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Persuasive essay outline toolkit
| Action Item | Notes | Example |
|---|---|---|
Step I | The first step in creating an outline for a persuasive essay is to identify the topic you will be writing on, this would involve clearly stating what the essay is going to be about. It sets the stage for the persuasive argument you're about to make. | If you are writing an essay on environmental education, your topic can be “The Importance of Environmental Education in Schools for a Sustainable Future”. |
Step II | Once you've identified your topic, the subsequent step involves clarifying the purpose of your essay. Generally, the purpose of a persuasive essay is to convince or persuade, the reader that the opinion, assertion, or claim, of the writer, is correct or valid. | If your objective is to persuade your readers, you can state, “The purpose of this essay is to persuade readers to implement environmental education in schools to foster a sustainable future”. |
Step III | This section of your outline is dedicated to crafting the central argument, known as the thesis statement, for your essay. A persuasive thesis usually contains an opinion and the reason why your opinion is true. | Continuing the example, your thesis statement for the topic could be, “Environmental education in schools is vital for cultivating a generation that values and actively participates in sustainable practices.” |
Step IV | Now, it's time to chart the course for your essay by outlining the key components. A persuasive essay will have an introduction paragraph that introduces the main argument, multiple body paragraphs that discuss sub-arguments that support the main argument. | The main points for your essay could be
|
Step V | After introducing the main points of your essay, the next step involves in-depth elaboration on each of these points, substantiated by relevant examples. In this section, you will explicitly outline the main points to be discussed and specify the examples that will reinforce your arguments. | In your main point “Benefits of Environmental Education”, sub-points you can include can be
|
Step VI | Academic essays will require you to cite all information presented, along with the need to attribute examples, quotes, and data that support your arguments. Within this context, you should clearly outline the sources from which you will be citing information. | You can cite real-world examples, and case studies, and provide information on the need for environmental education. |
Step VII | A hook serves the purpose of capturing the reader's attention and piquing their curiosity. A persuasive essay generally uses a question to create a hook to grab the attention of its readers. | You can start the introduction with a question to create a hook like “Can you remember the last time your school had a subject on environmental education, if yes? Did it talk about anything more than three types of pollution?”. Then you continue to present the significance and role of education in addressing environmental challenges. |
Step VIII | After you have stated your key points, it's time to conclude your essay. You can conclude with a persuasive essay by addressing opposing viewpoints and explaining why readers should align with your position. | In the conclusion, you will restate the thesis by emphasizing the importance of environmental education and then summarize key points you made in the essay. |
Step IX | Transition words play a crucial role in ensuring the seamless flow of your writing, facilitating smooth transitions between sentences, paragraphs, and topics. Persuasive essays generally use cause-and-effect transitions for the purpose of creating a persuasion. | You can use words like “furthermore”, and “for instance” to transition from one idea, concept, or sentence to another. |
Step X | With your outline now complete, take a moment to revisit it, ensuring it maintains logical coherence and comprehensiveness. Make any necessary revisions as you review. | Finally, during the review, you will need to ensure that each point flows logically and you have included all the necessary information and didn’t add any extra points. |
Once you are done with these steps, this is what your structure will look like
Introduction
- Present the significance of environmental issues in today's world.
- Highlight the role of education in addressing environmental challenges.
Thesis
Environmental education in schools is vital for cultivating a generation that values and actively participates in sustainable practices.
Understanding Environmental Education
- Define environmental education and its objectives.
- Discuss its relevance in fostering environmental awareness.
Benefits of Environmental Education
- Examine how environmental education helps students develop critical thinking skills
- Explain how it instills a sense of responsibility towards the environment.
Practical Applications of Environmental Education
- Provide examples of schools or educational programs successfully implementing environmental education
- Discuss the positive outcomes and impacts on students and their communities.
Conclusion
- Reiterate the thesis statement, emphasizing the importance of environmental education
- Summarize the key points presented in the essay.
This is what your outline will look like
Firstly, the essay will discuss environmental education by defining it and discussing its relevance in fostering awareness. Secondly, the essay will shed light on the benefits of environmental education while emphasizing how it helps students develop critical thinking skills, and instill a sense of responsibility towards the environment. Lastly, some practical applications of environmental education will be discussed by providing real-world examples and discussing their outcomes and impact on students.
How to write an outline for a persuasive essay
1. Identify the topic
The first and crucial step in crafting an effective outline for a persuasive essay is to pinpoint the specific topic you will be addressing. Clearly stating your chosen topic is essential because it provides your readers with a clear understanding of what your essay will discuss. It sets the stage for the persuasive argument you're about to make.
If you are writing an essay on environmental education, your topic can be “The Importance of Environmental Education in Schools for a Sustainable Future”
2. Define the objective
Once your topic is defined, the next step is to clarify the objective of your persuasive essay. In the realm of persuasion, your primary goal is to convince your readers that your viewpoint is valid and worthy of their support. This is the essence of persuasive writing.
If your objective is to persuade your readers, you can state, “The purpose of this essay is to persuade readers to implement environmental education in schools to foster a sustainable future”
3. Craft the thesis
Within your outline, dedicate a section to crafting a compelling thesis statement. Your thesis is the backbone of your persuasive essay, encapsulating your stance and the reasons why your perspective holds true.
Continuing the example, your thesis statement for the topic could be, “Environmental education in schools is vital for cultivating a generation that values and actively participates in sustainable practices.”
4. Main points
Now, let's delve into outlining the main components of your essay. A persuasive essay typically comprises an introduction that introduces the central argument, followed by multiple body paragraphs that delve into sub-arguments supporting the main claim.
The main points for your essay could be :
- Understanding Environmental Education
- Benefits of Environmental Education
- Practical Applications of Environmental Education
5. Sub-points
After introducing the main points of your essay, the next step involves in-depth elaboration on each of these points, substantiated by relevant examples. In this section, you will explicitly outline the main points to be discussed and specify the examples that will reinforce your arguments.
Understanding Environmental Education
- Define environmental education and its objectives.
- Discuss its relevance in fostering environmental awareness.
Benefits of Environmental Education
- Examine how environmental education helps students develop critical thinking skills.
- Explain how it instills a sense of responsibility towards the environment.
Practical Applications of Environmental Education
- Provide examples of schools or educational programs successfully implementing environmental education
- Discuss the positive outcomes and impacts on students and their communities.
All will be explained with examples and backed with statistical data.
6. Evidence and citations
A persuasive essay demands proper citations and attribution of information, examples, quotes, and data that support your arguments. Within your outline, clearly specify the sources from which you will draw evidence.
You can cite real-world examples, and case studies, and provide information on the need for environmental education.
7. Introduction and hook
The introduction is where you captivate your readers' attention and arouse their curiosity. In persuasive writing, a well-crafted hook, often in the form of a compelling question, serves as the gateway to your essay.
You can start the introduction with a question to create a hook like “Can you remember the last time your school had a subject on environmental education, if yes? Did it talk about anything more than three types of pollution?”. Then you continue to present the significance and role of education in addressing environmental challenges.
8. Conclusion
Once you've presented your key points and arguments, it's time to wrap up your essay persuasively. A persuasive essay's conclusion should address opposing viewpoints and reiterate why your position is the most valid one.
In the conclusion, you will restate the thesis by emphasizing the importance of environmental education and then summarize key points you made in the essay
9. Transitions
Transition words play a crucial role in ensuring the seamless flow of your writing, facilitating smooth transitions between sentences, paragraphs, and topics. Persuasive essays generally use cause-and-effect transitions for the purpose of creating persuasion
You can use words like “furthermore”, and “for instance” to transition from an idea, concept, or sentence to another
10. Refine and review
Lastly, take a moment to review and refine your outline. Ensure that it maintains logical coherence and comprehensiveness. Make any necessary revisions as you assess the structure and content for clarity and persuasiveness.
Finally, during the review, you will need to ensure that each point flows logically and you have included all the necessary information and didn’t add any extra points.
