areas, they can hunt and kill native wildlife and disturb
other animals. Cats kill 160-270 million animals annually and a quarter of
them are birds. Ecologist Tara Pirie suggests that cats are chemically
programmed to hunt and kill. A cat walking down a street turns silence into
symphony as it makes every dog in the area begin to bark. Because of the
damaging and disruptive nature of cats, the only way to preserve the
environment is to ban them.
Example

22. Making Structure Visible
Polystyrene foam products can have a negative impact on the environment. When people
discard polystyrene products in natural environments such as bushland and waterways,
these products can have a long-term impact on local wildlife, who can consume or
become trapped in these containers. Those of us that are working towards a sustainable
environment know that the more non-biodegradable plastics in an eco-system, the
greater the work to remove them. If the rate of plastic waste in these areas continues,
many species of animal will become threatened. Many national parks have lost their heart
and soul as a result of human polystyrene dumping. As a result of this issue, we can see
how human use of polystyrene products are damaging our natural environments, and
should therefore be banned.
Example from Identification Assessment

23. Making Structure Visible
Polystyrene foam products can have a negative impact on the environment. When people
discard polystyrene products in natural environments such as bushland and waterways,
these products can have a long-term impact on local wildlife, who can consume or
become trapped in these containers. Those of us that are working towards a sustainable
environment know that the more non-biodegradable plastics in an eco-system, the
greater the work to remove them. If the rate of plastic waste in these areas continues, then
many species of animal will become threatened. Many national parks have lost their heart
and soul as a result of human polystyrene dumping. As a result of this issue, we can see
how human use of polystyrene products are damaging our natural environments, and
should therefore be banned.
Example from Identification Assessment

24. Making Structure Visible
Polystyrene foam products can have a negative impact on the environment. When
people discard polystyrene products in natural environments such as bushland and
waterways, these products can have a long-term impact on local wildlife, who can
consume or become trapped in these containers. Those of us that are working towards a
sustainable environment know that the more non-biodegradable plastics in an eco-
system, the greater the work to remove them. If the rate of plastic waste in these areas
continues, then many species of animal will become threatened. Many national parks have
lost their heart and soul as a result of human polystyrene dumping. As a result of this
issue, we can see how human use of polystyrene products are damaging our natural
environments, and should therefore be banned.
Example from Identification Assessment

25. Making Structure Visible
Polystyrene foam products can have a negative impact on the environment. When
people discard polystyrene products in natural environments such as bushland and
waterways, these products can have a long-term impact on local wildlife, who can
consume or become trapped in these containers. Those of us that are working towards a
sustainable environment know that the more non-biodegradable plastics in an eco-
system, the greater the work to remove them. If the rate of plastic waste in these areas
continues, then many species of animal will become threatened. Many national parks have
lost their heart and soul as a result of human polystyrene dumping. As a result of this
issue, we can see how human use of polystyrene products are damaging our natural
environments, and should therefore be banned.
Example from Identification Assessment

26. Making Structure Visible
Polystyrene foam products can have a negative impact on the environment. When people
discard polystyrene products in natural environments such as bushland and waterways,
these products can have a long-term impact on local wildlife, who can consume or
become trapped in these containers. Those of us that are working towards a sustainable
environment know that the more non-biodegradable plastics in an eco-system, the
greater the work to remove them. If the rate of plastic waste in these areas continues, then
many species of animal will become threatened. Many national parks have lost their heart
and soul as a result of human polystyrene dumping. As a result of this issue, we can see
how human use of polystyrene products are damaging our natural environments, and
should therefore be banned.
Example from Identification Assessment

27. Making Structure Visible
Polystyrene foam products can have a negative impact on the environment. When people
discard polystyrene products in natural environments such as bushland and waterways,
these products can have a long-term impact on local wildlife, who can consume or
become trapped in these containers. Those of us that are working towards a sustainable
environment know that the more non-biodegradable plastics in an eco-system, the
greater the work to remove them. If the rate of plastic waste in these areas continues, then
many species of animal will become threatened. Many national parks have lost their heart
and soul as a result of human polystyrene dumping. As a result of this issue, we can see
how human use of polystyrene products are damaging our natural environments, and
should therefore be banned.
Example from Identification Assessment

28. Making Structure Visible
Polystyrene foam products can have a negative impact on the environment. When people
discard polystyrene products in natural environments such as bushland and waterways,
these products can have a long-term impact on local wildlife, who can consume or
become trapped in these containers. Those of us that are working towards a sustainable
environment know that the more non-biodegradable plastics in an eco-system, the
greater the work to remove them (inclusivity). If the rate of plastic waste in these areas
continues, then many species of animal will become threatened. Many national parks have
lost their heart and soul as a result of human polystyrene dumping. As a result of this
issue, we can see how human use of polystyrene products are damaging our natural
environments, and should therefore be banned.
Example from Identification Assessment

29. Making Structure Visible
Polystyrene foam products can have a negative impact on the environment. When people
discard polystyrene products in natural environments such as bushland and waterways,
these products can have a long-term impact on local wildlife, who can consume or
become trapped in these containers. Those of us that are working towards a sustainable
environment know that the more non-biodegradable plastics in an eco-system, the
greater the work to remove them (inclusivity). If the rate of plastic waste in these areas
continues, then many species of animal will become threatened. Many national parks have
lost their heart and soul as a result of human polystyrene dumping. As a result of this
issue, we can see how human use of polystyrene products are damaging our natural
environments, and should therefore be banned.
Example from Identification Assessment

30. Making Structure Visible
Polystyrene foam products can have a negative impact on the environment. When people
discard polystyrene products in natural environments such as bushland and waterways,
these products can have a long-term impact on local wildlife, who can consume or
become trapped in these containers. Those of us that are working towards a sustainable
environment know that the more non-biodegradable plastics in an eco-system, the
greater the work to remove them (inclusivity). If the rate of plastic waste in these areas
continues, then many species of animal will become threatened (cause and effect). Many
national parks have lost their heart and soul as a result of human polystyrene dumping. As
a result of this issue, we can see how human use of polystyrene products are damaging
our natural environments, and should therefore be banned.
Example from Identification Assessment

31. Making Structure Visible
Polystyrene foam products can have a negative impact on the environment. When people
discard polystyrene products in natural environments such as bushland and waterways,
these products can have a long-term impact on local wildlife, who can consume or
become trapped in these containers. Those of us that are working towards a sustainable
environment know that the more non-biodegradable plastics in an eco-system, the
greater the work to remove them (inclusivity). If the rate of plastic waste in these areas
continues, many species of animal will become threatened (cause and effect). Many
national parks have lost their heart and soul as a result of human polystyrene dumping. As
a result of this issue, we can see how human use of polystyrene products are damaging
our natural environments, and should therefore be banned.
Example from Identification Assessment

32. Making Structure Visible
Polystyrene foam products can have a negative impact on the environment. When people
discard polystyrene products in natural environments such as bushland and waterways,
these products can have a long-term impact on local wildlife, who can consume or
become trapped in these containers. Those of us that are working towards a sustainable
environment know that the more non-biodegradable plastics in an eco-system, the
greater the work to remove them (inclusivity). If the rate of plastic waste in these areas
continues, many species of animal will become threatened (cause and effect). Many
national parks have lost their heart and soul as a result of human polystyrene dumping
(metaphor). As a result of this issue, we can see how human use of polystyrene products
are damaging our natural environments, and should therefore be banned.
Example from Identification Assessment

33. Making Structure Visible
Polystyrene foam products can have a negative impact on the environment. When people
discard polystyrene products in natural environments such as bushland and waterways,
these products can have a long-term impact on local wildlife, who can consume or
become trapped in these containers. Those of us that are working towards a sustainable
environment know that the more non-biodegradable plastics in an eco-system, the
greater the work to remove them (inclusivity). If the rate of plastic waste in these areas
continues, many species of animal will become threatened (cause and effect). Many
national parks have lost their heart and soul as a result of human polystyrene dumping
(metaphor). As a result of this issue, we can see how human use of polystyrene products
are damaging our natural environments, and should therefore be banned.
Example from Identification Assessment