Writing the Persuasive Essay

1. Writing the Persuasive Essay

2. Graphic Organizer • An effective persuasive essay should be well-organized and clear • The graphic organizer helps organize your thoughts before you begin writing • Use the front side for identifying your thesis and key reasons • Use the back side for identifying the support for each reason

3. REASON #1 (body paragraph 1) REASON #1 (body paragraph 1) Scylla could not be avoided except by sheer luck – certain death lay ahead for at least 6 men Scylla struck the most fear in to sailor’s hearts by the viciousness of her attacks THESIS Scylla was the most dangerous creature Odysseus faced COUNTER-ARGUMNENT (body paragraph 3 – part 1) COUNTER-ARGUMNENT REFUTATION (body paragraph 3 – part 2) The Lastrygoneans were more dangerous – there were more of them and they actually killed more men The Lastrygoneans could have been avoided with more caution

4. Reason (Trait) Support • Scylla was basically a mountain on the edge of a narrow strait – could hardly be seen before it was too late • No defense against her: “As I sent them on toward Scylla, I / told them nothing, as they could do nothing” (783-6). • In avoiding Scylla, a boat would be pulled into Charybdis’ mouth, destroying everyone 1 Scylla could not be avoided except by sheer luck – certain death lay ahead for at least 6 men Scylla struck the most fear in to sailor’s hearts by the viciousness of her attacks 2 3 Counter-argument The Lastrygoneans were more dangerous – there were more of them and they actually killed more men Refutation The Lastrygoneans could have been avoided with more caution

5. Basic Essay Structure • Introduction - states your thesis and briefly states your supporting reasons • Body paragraphs – each one gives one distinct reason to support your thesis • Conclusion – Reminds readers of your thesis You can transfer your graphic organizer notes DIRECTLY to your essay.

6. Body Paragraphs • Each body paragraph gives a distinct reason that supports your thesis • Each body paragraph has the same basic structure: • Topic Sentence (the paragraph’s main point) • Support/Example (your reason for thinking so) • Elaboration • So what? • How does this prove the point? • What related points does this possibly connect to?

7. Paragraph Example: Body A mountain of gray rock sitting on the edge of the narrow straight, Scylla was virtually impossible to avoid. Only by the sheer luck, or help from the gods, sailors might not be noticed as they passed by. But it doesn’t seem that this would often happen. Scylla, on the other hand, could barely even be seen by approaching ships. Once Scylla saw a ship, she would always strike, and there was no way to defend against her, as Odysseus knew: “As I sent them on toward Scylla, I / told them nothing, as they could do nothing. / They would have dropped their oars again, in panic, / to roll for cover under the decking” (783-6). Avoiding Scylla by sailing out of her reach was also impossible; Charybdis, the great sea beast that created a churning whirlpool and could swallow a ship whole, would destroy any ship that strayed out of Scylla’s reach. Charybdis could be avoided – but only by scrificing six men to Scylla. You can transfer your graphic organizer notes DIRECTLY to your essay.

8. Reason (Trait) Support • Scylla was basically a mountain on the edge of a narrow strait – could hardly be seen before it was too late • No defense against her: “As I sent them on toward Scylla, I / told them nothing, as they could do nothing” (783-6). • In avoiding Scylla, a boat would be pulled into Charybdis’ mouth, destroying everyone 1 Scylla could not be avoided except by sheer luck – certain death lay ahead for at least 6 men Scylla struck the most fear in to sailor’s hearts by the viciousness of her attacks 2 3 Counter-argument The Lastrygoneans were more dangerous – there were more of them and they actually killed more men Refutation The Lastrygoneans could have been avoided with more caution

9. Paragraph Example: Body Topic sentence A mountain of gray rock sitting on the edge of the narrow straight, Scylla was virtually impossible to avoid. Only by the sheer luck, or help from the gods, sailors might not be noticed as they passed by. But it doesn’t seem that this would often happen. Scylla, on the other hand, could barely even be seen by approaching ships. Once Scylla saw a ship, she would always strike, and there was no way to defend against her, as Odysseus knew: “As I sent them on toward Scylla, I / told them nothing, as they could do nothing. / They would have dropped their oars again, in panic, / to roll for cover under the decking” (783-6). Avoiding Scylla by sailing out of her reach was also impossible; Charybdis, the great sea beast that created a churning whirlpool and could swallow a ship whole, would destroy any ship that strayed out of Scylla’s reach. Charybdis could be avoided – but only by scrificing six men to Scylla.

10. Reason (Trait) Support • Scylla was basically a mountain on the edge of a narrow strait – could hardly be seen before it was too late • No defense against her: “As I sent them on toward Scylla, I / told them nothing, as they could do nothing” (783-6). • In avoiding Scylla, a boat would be pulled into Charybdis’ mouth, destroying everyone 1 Scylla could not be avoided except by sheer luck – certain death lay ahead for at least 6 men Scylla struck the most fear in to sailor’s hearts by the viciousness of her attacks 2 3 Counter-argument The Lastrygoneans were more dangerous – there were more of them and they actually killed more men Refutation The Lastrygoneans could have been avoided with more caution

11. Paragraph Example: Body Topic sentence Support #1: Straight from notes A mountain of gray rock sitting on the edge of the narrow strait, Scylla was virtually impossible to avoid. Only by the sheer luck, or help from the gods, sailors might not be noticed as they passed by. But it doesn’t seem that this would often happen. Scylla, on the other hand, could barely even be seen by approaching ships. Once Scylla saw a ship, she would always strike, and there was no way to defend against her, as Odysseus knew: “As I sent them on toward Scylla, I / told them nothing, as they could do nothing. / They would have dropped their oars again, in panic, / to roll for cover under the decking” (783-6). Avoiding Scylla by sailing out of her reach was also impossible; Charybdis, the great sea beast that created a churning whirlpool and could swallow a ship whole, would destroy any ship that strayed out of Scylla’s reach. Charybdis could be avoided – but only by scrificing six men to Scylla.

12. Reason (Trait) Support • Scylla was basically a mountain on the edge of a narrow strait – could hardly be seen before it was too late • No defense against her: “As I sent them on toward Scylla, I / told them nothing, as they could do nothing” (783-6). • In avoiding Scylla, a boat would be pulled into Charybdis’ mouth, destroying everyone 1 Scylla could not be avoided except by sheer luck – certain death lay ahead for at least 6 men Scylla struck the most fear in to sailor’s hearts by the viciousness of her attacks 2 3 Counter-argument The Lastrygoneans were more dangerous – there were more of them and they actually killed more men Refutation The Lastrygoneans could have been avoided with more caution

13. Paragraph Example: Body Topic sentence Support #1: Straight from notes A mountain of gray rock sitting on the edge of the narrow straight, Scylla was virtually impossible to avoid. Only by the sheer luck, or help from the gods, sailors might not be noticed as they passed by. But it doesn’t seem that this would often happen. Scylla, on the other hand, could barely even be seen by approaching ships. Once Scylla saw a ship, she would always strike, and there was no way to defend against her, as Odysseus knew: “As I sent them on toward Scylla, I / told them nothing, as they could do nothing. / They would have dropped their oars again, in panic, / to roll for cover under the decking” (783-6). Avoiding Scylla by sailing out of her reach was also impossible; Charybdis, the great sea beast that created a churning whirlpool and could swallow a ship whole, would destroy any ship that strayed out of Scylla’s reach. Charybdis could be avoided – but only by scrificing six men to Scylla. Support #2: Straight from notes

14. Reason (Trait) Support • Scylla was basically a mountain on the edge of a narrow strait – could hardly be seen before it was too late • No defense against her: “As I sent them on toward Scylla, I / told them nothing, as they could do nothing” (783-6). • In avoiding Scylla, a boat would be pulled into Charybdis’ mouth, destroying everyone 1 Scylla could not be avoided except by sheer luck – certain death lay ahead for at least 6 men Scylla struck the most fear in to sailor’s hearts by the viciousness of her attacks 2 3 Counter-argument The Lastrygoneans were more dangerous – there were more of them and they actually killed more men Refutation The Lastrygoneans could have been avoided with more caution

15. Paragraph Example: Body Topic sentence Support #1: Straight from notes A mountain of gray rock sitting on the edge of the narrow straight, Scylla was virtually impossible to avoid. Only by the sheer luck, or help from the gods, sailors might not be noticed as they passed by. But it doesn’t seem that this would often happen. Scylla, on the other hand, could barely even be seen by approaching ships. Once Scylla saw a ship, she would always strike, and there was no way to defend against her, as Odysseus knew: “As I sent them on toward Scylla, I / told them nothing, as they could do nothing. / They would have dropped their oars again, in panic, / to roll for cover under the decking” (783-6). Avoiding Scylla by sailing out of her reach was also impossible; Charybdis, the great sea beast that created a churning whirlpool and could swallow a ship whole, would destroy any ship that strayed out of Scylla’s reach. Charybdis could be avoided – but only by sacrificing six men to Scylla. Quotation marks Support #2: Straight from notes Slashes to show the end of poetic lines Quoted Passage Support #3: Straight from notes Line numbers in parentheses

16. Introduction • Catches the reader’s attention with interesting, vivid language • Presents the thesis statement clearly • Briefly introduces the main reasons that support your thesis • Provides any necessary background info • Who? What? Where? When?

17. Paragraph Example: Introduction Catchy and informative lead-in Odysseus, the great hero of the Trojan War, faced a seemingly unending barrage of dangers as he attempted to return home to Ithaca. One-eyed man-eating giants, cruel enchantresses, the temptations of escapism, an array of sea beasts, and even the gods were, at one time or another, out to kill Odysseus and his men. Of all the threats Odysseus faced, however, the most dangerous could not be avoided or defended against and was terrifying in her viciousness: the six-headed sea beast Scylla. Reason #1 was Thesis statement Reason #2 The introduction does not have to be very long; it just needs to be clearandinteresting, giving just enough background information so the reader knows what you’re writing about

18. Conclusion • General statement about the poem’s theme from your own knowledge or experience • Restates thesis and reasons • Don’t just repeat the same exact phrases from your introduction • “Food for thought” – an idea related to your argument that gives the reader something more to think about

19. Paragraph Example: Conclusion Deciding which of the many incredible enemies Odysseus faced on his long journey home was the most dangerous is like choosing the worst meal: prison glop or cold mystery meat. All were awful, and it took tremendous strength, courage, and wit for Odysseus to escape them all and return home. But there is no question that Scylla, the mountainous and murderous six-headed beast who dangled men like fish on a line as he ate them, was the most dangerous of all. The vision of this monster and the others with whom Odysseus contended shows us, perhaps, the dread with which the ancient Greeks viewed the world beyond home. General statement about your thesis from your own knowledge or experience Restatement of main body ideas “Food for thought” – an idea related to your argument that gives the reader something to think about