Download Formula for writing a persuasive/argumentative essay Intro (total of 5

Formula for writing a persuasive/argumentative essay
I. Intro (total of 5 sentences)
A. Contextual Piece---“Set the Stage”—discuss the era generally.
B. Thesis/Claim/Answer —your claim or answer to the prompt.
Ex) “A…because of X, Y, and Z… (1-2 sentences).
II. Body Paragraph 1: Topic Sentence (How does X apply to your thesis or
answer?)
A. Specific evidence (Proper nouns/specific factual evidence)
1. Evidence A
2. Evidence B
3. Analysis -Explaining how X due to evidence A & B is significant to
your thesis or answer to prompt.
Repeat steps from II above for Body Paragraphs 2 and 3. Introducing new
evidence to support points Y and Z.
Note: The body could be 2 paragraphs depending on your THESIS and
how YOU choose to respond to the prompt or set up your essay .
III. Concluding Paragraph:
Repeat your thesis answer from intro. Next, drop the “Synthesis Bomb”.
Synthesis Bomb---introduce a new piece of evidence or “clincher”
statement, which supports your thesis but was NOT part of your
original thesis. This new evidence should come from another historical
era, subject, or category (i.e. political, social, economic).
 Support the “Synthesis Bomb” with specific factual evidence D & E
(proper nouns) and tie it into your overall argument (Analysis).
***Your paragraphs should be a min. of five sentences each.
** You can use this formula for DBQ essay and LEQ that we will write in class.
** If you get stuck and cannot think of distinctive categories which guide your
body paragraphs, you may use these: economic, social, and political …you just
have to think of specific evidence to add for each.
Who is the greatest basketball player in the history of the NBA?
Thesis: Although there have been many great players in the history of the
NBA and it is difficult to compare them due to the changes that have
occurred in the NBA over the last 100 years, Michael Jordan is the
greatest ever because (X) he scored the most points in his career, (Y)
earned the greatest number of MVP awards, and (Z) won the most
championships.
Body Paragraph # 1-  forgive the false data 
Topic Sentence- Most experts in the field of professional basketball analysis
measure statistics and data as a way to compare players from different eras.
The greatest scorer of points in NBA History is Michael Jordan.
Evidence A. – Jordan scored the Most Points ever in a single game 100.
Evidence B. - Jordan scored the Most Points ever in his career, 2 milliion.
Analysis- why is this significant -Because each game is determined by the
team that scores the most points, the player who contributes the most points
can be judged as the most effective player, thus the greatest in that game or
of all time due their largest contribution to winning.
BP # 2 discusses Y
BP # 3 discusses Z
Concluding Paragraph: Note the “Synthesis Bomb,” (new category of
comparison-- $$$$ -- and the specific evidence used and the analysis of
how that is significant to my thesis, thus answering the prompt.
Basketball has been played by countless numbers of Men and Women in
America over many years, on courts indoor and outside, and is game that can
be played be people of all ages. Michael Jordan most experts agree is the
greatest player of all time due to his scoring prowess, his many Most
Valuable Player of the NBA awards, and his ability to win championships.
There are many measures of greatness, but in America one common measure
regardless of field is money earned and Michael Jordan has earned more
money than anyone who has ever played the game of basketball. His brand,
MJ –Air Jordan, has transformed the financial perspective of professional
sports; Marketing his greatness on TV, Print Media, and in Popular Culture
has earned Michael Jordan the title of the King of Basketball History.