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Persuasive Essay Assignment

ENG 4U1

PERSUASIVE ESSAY ASSIGNMENT

Choosing one of the topics provided below, write a 700-800 word persuasive essay. This is

informal in nature and should reflect your own beliefs. You may use facts that you’ve gathered,

anecdotes, quotations, dialogue and/or descriptive detail. Follow these steps:

A) Break the topic down and consider all possible points supporting both sides of the topic.

B) Choose which side of the topic you might argue more effectively, and develop as many points

as possible before writing your rough draft.

C) When writing your introductory paragraph, be sure to define your terms (e.g. technology, fast,

values, isolated, master, etc) and to state your thesis clearly.

D) When writing your 3–4 body paragraphs, you must include a paragraph in which you

introduce the opposing side of the argument and demonstrate its weaknesses.

(For an effective example of this technique, you might read “The Enchanted Forest” in your

Echoes anthology.)

E) After writing your rough draft, have someone look it over and offer feedback regarding your

essay. Your reader should consider the following questions. Is the essay convincing? Do you

need to include more evidence to support your thesis? Is it effectively organized? Are you

concluding with your most convincing point? Does the essay contradict itself? Are there errors

in spelling, punctuation, and/or sentence structure?

Essay Topics:

1. Evolving technology: does it bring us closer together or lead to greater alienation?

2. Do media have an ethical responsibility?

3. Public education: does it serve us best as an agent for reforming society or imposing

conformity amongst the masses?

4. The safety of the majority is more important than the privacy of the individual.

5. Does advertising have the power to manipulate the individual?

Essay Due Date: _______________________________

Persuasive Essay Assignment