WRITING A PERSUASIVE/ANALYTICAL ESSAY

WRITING A PERSUASIVE OR ANALYTICAL ESSAY

ANALYTICAL ESSAY – (a) aims to describe an issue, object, event or process, (b) presents an argument,(c) states the solution to a problem, (d) or explains a situation.

PERSUASIVE ESSAY – aims to argue/persuade and is intended to convince readers to accept a particular perspective/point of view.

GENERIC FEATURES of both essays:

STRUCTURE AND ORGANISATION

(1)    INTRODUCTION – (1) provides the context for the topic, (2) states the thesis, (3) previews the main points/arguments to support the thesis.

C	CONTEXTUALISE	PROVIDE some relevant background or context to the question. It could be related material or information that places the question into historical or social context. IF IT IS A LITERARY ESSAY, THIS IS WHERE YOU STATE THE NAME OF THE NOVEL/PLAY/FILM, AUTHOR, CONTEXT OF TEXT…
A	ARGUMENTS	PREVIEW (don’t list) the separate arguments in a very brief manner. Try to connect similar arguments.
T	THESIS	STATE the thesis (1 - 2 sentences) in a manner that links to the arguments you previewed. It should have an analytical/evaluative tone and provide a decision/response to the question you have been asked.

(2) BODY – paragraph which provide the ideas, arguments and evidence to support your THESIS

EACH BODY PARAGRAPH WILL FOLLOW THE PEEL STRUCTURE

P	POINT	A TOPIC SENTENCE that introduces the POINT or CENTRAL IDEA/ARGUMENT to be made in the paragraph. It may connect with the LINKING SENTENCES of the previous paragraph.
E	EXPLANATION	In 1 – 2 sentences (Year 8/9) or 2 - 3 sentences (Year 10 – 12), EXPLAIN in more detail the statement made in the topic sentence. CLARIFY and EXPAND on all parts of the TOPIC SENTENCE.
E	EVIDENCE	Use EXAMPLES, STATISTICS, QUOTATIONS and REFERENCES to primary and/or secondary sources or other EVIDENCE to support and prove your POINT.
L	LINK	LINKING SENTENCES perform 2 roles: to link the material of this paragraph back to the POINT of your paragraph and, in the case of an extended piece of writing (ESSAY), to your THESIS/CENTRAL IDEA/ARGUMENT

(3) CONCLUSION

T	THESIS	RESTATE the THESIS in a slightly different form to that used in the INTRODUCTION.
A	ARGUMENTS	Make clear the separate arguments that were signposted in the essay INTRODUCTION, including the way each POINT is interrelated and/or linked
G	GENERAL STATEMENT	End your essay with a final, summarizing statement (try to avoid quotes).

WRITING YOUR ESSAY – REFER TO THE PREVIOUS PAGE FOR WHAT TO INCLUDE

INTRODUCTION

C	CONTEXTUALISE
A	ARGUMENTS
T	THESIS

(2) BODY

PARAGRAPH 1

P	POINT
E	EXPLANATION
E	EVIDENCE
L	LINK

PARAGRAPH 2

P	POINT
E	EXPLANATION
E	EVIDENCE
L	LINK

PARAGRAPH 3

P	POINT
E	EXPLANATION
E	EVIDENCE
L	LINK

CONCLUSION

T	THESIS
A	ARGUMENTS
G	GENERAL STATEMENT

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