Persuasive Essay
For essay number 2, you will choose one of the topics on page 33 part A.
Below you will see 3 sample introductions. Notice how these introductions start general and end specific. The final sentence is the thesis statement. It clearly states the writer’s opinions about the topic and uses persuasive language like the word should.
Sample Introduction for topic 1
Competitive Sports at a Young Age
Sports are a big part of children’s lives all over the world. Most kids grow up watching them on TV with their parents. Families might have a favorite team and the kids will idolize a certain player. Many children also start playing sports as young children. The benefits of exercise are well known. Some kids kick soccer balls or shoot hoops with their friends. Others take dance classes or just enjoy running around. A few of these kids will show real talent. They might start to play on a team. If they are really good, they might want to play competitively or even professionally. Parents have a tough choice to make at this point. Should they let their children follow their dreams even if it could disrupt their family life and education? In my opinion, allowing talented young athletes to play sports competitively is a good idea and should be encouraged.
First of all, this is a good idea because.......
Sample introduction for topic 2 n (We are NOT writing about this topic, but they are examples)
Young Child Stars
There are some children who seem like natural performers from birth. These could be the kids who love to pose for cameras, sing solos in school concerts, or pretend to be their favorite TV stars for fun. Maybe they have a special look or seem more mature for their age. Parents who notice these qualities in their children might think their child could become the next Drew Barrymore, who appeared in her first TV commercial at 11 months old and still acts today more than 30 years later. They will think of the money and the fame and then try to help their children to become famous actors. However, this is a terrible idea. Parents should not encourage children to follow this path.
Sample introduction for topic 2 with a counterargument
Young Child Stars
Most kids grow up watching TV and movies and at some point have a favorite actor. Some of these kids might dream of being famous someday too. Who wouldn't want to be famous? They could make a lot of money for their families, travel around the world, make friends that are famous, and be known and admired by everyone. Sometimes it's the parents who see special qualities in their children and encourage them to follow this path. However, this is a terrible idea. Parents should encourage their children to do many things, but becoming a famous TV or movie star is not one of them.
The Body
You need 2 or 3 body paragraphs. Each body paragraph should begin with a main supporting idea to support your thesis and then include specific details and examples. See page 39 in the book.
The Conclusion
Look on page 47 for information about writing the conclusion for this essay.
The book mentions some strategies you can use.
For example, if you think it is good for children to become famous actors or competitive athletes you could mention some of the counterarguments (negative points) about this and give some tips about how to avoid them to show that they are really not a big deal. You always want to support your own thesis.
Or, you could highlight all the good things this will bring to the child's life in the future.
Or, if you think it is a bad idea, you could offer alternatives for these kids such as playing on a school team or joining an acting club at school and waiting until after high school or college to pursue their acting dream. Also, if you think it is a bad idea, you can emphasize once again all the dangers of going down this path and how their lives will be affected negatively in the future.
Gabby Douglas
Good things about competing professionally at a young age
She became famous. She makes money from sponsorships. (commercials and advertisements)
She is recognized around the world. She became a role model for other young girls. She is a leader.
She can stick to a strict schedule- discipline and responsibility.
She can perform under pressure. She has self confidence.
She can get grants for college.
She can be a professional trainer.
Bad things
It is stressful.
It is dangerous.
She was haunted by a past mistake.
She doesn't have a social life.
It has physical effects.
It has negative effects.
She has little time for school. It might be difficult to catch up later.
She can't do this forever.
Competetive sports at a young age
good reasons
It can put the family in a good financial situation. (they can get a scholarships)
Playing competetive sports can keep kids away from drug addiction.
They can discover their talents.
They can learn real-life skills (discipline, responsibility, keeping a schedule)
They can travel.
bad reasons
They will have less time to spend with the family.
They grow up too fast
It can be physically demanding and even dangerous.
They don't have time to study.
They will lose their social life and private life.
The document below has information about writing body paragraphs and the conclusion:
For essay number 2, you will choose one of the topics on page 33 part A.
Below you will see 3 sample introductions. Notice how these introductions start general and end specific. The final sentence is the thesis statement. It clearly states the writer’s opinions about the topic and uses persuasive language like the word should.
Sample Introduction for topic 1
Competitive Sports at a Young Age
Sports are a big part of children’s lives all over the world. Most kids grow up watching them on TV with their parents. Families might have a favorite team and the kids will idolize a certain player. Many children also start playing sports as young children. The benefits of exercise are well known. Some kids kick soccer balls or shoot hoops with their friends. Others take dance classes or just enjoy running around. A few of these kids will show real talent. They might start to play on a team. If they are really good, they might want to play competitively or even professionally. Parents have a tough choice to make at this point. Should they let their children follow their dreams even if it could disrupt their family life and education? In my opinion, allowing talented young athletes to play sports competitively is a good idea and should be encouraged.
First of all, this is a good idea because.......
Sample introduction for topic 2 n (We are NOT writing about this topic, but they are examples)
Young Child Stars
There are some children who seem like natural performers from birth. These could be the kids who love to pose for cameras, sing solos in school concerts, or pretend to be their favorite TV stars for fun. Maybe they have a special look or seem more mature for their age. Parents who notice these qualities in their children might think their child could become the next Drew Barrymore, who appeared in her first TV commercial at 11 months old and still acts today more than 30 years later. They will think of the money and the fame and then try to help their children to become famous actors. However, this is a terrible idea. Parents should not encourage children to follow this path.
Sample introduction for topic 2 with a counterargument
Young Child Stars
Most kids grow up watching TV and movies and at some point have a favorite actor. Some of these kids might dream of being famous someday too. Who wouldn't want to be famous? They could make a lot of money for their families, travel around the world, make friends that are famous, and be known and admired by everyone. Sometimes it's the parents who see special qualities in their children and encourage them to follow this path. However, this is a terrible idea. Parents should encourage their children to do many things, but becoming a famous TV or movie star is not one of them.
The Body
You need 2 or 3 body paragraphs. Each body paragraph should begin with a main supporting idea to support your thesis and then include specific details and examples. See page 39 in the book.
The Conclusion
Look on page 47 for information about writing the conclusion for this essay.
The book mentions some strategies you can use.
For example, if you think it is good for children to become famous actors or competitive athletes you could mention some of the counterarguments (negative points) about this and give some tips about how to avoid them to show that they are really not a big deal. You always want to support your own thesis.
Or, you could highlight all the good things this will bring to the child's life in the future.
Or, if you think it is a bad idea, you could offer alternatives for these kids such as playing on a school team or joining an acting club at school and waiting until after high school or college to pursue their acting dream. Also, if you think it is a bad idea, you can emphasize once again all the dangers of going down this path and how their lives will be affected negatively in the future.
Gabby Douglas
Good things about competing professionally at a young age
She became famous. She makes money from sponsorships. (commercials and advertisements)
She is recognized around the world. She became a role model for other young girls. She is a leader.
She can stick to a strict schedule- discipline and responsibility.
She can perform under pressure. She has self confidence.
She can get grants for college.
She can be a professional trainer.
Bad things
It is stressful.
It is dangerous.
She was haunted by a past mistake.
She doesn't have a social life.
It has physical effects.
It has negative effects.
She has little time for school. It might be difficult to catch up later.
She can't do this forever.
Competetive sports at a young age
good reasons
It can put the family in a good financial situation. (they can get a scholarships)
Playing competetive sports can keep kids away from drug addiction.
They can discover their talents.
They can learn real-life skills (discipline, responsibility, keeping a schedule)
They can travel.
bad reasons
They will have less time to spend with the family.
They grow up too fast
It can be physically demanding and even dangerous.
They don't have time to study.
They will lose their social life and private life.
The document below has information about writing body paragraphs and the conclusion:
writing body paragraphs | |
File Size: | 110 kb |
File Type: | docx |