Argument Essay Prewriting Sheet

Audience:

Before you even begin to choose your topic; decide who your audience is. This will help you narrow down your research and be able to figure out what to write along each step of the way.

Who are you trying to persuade to do what you want? ______The community______

Introduction:

What is your topic (remember you should choose a topic that concerns something local, i.e. why there should be year round school in your district, why bike path down the road should be repaired, etc)? ______We should have more community centers______

What is your position on this topic? (take a stand!!)—this should be a sentence in length)

______As a child, it has come to my attention that there are not enough opportunities for kids in my community to exercise. ______

(this is your topic sentence of your introduction and is also considered your “grabber” or your “hook”)

Supporting details- Here list three supporting details that you can back up your position with….

1)  _____Kids aren’t getting their hour of exercise everyday.______

2)  ______With all of the technology coming out in this day and age, kids are starting to substitute their time for playing Freeze Tag for time to play Temple Run.______

3)  ______Kids are getting too much radiation from being on the computer which can cause cancer and bad eyesight______

Logical Reasoning- What is the logical reasoning behind your position? Why do you overall believe what you do? ______The logical reasoning behind my position is; if you give a kid an opportunity to have fun while using their talents and abilities we will have a healthier community.______

______

(this is your thesis statement!)

1st Body Paragraph:

What was the 1st supporting detail you chose? (this is your topic if your 1st body paragraph)

______

Now list 3 things you found out about this detail (either from an interview, a website, a news show, or a newspaper) [This may be a good place for a quote- remember you must use 2 in this essay!]

1)  ______

2)  ______

3)  ______

2nd Body Paragraph:

What was the 2nd supporting detail you chose? (this is your topic if your 1st body paragraph)

______

Now list 3 things you found out about this detail (either from an interview, a website, a news show, or a newspaper) [This may be a good place for a quote- remember you must use 2 in this essay!]

1)  ______

2)  ______

3)  ______

3rd Body Paragraph:

What was the 3rd supporting detail you chose? (this is your topic if your 1st body paragraph)

______

Now list 3 things you found out about this detail (either from an interview, a website, a news show, or a newspaper) [This may be a good place to include an opposing view & concede a point- remember you need to do this once during your essay!]

1)  ______

2)  ______

3)  ______

Conclusion:

Your first sentence should restate your thesis in different words: ______

______

The meat of this paragraph should talk about the 3 supporting details or facts of your essay (paragraphs 2, 3, and 4)

Before ending this paragraph you need a CALL TO ACTION. What do you want people to do with all the great information you have given them? (For example: they could write a petition, give a speech, etc)

______

Your last sentence is your “zinger” something great to end your essay. Make an emphatic statement, prove your point, or make an exclamation!

______