J. L. Ilsley High School

English 10 Academic

Mr. Noble

Persuasive Essay

Choose any one of the following topics and write a 400 - 600 word essay exploring your opinion related to one of the topics. A minimum of 3 citations from supporting texts, with at least one being from the short story, are required. Remember that you will need to narrow the topic down to arrive at a workable thesis statement. Plagiarism in any form will not be tolerated. The majority of planning, thesis development, organizing, and drafting will be completed in class. As this is an in class assignment, requirements regarding the structure of the essay will be covered during class time.

a. Length: 400 – 600 words (1½ to 2 pages)

b. Spacing: Double spacing

c. Style: APA Format (See J.L. Ilsley Literacy Handbook)

d. Submission format: Final draft may be submitted neatly handwritten or typed.

e. Final Copy Due: Friday, December 17, 2010

  1. Theme - Live Life to the Fullest / Taking Risks: This theme fits around the ideas of taking risks and the possibility of failure. Sometimes playing it safe is failure in itself. Sometimes it’s the only thing that keeps a person alive. At the same time, there is something beautifully human about taking chances in life. Supporting Texts: “Risk” by Joanna Russ (Short Story); “the lesson of the moth” by Don Marquis (Poem); “8 Mile” by Eminem (Song)
  2. Theme - Treating People with Dignity / Human Rights: This theme fits around the idea that there are a lot of reasons to treat people a certain way. It is commonly recognized that people have the right to be treated fairly, or equitably. As you well know, this does not always happen because of a whole number of different of reasons. Supporting Texts: “All Summer in a Day” by Ray Bradbury (Short Story); “He Sits Down on the Floor of a School for the Retarded” by Alden Nowlan (Poem); “Jeremy” by Pearl Jam (Song)
  3. Theme - The Use of Violence, Power, and Strength as a means to an end (the justification of violent actions and deeds): This theme fits with the question surrounding the justification for violent actions or deeds. Some argue that violence and use of is never the appropriate solution. Others see the need under certain circumstances. Whatever the answer to the argument, people always have reasons to commit acts of violence. Supporting Texts: “Use of Force” by William Carlos Williams (Short Story); : “First Practice” by Gary Gildner (Poem); Frankie and Johnny, Traditional, performed by Snakefarm (Song)

4.  Theme - Love in all its complexity: This theme fits with the idea that there is a lot more to love than romance. It is not that romance isn't also a form of love, but there are many types of love other than romantic love. Some examples are: love of family, love of humanity, love of nature, etc… That we can experience the emotion love as humans is important for many reasons. Supporting Texts: “Annabelle, I Love You” by Mildred Clingerman (Short Story); “Common Magic” by Bronwen Wallace (Poem); “Sonnet 18” by William Shakespeare (Poem); “Dear Mama” by 2Pac (Song)

In a persuasive essay, the writer needs to make their opinion about the topic clear to their reader. This opinion must be reinforced through the use of different supporting arguments. Each supporting argument must be accompanied by examples from the supporting texts, or possibly other texts, that support the writer’s key points. The key to a persuasive essay is to thoroughly convince the reader that their opinion is valid.