EN8 Q2W4D4: How to Write a Complete Persuasive Essay

🎯 Learning Goals (Day 4)

• By the end of the lesson, learners will be able to outline a persuasive essay with an introduction, body, and conclusion, ensuring each section contains appropriate hooks, topic sentences, supporting evidence, rhetorical devices, and concluding lines.
• Learners will compose a persuasive essay (3–5 paragraphs) on a relevant social or environmental issue, applying at least 5 varied sentence structures and 3 rhetorical devices, achieving coherence and cohesion.
• Learners will revise and finalize their persuasive essays by peer or self-assessment, improving clarity, persuasiveness, and organization based on a given rubric.

🧩 Key Ideas & Terms (Day 4)

• Persuasive Essay - a structured piece of writing (usually 3–5 paragraphs or more) that presents an argument and convinces the reader through logic, evidence, and style.
• Introduction - the opening paragraph of an essay that introduces the topic and includes a hook and thesis statement.
• Body Paragraphs - the middle paragraphs that present supporting evidence, explanations, and rhetorical devices to strengthen the argument.
• Conclusion - the final paragraph that summarizes the main points and leaves a lasting impression.
• Thesis Statement - a clear, concise sentence (usually in the introduction) that expresses the main argument of the essay.
• Transition Words/Phrases - words or groups of words that connect ideas smoothly (e.g., first, however, in addition, therefore, as a result).
• Counterargument - an opposing viewpoint that the writer acknowledges and refutes to strengthen their own position.
• Refutation - directly addressing and disproving the counterargument to reinforce the essay’s claim.
• Coherence - logical arrangement of ideas in an essay.
• Cohesion - smooth flow of sentences and paragraphs through linking devices.
• Call to Action (CTA) - a strong closing appeal that urges the reader to take specific steps or adopt a belief.

🔄 Prior Knowledge (Day 4)

Activity: Name the Essay Part

Directions: Read each sentence/phrase below. Decide if it best fits in the Introduction, Body, or Conclusion of a persuasive essay. Write your answers in your notebook.

1. Plastic pollution kills millions of marine animals every year.
2. Schools must take responsibility by banning single-use plastics.
3. If schools lead the way, communities will follow.
4. Therefore, let us all commit to building a cleaner, greener future.
5. What if the next generation never saw a clean ocean again?

Show Answer

1. Introduction (Hook / Background)
2. Body (Topic Sentence / Argument)
3. Body (Supporting Evidence / Conditional)
4. Conclusion (Call to Action)
5. Introduction (Hook / Hypothetical Question)

📖 Explore the Lesson (Day 4)

Subtopic: How to Write a Complete Persuasive Essay - step by step

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Part 1 - What a Persuasive Essay Is and Why It Matters

A persuasive essay is a focused piece of writing that presents a clear position on an issue and attempts to convince the reader to agree. Unlike a narrative that tells a story or an informative report that only explains, a persuasive essay combines facts, reasoning, and stylistic choices to influence what the audience believes or does. Effective persuasive essays balance three appeals:

• Ethos - credibility and trustworthiness of the writer
• Logos - clear reasons, organized ideas, and credible evidence
• Pathos - appropriate emotion to engage the reader without exaggeration

Slow-learner friendly reminder: You are not trying to include everything about the topic. You are choosing a side, giving your best reasons, supporting them with evidence, and guiding the reader through a clear beginning, middle, and end.

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Part 2 - Know Your Purpose and Audience

Before you write, ask two simple questions:

1. Purpose - What do I want my reader to think or do after reading my essay
2. Audience - Who will read this, and what do they already believe or value

Audience quick scan checklist

• What the audience already knows or believes about the issue
• What they care about the most - safety, fairness, cost, comfort, tradition, future
• What might make them resist my viewpoint
• What tone will earn their trust - respectful, hopeful, practical

Sentence frames you can use

• Many people believe that ____, but the evidence shows _____.
• While some argue ____, this essay explains why ____ is the better choice.

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Part 3 - Choose and Refine a Debatable Claim

A claim is your main position. It should be clear, arguable, and specific.

• Too broad: Pollution is bad.
• Improved claim: Our city should ban single-use plastic bags to protect rivers and wildlife.
• Even clearer: Our city should ban single-use plastic bags within 12 months and replace them with affordable reusable alternatives supported by a discount program.

Claim test

• Can reasonable people disagree with it
• Can I support it with at least three strong reasons
• Can I explain it in one or two sentences

Sentence frame for a thesis

Thesis: [Community or audience] should [action] because [reason 1], [reason 2], and [reason 3].

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Part 4 - Plan Your Reasons and Evidence

List at least three reasons that support your claim. Then match each reason with evidence.

Types of evidence

• Facts and statistics from trustworthy sources
• Expert opinions or studies
• Real examples - school, neighborhood, city, country
• Logical explanation - cause and effect, comparison
• Ethical and emotional appeals used carefully and honestly

Evidence test

• Is the source credible and recent
• Does this proof directly support my reason
• Can I explain it in my own words

Organizer you can copy

• Reason 1: __________________
  • Evidence A: fact or example
  • Evidence B: quote or statistic
• Reason 2: __________________
  • Evidence A: fact or example
  • Evidence B: quote or statistic
• Reason 3: __________________
  • Evidence A: fact or example
  • Evidence B: quote or statistic

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Part 5 - Anticipate Counterarguments and Plan Refutation

A strong persuasive essay expects disagreement and answers it calmly.

Common counterargument frames

• Some people may say ____ because ____.
• Others worry that ____ will happen.
• A common concern is ____.

Refutation frames

• However, the data shows ____.
• This concern is understandable, but ____ solves it.
• Even if ____ is partly true, ____ still offers better results.

Example

• Counterargument: Reusable bags are expensive for families.
• Refutation: City coupons and school reward programs can lower costs, and reusable bags last longer, so the total cost is lower across the year.

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Part 6 - Structure of a Persuasive Essay

A simple but effective three-part structure:

1. Introduction
   • Hook - a question, fact, short story, or brief command
   • Background - one or two sentences that set the situation
   • Thesis - your clear claim and main reasons
2. Body Paragraphs - usually two or three
   • Topic sentence - the reason for this paragraph
   • Evidence and explanation - proof with your own explanation
   • Link - show how the evidence supports your claim
   • Optional - address a mini counterargument related to this reason
3. Conclusion
   • Restate the thesis in fresh words
   • Summarize the strongest reasons
   • Call to action - suggest what the reader should think or do

Paragraph recipe you can follow

• Topic sentence: One clear reason that supports your thesis
• Evidence 1 + Explanation: Show and tell why it matters
• Evidence 2 + Explanation: Add strength and detail
• Link or mini refutation: Close the paragraph by connecting back to the thesis or addressing a small counterpoint

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Part 7 - Use Sentence Variety for Power and Clarity

From Day 1 and Day 2 you learned that different sentence types create rhythm and emphasis.

• Declarative for stability: Recycling reduces costs for our school.
• Interrogative for reflection: How can we ignore visible trash beside our classrooms
• Imperative for action: Start the program this semester.
• Exclamatory for urgency - use sparingly: The time to act is now
• Conditional for cause and effect: If we add bins to each room, campus waste will decrease.
• Parallelism and anaphora for rhythm: We need clear rules, we need simple steps, we need shared responsibility.
• Antithesis for contrast: Not bigger budgets, but better habits will change our campus.

Slow-learner tip: After each paragraph, read it aloud and check if your sentences feel the same length. If they do, combine some, shorten others, or add one question to create variety.

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Part 8 - Transitions That Build Coherence

Transitions connect ideas so the reader does not get lost.

• Adding: also, in addition, furthermore
• Sequencing: first, next, finally
• Comparing: similarly, in the same way
• Contrasting: however, on the other hand, although
• Cause and effect: therefore, as a result, because
• Emphasis: in fact, clearly, most importantly
• Conclusion: in conclusion, overall, ultimately

Practice line

Reason: Reusable bottles reduce waste.
With transition: First, reusable bottles reduce waste because students refill instead of throwing away. As a result, campus trash decreases each month.

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Part 9 - Model Outline and Annotated Sample

Working topic: Our school should install water refill stations.

Outline

• Introduction
  • Hook - Every week our trash bins fill with hundreds of plastic bottles.
  • Background - Students buy water because refilling is not easy.
  • Thesis - The school should install water refill stations because they reduce waste, save money, and improve student health.
• Body 1 - Reduce waste
  • Evidence - Count of bottles from campus cleanup records
  • Explanation - Fewer bottles means cleaner campus and lower disposal cost
• Body 2 - Save money
  • Evidence - Price comparison between bottled water and refilling
  • Explanation - Students and the school keep more funds for learning needs
• Body 3 - Improve health
  • Evidence - Hydration supports focus in class
  • Mini counterargument - Machines may cost money
  • Refutation - Sponsorships and phased purchase can handle costs
• Conclusion
  • Restate - Refill stations are practical and wise
  • Summarize reasons - waste, money, health
  • Call to action - Start with two stations this semester

Annotated sample paragraph - Body 1

• Topic sentence: Refill stations will sharply reduce plastic waste on campus.
• Evidence: During last month’s cleanup, students collected over 1,200 empty bottles from hallways and fields.
• Explanation: When refilling becomes simple and visible, students stop buying as many single-use bottles, so daily trash drops.
• Link: Less waste means a cleaner campus and fewer hours spent managing trash.

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Part 10 - Drafting With Scaffolds

Use these sentence starters to begin each part.

Introduction starters

• Every day, ____ happens in our school or city.
• Many people think ____, but the facts suggest ____.
• This essay explains why ____ should ____.

Body starters

• First, ____ because ____.
• Another strong reason is ____ since ____.
• Some worry that ____, however ____ shows that ____.

Conclusion starters

• In conclusion, ____ is the most responsible choice.
• The reasons are clear - ____ , ____ , and ____.
• Begin with ____ today to create a better tomorrow.

Timed draft routine

• 5 minutes - fill the outline
• 15 minutes - write introduction and one body paragraph
• 15 minutes - write the next body paragraph
• 10 minutes - write the final body paragraph or a combined third paragraph
• 5 minutes - write the conclusion
• 10 minutes - revise and edit

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Part 11 - Revision - make it clearer and stronger

Revision improves ideas and organization. Editing fixes grammar and mechanics. Do revision first.

Revision checklist

• Thesis is clear and arguable
• Each body paragraph has one clear reason in the topic sentence
• Evidence is specific and explained in your own words
• Counterargument and refutation are present and fair
• Transitions guide the reader throughout
• Sentence variety keeps the rhythm lively
• Conclusion restates the thesis and ends with a call to action

Peer review prompts

• What is the strongest part and why
• Where did you get confused
• What sentence should be combined or cut
• What evidence needs a source or clearer explanation

Edit last

• Subject-verb agreement
• Punctuation of complex and compound sentences
• Consistent verb tense
• Capitalization and spelling
• Quotation marks and citation signal phrases for sources

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Part 12 - Ethical Use of Sources in Simple Steps

Even short school essays must show respect for sources.

• Keep a list as you read - title, author, year, publisher or website
• Use a short signal phrase - According to ____ (year), ____
• Paraphrase in your own words and include the source
• Quote only short, necessary parts inside quotation marks
• Include a short reference list at the end of your paper

Sentence frame

According to the city waste report in 2024, schools that added refill stations reduced bottle trash by 40 percent.

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Part 13 - Full Model Essay - 4 paragraphs

Title: Refill Stations - A Small Change With Big Results

Introduction
Every week our trash bins overflow with empty plastic water bottles. Students buy bottled water because refilling is not simple on campus. The school should install water refill stations because they reduce waste, save money, and improve student health.

Body Paragraph 1 - Reduce waste
Refill stations will sharply reduce plastic waste on campus. In the last cleanup, volunteers counted more than 1,200 empty bottles from hallways and fields. When refilling becomes easy and visible, students will bring reusable containers and stop buying extra bottles. Less plastic waste means cleaner grounds and fewer staff hours spent collecting and hauling trash.

Body Paragraph 2 - Save money
Refill stations also save money for families and the school. Buying bottled water each day costs far more than refilling a bottle for free. When students keep their own bottles, families spend less, and the school can redirect savings from trash handling toward books and lab supplies. Saving even a small amount each day adds up across a semester.

Body Paragraph 3 - Improve health with a fair response to costs
Hydration supports attention and memory, so convenient water refills help students learn. Some people worry that machines cost money. However, a phased plan and local sponsors can reduce the cost. A first step could be two stations in the busiest hallways, followed by more units next term if demand is high.

Conclusion
Installing water refill stations is a practical step that protects the campus and supports learning. The reasons are clear - less waste, lower cost, and better health. The school should begin with two units this semester and encourage students to bring reusable bottles starting next week.

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Part 14 - Step-by-Step Writing Routine You Can Follow Today

1. Pick a focused topic - school, community, or environment
2. Write a one sentence claim - your thesis
3. List three reasons - strongest first
4. Find one piece of evidence per reason - fact, example, or simple statistic
5. Plan a counterargument and refutation
6. Outline your essay - introduction, body 1, body 2, body 3, conclusion
7. Draft quickly - do not stop to edit
8. Revise for clarity - check reasons, evidence, and transitions
9. Edit for correctness - punctuation, capitalization, spelling
10. Read aloud - fix anything that sounds unclear
11. Finalize and format - title, paragraph spacing, reference list

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Part 15 - Mini Practice Tasks Inside the Lesson

Task A - Write or choose the better thesis

• Option 1: Pollution is bad.
• Option 2: Our barangay should set up weekend cleanup teams to reduce street trash and improve health.
• Best choice - Option 2 - it is specific and actionable.

Show Answer

Best choice - Option 2 - it is specific and actionable.

Task B - Match the part

• 1) What if every student brought a reusable bottle
• 2) Our school should install refill stations in two hallways
• 3) A local study found that refilling cut plastic waste by 40 percent
• 4) Begin with two stations this semester

Matches

• 1) Hook
• 2) Topic sentence or thesis
• 3) Supporting evidence
• 4) Call to action

Show Answer

• 1) Hook
• 2) Topic sentence or thesis
• 3) Supporting evidence
• 4) Call to action

Task C - Build a paragraph with frames

• Topic sentence: One reason to add refill stations is to reduce plastic waste.
• Add evidence: According to the campus cleanup record, volunteers collected ____ bottles last month.
• Explain the evidence: This shows that ____ because ____.
• Link: For this reason, ____ supports the plan.

Show Answer

• Students provide their own sentences following the frames above.

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Part 16 - Quick Troubleshooting Guide

• Problem - weak thesis
  Fix - name your action and three reasons
• Problem - paragraph repeats itself
  Fix - add a new piece of evidence or a mini counterargument
• Problem - no flow
  Fix - add clear transitions at the start of each paragraph
• Problem - emotional but not logical
  Fix - add a statistic, study, or real example
• Problem - grammar errors break the message
  Fix - read aloud, shorten long sentences, check punctuation of complex sentences

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📚 References

• Aristotle. Rhetoric - foundational discussion of ethos, logos, and pathos.
• Graff, G., & Birkenstein, C. (2014). They Say - I Say: The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing. W. W. Norton.
• Purdue Online Writing Lab. Argumentative Essays and Transitions - clear guidance on structure and cohesion.
• Toulmin, S. (1958). The Uses of Argument. Cambridge University Press - model for claim, data, warrant.
• Kirszner, L., & Mandell, S. (2017). Patterns for College Writing. Bedford - practical models of argument and revision.

💡 Example in Action (Day 4)

Example 1 - Writing an Introduction

Worked Example:
Every week, our trash bins overflow with empty plastic bottles. Students buy bottled water because refilling is not simple on campus. The school should install water refill stations because they reduce waste, save money, and improve health.

• Hook: shocking fact
• Background: problem situation
• Thesis: clear claim with 3 reasons

Now You Try:

1. Write a hook about the problem of noise pollution in the city.
2. Write a background sentence that explains why this is a problem for students.
3. Write a thesis statement that gives 2–3 reasons why schools should act on this problem.

Show Answer

1. Cars and buses fill the streets with deafening sounds every morning.
2. Noise makes it difficult for students to focus during class.
3. Schools should install noise-reducing windows because they improve focus and protect student health.

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Example 2 - Developing a Body Paragraph

Worked Example:
Refill stations will sharply reduce plastic waste on campus. In the last cleanup, volunteers counted more than 1,200 bottles from hallways and fields. When refilling becomes easy, students bring reusable bottles. Less waste means a cleaner campus and fewer staff hours collecting trash.

• Topic sentence: reason
• Evidence: statistic from cleanup
• Explanation: why evidence matters
• Link: connects back to claim

Now You Try:

1. Write a topic sentence about why planting trees is important in schools.
2. Add one piece of evidence that supports this reason.
3. Explain the evidence in your own words.

Show Answer

1. Planting trees in schools improves student well-being.
2. A study shows that green spaces reduce stress levels.
3. This means that students surrounded by trees feel calmer and concentrate better in class.

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Example 3 - Addressing a Counterargument

Worked Example:
Some people may argue that refill stations are too expensive. However, sponsors and phased purchases can reduce costs. Even if machines require money, the long-term savings from reduced waste outweigh the initial investment.

• Counterargument: cost concern
• Refutation: solution offered
• Reinforcement: benefit outweighs problem

Now You Try:

1. Write a counterargument about why banning plastic bags might be difficult.
2. Refute that counterargument with a solution.
3. Reinforce your main idea with a closing statement.

Show Answer

1. Some say banning plastic bags is difficult because people rely on them for shopping.
2. However, affordable reusable bags can replace them, and stores can offer discounts for using them.
3. This shows that banning plastic bags is both possible and beneficial.

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Example 4 - Using Rhetorical Devices in the Essay

Worked Example:
We need courage, we need unity, we need solutions. How can we allow plastic to poison our oceans? Act now - our planet cannot wait!

• Anaphora: repetition for rhythm
• Rhetorical Question: provokes thought
• Imperative/Exclamatory: strong call to action

Now You Try:

1. Write one sentence with parallel structure about recycling.
2. Write a rhetorical question about climate change.
3. Write an imperative sentence urging people to plant trees.

Show Answer

1. Recycling saves resources, saves energy, and saves lives.
2. How can we ignore the rising temperatures around the globe
3. Plant trees today to protect tomorrow.

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Example 5 - Writing a Strong Conclusion

Worked Example:
Installing water refill stations is a practical step that protects the campus and supports learning. The reasons are clear - less waste, lower cost, and better health. The school should begin with two units this semester and encourage students to bring reusable bottles starting next week.

• Restates thesis in fresh words
• Summarizes key reasons
• Ends with a clear call to action

Now You Try:

1. Restate this thesis in new words: Schools should start composting programs to reduce waste and improve soil quality.
2. Summarize two reasons that support composting.
3. Write a closing sentence that urges schools to take action.

Show Answer

1. Launching composting programs in schools is an effective way to cut down on waste and enrich the soil.
2. Composting decreases garbage in landfills and creates natural fertilizer for gardens.
3. Schools must adopt composting now to protect the environment and model responsibility.

📝 Try It Out (Day 4)

Directions: Read each task carefully and answer in your notebook.

1. Write one hook sentence for an essay about school uniforms.
2. Write a thesis statement for an essay about banning junk food in school canteens.
3. Write a topic sentence for a body paragraph about why exercise should be part of the daily class schedule.
4. Provide one piece of supporting evidence for this claim: Online learning can improve access to education.
5. Write a mini counterargument against banning social media for teenagers.
6. Write a refutation for the counterargument you created in Item 5.
7. Add a transition phrase that would fit at the beginning of a second body paragraph.
8. Write one sentence with parallel structure about protecting the environment.
9. Write a concluding sentence for an essay about planting trees in schools.
10. Write one call to action for an essay about reducing plastic waste in the community.

Show Answer

1. Every morning, students worry more about fashion than learning - school uniforms can fix that.
2. Junk food should be banned in school canteens because it harms health, reduces focus, and increases obesity.
3. Exercise should be part of the daily schedule because it improves student health and learning focus.
4. A UNESCO report in 2021 showed that online learning programs reached students in rural areas who lacked access to schools.
5. Some people say banning social media for teenagers would cut them off from friends.
6. However, limiting social media use encourages healthier communication and gives teens more time for study and rest.
7. Furthermore, another strong reason is…
8. We must recycle bottles, we must reuse bags, we must reduce waste.
9. Planting trees in schools creates shade, fresh air, and hope for the future.
10. Join the movement today - say no to single-use plastics in our community.

✅ Check Yourself (Day 4)

Directions: Answer the following items in your notebook.

Multiple Choice (1–5)

1. Which of the following is the best thesis statement?
   a) Pollution is bad.
   b) Schools should reduce waste.
   c) Schools should ban single-use plastics because they harm the environment, waste money, and endanger health.
   d) The environment is important.
2. Which sentence would most likely appear in the introduction of a persuasive essay?
   a) Every year, billions of plastic bottles are thrown away.
   b) Recycling programs reduce trash and save money.
   c) Therefore, schools must take action now.
   d) In conclusion, everyone should recycle.
3. A counterargument is:
   a) The main thesis of the essay.
   b) A reason supporting the author’s claim.
   c) An opposing viewpoint that the author addresses.
   d) A conclusion that repeats the claim.
4. Which transition best connects two body paragraphs?
   a) In conclusion
   b) Furthermore
   c) For example
   d) Therefore
5. Which of the following is a call to action?
   a) Students should plant trees in the schoolyard starting this semester.
   b) Trees provide shade and fresh air.
   c) Some say planting trees takes too much time.
   d) Trees are found in most parts of the world.

True or False (6–10)

6. The thesis statement is usually found at the end of the introduction.
7. Body paragraphs should each focus on more than one reason.
8. A conclusion should only summarize ideas, not persuade the reader again.
9. Refutation strengthens the essay by responding to opposing views.
10. Transitions help create coherence and guide the reader.

Short Answer (11–15)

11. Write one example of a hook for an essay about recycling.
12. Provide one supporting evidence for this thesis: Daily exercise improves student learning.
13. Write a short counterargument against banning cell phones in schools.
14. Write one sentence using a transition to begin a new body paragraph.
15. Write one concluding sentence for an essay about renewable energy.

Show Answer

MCQ:
1. c
2. a
3. c
4. b
5. a

True/False:
6. True
7. False (each body should focus on ONE reason)
8. False (a conclusion must persuade again and include a call to action)
9. True
10. True

Short Answer (Sample Answers):
11. Every day, our trash bins overflow with bottles and cans that could be recycled.
12. According to a study, students who exercised before class improved memory test scores by 20%.
13. Some argue that banning cell phones removes a useful tool for research and emergencies.
14. Another important reason schools should adopt composting is the health benefits of cleaner surroundings.
15. Renewable energy is the key to a cleaner future, and we must invest in it now.

🚀 Go Further (Day 4)

Activity 1 - Outline Builder

Students choose a topic (e.g., banning junk food, promoting clean energy, reducing plastic waste). They create a 5-part outline: Introduction (hook + thesis), 3 body paragraphs (reasons + evidence), and Conclusion (call to action).

Show Answer

Sample outline: Thesis - Schools should ban junk food because it harms health, reduces focus, and increases obesity. Body 1 - harms health (evidence: statistics). Body 2 - reduces focus (evidence: teacher observations). Body 3 - increases obesity (evidence: studies). Conclusion - Ban junk food this semester.

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Activity 2 - Counterargument Challenge

Teacher gives a thesis (e.g., School uniforms improve discipline). Students write one counterargument and then a refutation.

Show Answer

Counterargument: Uniforms are expensive for families. Refutation: However, schools can provide affordable packages and uniforms save money on daily clothing.

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Activity 3 - Peer Editing Pairs

Students exchange essays and use a peer editing checklist:

• Is the thesis clear
• Does each body paragraph have one reason + evidence
• Is there a counterargument and refutation
• Are transitions used
• Does the conclusion restate the thesis and call to action

Show Answer

Students should mark strengths, give 1 suggestion for improvement, and return essays for revision.

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Activity 4 - Persuasion Poster

Students design a poster that includes a short persuasive essay (3–4 paragraphs) on a school/community issue. Must include:

• Hook (in bold at the top)
• Evidence (in bullet points)
• Call to action (as the closing line at the bottom)

Show Answer

Sample poster: Ban Plastic Bottles Now! Hook - 1,200 bottles collected last month. Evidence - reduces waste, saves money, protects health. Call to action - Bring reusable bottles starting Monday.

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Activity 5 - Mini Debate Presentations

Groups of 3–4 choose one issue and prepare a mini persuasive debate (2–3 minutes). Must include:

• Introduction with thesis
• At least 2 body arguments with evidence
• One counterargument + refutation
• Conclusion with call to action

Show Answer

Sample debate: Thesis - Schools should plant trees. Argument 1 - improves air quality. Argument 2 - provides shade. Counterargument - takes money and time. Refutation - student volunteers + donations make it affordable. Conclusion - Plant trees this year to protect the future.

🔗 My Reflection (Day 4)

Free Writing

Instruction for students: Write a short reflection (5–7 sentences) in your notebook about your experience writing a complete persuasive essay today.

• Think about how you started (introduction).
• Explain what you learned about writing body paragraphs with evidence.
• Share what you found easy and what was most challenging.
• Reflect on how including a counterargument changed your essay.
• State one way you will improve your next essay.

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Checklist (Tabular Form)

Criteria	Yes (✔)	Not Yet (✘)
I wrote an introduction with a clear hook and thesis.
Each body paragraph had one reason supported with evidence.
I included a counterargument and refutation.
I used transition words to connect ideas.
My conclusion restated the thesis and included a call to action.
I revised and edited my essay for clarity and correctness.