Writing persuasive essay paragraphs T.E.E.L.

Structure of a paragraph T – Topic sentence E – Explanation E – Evidence L – Linking sentence

T – Topic sentence What is the main point for your paragraph? This sentence should represent your main idea. It’s like an introduction to your paragraph. It should be 1 sentence long.

Topic sentences When read on their own, topic sentences of each paragraph should be able to give the reader a clear idea of what your essay is about. Example: ‘Middle school students absolutely should not have to do homework because they already do enough work at school.’

E - Explanation Why is your point important? You have raised an idea and provided evidence to support it, but now you need to explain in more detail. Don’t simply state an idea and move on! Spend time on explaining the idea so that it will not easily be dismissed.

Explanation Your explanation sentence/s should be 1 or 2 sentences long. Example: At school, students spend six hours a day stuck at their desks completing work for different subjects. Surely students can not be expected to go home and do more work each night?

E - Evidence What is your evidence? Without evidence, you are relying on your own opinion. Evidence could include a quote from the text (or movie) or an example which provides evidence to support your statement in your topic sentence.

Evidence Evidence may also be observations of something that you experienced (saw, heard, felt) within the text or movie. Your evidence sentences in each paragraph should be 1 to 2 sentences long.

Evidence Providing evidence in essays is critically import as it backs up what you are trying to say by adding support to your main points. Example: During a normal week, Year 6 students are expected to do spelling, IXL, reading and times tables after school each day. This understandably results in students being tired and their brains being worn out from all of the work done that day.

Evidence sentence starters An example of this is when…… ………………….. occurs when………….. ………… is a good example of this because………. One of the most important instances of this is when………..

Linking sentence How does this paragraph relate to the essay topic? This sentence is a summary of what you have been writing about within your paragraph. It is a response to your topic sentence.

Linking sentence Your linking sentence may also link one paragraph to the next. It is only 1 sentence long. Example: Students do enough work at school and they also have afterschool commitments, both of which support the fact that students should not have to do homework.

Using a counter argument persuasively In persuasive writing, you can use a counter argument to further strengthen your stance/opinion. To do this, consider one of the main reasons that the opposing argument would use. E.g. Some people would say that students definitely should have homework because they learn more as they are doing more work. Then, use your position to argue against this idea and explain why it is incorrect. E.g. However, homework tasks never include any new learning as this happens at school with a teacher. Homework tasks are always practice activities that do not teach students anything new. (Then go into evidence of this as usual).

Other rules of paragraphing to consider……. A paragraph should be 4 – 6 sentences long. It should explain ONE main idea. A new paragraph needs to be indented on the next line or even skip a line to begin with a new idea.

Essay topic: Choose 1 of the following to write a persuasive essay detailing your opinion on the matter. Children under 13 should/should not be allowed to use any form of social media.   OR Middle school aged students should/should not have to do homework.