ESSAY STRUCTURE

NAME: Melissa Chacón Gaitán CODE: 0000286279 GROUP: _______________

HOW TO WRITE A PERSUASIVE ESSAY

OBJECTIVES: To identify the purpose of a persuasive essay and its parts.

Watch the video in VS and complete the following activities.

ACTIVITY 1: What is the function of the persuasive essay?

Convince the reader with arguments about different controversial topics
ACTIVITY 2: Complete the chart:

What is the structure of a persuasive Essay? Main characteristics

1. Hook It catches the reader´s attention

Paragraph 1
2. Background A context to the topic that connected to the
INTRODUCTION thesis statement

3. Thesis Your position towards the topic selected

Statement

1. Topic Provide a reason that supports the thesis

sentence statement
Paragraph 2
2. Supporting Details and examples
ARGUMENT details

3. Closing A final idea showing a hypothetical

sentence consequence

1. Topic Ideas that opposes to the thesis statement

BODY
sentence
Paragraph 3
2. Refutation Refuses the oppositive view to consolidate the
COUNTER-ARGUMENT initial thesis statement

3. Suporting Details and examples

details

4. Closing Short idea

sentene

1. Restatement of Reminds the thesis

the thesis
Paragraph 4
2. Summary of Summarizes the topic sentence un the first
CONCLUSION the main argument and refutation
points

3. Strong ending Final strong idea

sentence
ACTIVITY 3: Read the essay titled: FREE SPEECH: SHOULD IT BE “FREE”? Highlight with different colors, and name the parts of the
essay’s structure.

Hook Yellow .
Background information Blue
Thesis statement Red.
Topic sentence Purple.
Supporting data Orange
Closing sentences (2) Green.
Opposite view Pink-
Refutation Brown
Thesis restatement Grey.
Summary of main points Light blue.
Strong ending sentence Green.

FREE SPEECH: SHOULD IT BE “FREE”?

HOOK

Grammar tenses
How does free speech affect the life of those who use social networks? Free speech used:Present simple
has been defined as the right to express any opinions without censorship or restrain. Present Perfect
Introduction

However, this definition may seem insufficient since online users cannot only share Present Continuous
personal information but also give their opinion on someone else’s profile. Unfortunately,
most people do not know the limits to express themselves in virtual platforms, which
has been causing serious problems in terms of online regulation and people’s safety.
Having this in mind, free speech in social network should be controlled by the local
government as the main authorities. (100 words)

Grammar tenses
used: Future simple
First, free speech is causing cyber-bulling. The latest empirical studies have Past simple
Present simple
demonstrated a link between the use of social networks and this new form of peer
Argument 1

Present Perfect
aggression that takes advantage of the massiveness of internet where the information
can be easily and rapidly shared. For instance an experiment conducted in Germany
demonstrated that a rumor that started at a random node of Twitter network in average
reaches a considerable amount of members within only a few hours. Hence, unless free
speech is somehow regulated for social network users, online bullying will continue
spreading verbal aggression and hostility among online users (100 words)

Grammar tenses
Counter-Argument

On the other hand, opponents may say that the free speech, as the word indicates, used: Pres ent simple
should be totally free and therefore it cannot be censored by the government. However, Past simple
when the free speech generates violence or affects people psychologically, it should be
limited. For that reason, The U.S government announced that “free speech” could not
include violent or threating expressions and is working on a law that attempts to punish
severely those who continue using the social media with that purpose. Thus, despite
“free speech” represents freedom for some users, it might be detrimental for others. (96
words)

Grammar tenses
Conclusion

In conclusion, the term “free speech” is too wide and should be limited in social networks. used: Past simple
The reasons are mainly two; the risk of being cyberbullied and the possible Pres ent simple
psychological negative effects. Therefore, if authorities, specifically in the ICTs
Ministries, established certain rules, social media users could still communicate “freely”
but also responsibly (54 words).

Adapted from a text written by a student in the period 2018-1