Persuasive Paragraph Writing

Parts of the Paragraph

100

Restating your opinion, summarizing your reasons, making a suggestion or prediction will often be written as the __________.

a. topic sentence

b. supporting sentences

c. concluding sentence

Restating your opinion, summarizing your reasons, making a suggestion or prediction will often be written as the concluding sentence.

200

The opinion you are trying to convince the reader to have will often be written as the __________.

a. topic sentence

b. supporting sentences

c. concluding sentence

The opinion you are trying to convince the reader to have will often be written as the topic sentence.

300

The reasons you have to support your opinion will often be written as the __________.

a. topic sentence

b. supporting sentences

c. concluding sentence

The reasons you have to support your opinion will often be written as the supporting sentences.

400

The further explanations, evidence, or examples you have to support your reasons will often be written as the __________.

a. topic sentence

b. supporting sentences

c. concluding sentence

The further explanations, evidence, or examples you have to support your reasons will often be written as the supporting sentences.

Weak or Strong Topic & Concluding Sentences

100

These are the reasons why parents should buy their children pets.

a. weak

b. strong

These are the reasons why parents should buy their children pets. - is a WEAK topic or concluding sentence!

200

Parents should buy their children pets for a number of reasons.

a. weak

b. decent

Parents should buy their children pets for a number of reasons. - is a DECENT topic or concluding sentence. 

It has room for improvement.

300

Parents have an incredible opportunity to change their child's life for the better when they buy them a pet.

a. weak

b. strong

Parents have an incredible opportunity to change their child's life for the better when they buy them a pet. - is a STRONG topic or concluding sentence.

400

Parents should buy pets for their children because they are nice.

a. weak

b. strong

Parents should buy pets for their children because they are nice. - is a WEAK sentence.

It already says a specific reason, but reasons should go in supporting sentences.

500

When thinking about a gift for a child, parents should consider a pet.

a. weak

b. strong

When thinking about a gift for a child, parents should consider a pet. - is a STRONG topic or concluding sentence.

Which sentence is off topic?

100

^{(1) Buying a house can be awfully stressful. (2) First and foremost, a person has to save quite a bit of money to save for a house. (3) Houses can cost anywhere from $80,000 to $500,000 and most people don't have that sitting in the bank. (4) M&T Bank is an extremely trustworthy bank. (5) Additionally, two buyers might be interested in the same house for sale. (6) If this happens, a bidding war might be created and cause the price to increase. (7) It's important to keep a level-head when looking to buy a house.}

(4) M&T Bank is an extremely trustworthy bank. - does NOT belong.

200

^{(1) Dino nuggets make for an extremely enjoyable snack. (2) They are perfect for people who think eating is boring. (3) Who doesn't like playing with their food and imagining ketchup is the result of a gruesome dino battle? (4) Furthermore, dino nuggets can be made in minutes. (5) Simply throw them in the microwave and they'll be ready to eat in no time. (6) I always have chocolate milk with my dino nuggets. (7) Ultimately, dino nuggets take the typical chicken nugget to the next level.}

(6) I always have chocolate milk with my dino nuggets. - does NOT belong in this paragraph since it is off topic.

300

^{(1) Teachers should continue to use grades in their classroom. (2) Grades allow parents to see how well their child is understanding specific topics. (3) In fact, students are learning Swahili in Mr. Mulvihill's class. (4) When a child gets a poor grade on an assignment it shows both the teacher and parent that the student may not have had a strong understanding of the material. (5) Grades also demonstrate how well a student is participating and behaving. (6) Without grades it's likely many students would not give too much effort in their work.}

(3) In fact, students are learning Swahili in Mr. Mulvihill's class. - does NOT belong in this paragraph.

Reasons to Support an Opinion

100

^{Choose the reason that does NOT support the opinion.}

^{Opinion: Individuals should consider eating less meat.}

^{a. Millions of animals are killed each year for food, most without spending time in an open field.}

^{b. Meat is a great source of protein, which supports muscle growth.} 

^{c. Many vegetables like beans, broccoli, and collared greens contain nutrients, including protein, that can replace meat.}  

b. Meat is a great source of protein, which supports muscle growth. - does NOT support the opinion that Individuals should consider eating less meat.

200

^{Choose the reason that does NOT support the opinion.}

^{Opinion: Riding a bicycle is a great alternative to driving a car.}

^{a. Cars allow a person to transport their friends and family to various places.}

^{b. Bicycles allow the rider to get to their destination and exercise at the same time.}

^{c. Bicycles are more affordable than a car and you're not stuck with a monthly car insurance bill.}

a. Cars allow a person to transport their friends and family to various places. - does NOT support the opinion: Riding a bicycle is a great alternative to driving a car.

300

^{Choose the reason that supports the opinion.}

^{Opinion: It's important to show appreciate to those in your life.}

^{a. No one ever does anything for me so I never need to say thank you.}

^{b. When a you show appreciation you often make the person you are talking to feel better and you feel better too.}

^{c. It feels better when you bottle up your emotions and hide them from others.}

b. When a you show appreciation you often make the person you are talking to feel better and you feel better too. - DOES support the opinion: It's important to show appreciate to those in your life.

400

^{Choose the reason that supports the opinion.}

^{Opinion: TikTok is hands down the best application in the App Store right now.}

^{a. The Chinese company that owns TikTok has the ability to send personal information to the Chinese government.}

^{b. Children and teens spend hours mindlessly scrolling through often ridiculous videos.}

^{c. TikTok can motivate its viewers to learn new skills.}

c. TikTok can motivate its viewers to learn new skills. - DOES support the opinion: TikTok is hands down the best application in the App Store right now.

 

500

Write a reason to support the opinion: St. Ignatius, like other private schools, should start requiring its students to pay to attend.

Further Explanation to Support a Reason

100

^{Select the further explanation: Individuals should consider eating less meat. People should consume less meat because millions of animals are killed each year for food, most without spending time in an open field.}

^{a. In fact, the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization suggests that there are almost 19 billion chickens that will likely be eaten as food.}

^{b. For example, bacon come from a pig.}

^{c. Many religions don't allow its followers to eat pork.}

a. In fact, the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization suggests that there are almost 19 billion chickens will likely be eaten as food. - further explains the opinion and reason.

200

^{Riding a bicycle is a great alternative to driving a car. Bicycles allow the rider to get to their destination and exercise at the same time.}

^{a. If people in cars are not paying attention, you might get in an accident.}

^{b. It's important to make sure your tires are filled with air.}

^{c. Incredibly, biking at around 12 miles per hour can help burn 298 calories in 30 minutes, according to Harvard University.}

c. Incredibly, biking at around 12 miles per hour can help burn 298 calories in 30 minutes, according to Harvard University. - DOES support the opinion and reason: Riding a bicycle is a great alternative to driving a car. Bicycles allow the rider to get to their destination and exercise at the same time.

500

Give an explanation, evidence, or example to support the opinion and reason: St. Ignatius, like other private schools, should start requiring its students to pay to attend. Requiring an admissions fee would make students take their work more seriously.