1. Organizing Your Persuasive Essay

2. Introduction Your first paragraph. Sentence 1: Hook A statement that engages the reader. Sentence 2: Topic overview What we need to know to understand your topic. Sentence 3: Thesis Your position on this topic. Sentence 4, 5, 6: Supporting Details The details that support your position. You find these with research. Sentence 7: Conclusion This sentence repeats your thesis.

3. Introduction Paragraph Do students have the right to express themselves through their clothes? For many years people have been debating the pros and cons of requiring students to wear a uniform. There are many reasons why uniforms should be required in school. Most importantly, uniforms create a safer school. Uniforms also help students resist the peer pressure to buy expensive and trendy clothes. Finally, uniforms improve attendance. These reasons are just a few that support why uniforms should be required in school.

4. Transition Words Words that help your shift your thoughts from one topic to another. Words that bring your thoughts together. Words that help you emphasize your thoughts. Words that provide examples to support your thoughts. Words that show sequence. Words that bring a tone to your paper.

6. Add Information: again besides moreover another for insurance together with and likewise as well furthermore additionally along with also for example equally important further Conclude or Summarize: in short finally in summary in conclusion consequently due to all in all as a result accordingly to sum up thus therefore Contrast two things or show a difference: but otherwise even though conversely even so yet however counter to on the other hand as opposed to in the meantime on the contrary nevertheless still Emphasize a point: again indeed to repeat truly in fact to emphasize for this reason with this in mind

7. Show similarities: in the same manner in the same way also likewise like both as similarly Clarify: that is in other words put another way stated differently to clarify for insurance Show location: above across against along alongside amid in front of near among around away from back of behind below inside off beneath beside between beyond by down into onto on top of throughout outside to the right over under Show time: about after at first second third prior to subsequently until meanwhile today tomorrow before soon later afterward immediately finally during in conclusion next in the meantime as soon as then

8. Moving on to the body of your paragraph. You will use transition words here.

9. Body paragraphs Body paragraph 1- Reason/ 3 pieces of evidence Body paragraph 2- Reason/3 pieces of evidence Body paragraph- 3 Reason/3 pieces of evidence

10. Body Paragraph Formula Sentence #1: Transition word and topic sentence in your own words. Sentence #2: Transition word and first piece of evidence to support topic. Sentence #3: Analysis of first piece of evidence. Explain how it relates to topic sentence. Sentence # 4- Transition word and second piece of evidence. Sentence # 5- Analysis of second piece of evidence. Sentence # 6- Transition word and third piece of evidence. Sentence # 7- Analysis of third piece of evidence. Sentence # 8- Transisition word and concluding sentence in your own words.

11. First paragraph of the body of my essay. Most importantly, uniforms have a positive impact on school safety. For example, schools in Long Beach, CA noted that crime dropped by 91% and school suspensions were lowered by 90% within a year of implementing a uniform policy (Public). With less fear of crime, students can shift their focus to learning. Similarly, these same schools recorded a 69% drop in acts of vandalism (Public). Fewer incidents of vandalism translate to a safer environment. Finally, Lynne Isaacson notes, “Uniforms are said to reduce gang influence, minimize violence by reducing some sources of conflict, and help to identify trespassers” (Isaacson, 2004, para. 4). In short, uniforms create a greater sense of equality, which leads to an increased sense of safety. Uniforms also allow administrators to maintain security by quickly identifying those who do not belong in the school setting. With these facts in mind, it is once again important to note that uniforms make schools safer for all students and staff members.

12. Note The first sentence is your topic. This is in your own words. All three pieces of evidence relate and support your topic sentence. All analysis of your evidence explain your evidence in your own words. Use transition words. Your conclusion sentence is in your own words. There should be at least 8 sentences in each paragraph.

13. Bibliography "Public School Uniform Statistics." - Education Bug. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Jan. 2013. http://www.educationbug.org/a/public-school-uniform-statistics.html http://character-education.info/Articles/Case_for_Uniforms.htm http://www.schoolsecurity.org/resources/uniforms.html

14. Conclusion Restate thesis Summarize evidence End with something memorable!