ESSAY STRUCTURE

NAME: Juan Felipe Castelblanco González CODE: 0000273648 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?

The function of a persuasive essay is trying to convince the lector that the main idea of the essay is true, using arguments and other
strategies in order to defend the thesis of the essay

ACTIVITY 2: Complete the chart:

What is the structure of a persuasive Essay? Main characteristics

1. Hook

Paragraph 1
2. Background
INTRODUCTION
3. Thesis
Statement

1. Topic sentence

Paragraph 2
2. Supporting
ARGUMENT details

3. Closing
sentence

1. Topic sentence
(opposite view)
BODY Paragraph 3
2. Refutation
COUNTER-ARGUMENT
3. Supporting
details

4. Closing
sentence

1. Restatement of
your thesis
Paragraph 4
2. Summary of
CONCLUSION the main
points

3. strong ending
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:
has been defined as the right to express any opinions without censorship or restrain.
Introduction

However, this definition may seem insufficient since online users cannot only share
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:
First, free speech is causing cyber-bulling. The latest empirical studies have
Argument 1

demonstrated a link between the use of social networks and this new form of peer
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:
should be totally free and therefore it cannot be censored by the government.
However, 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
In conclusion, the term “free speech” is too wide and should be limited in social used:
Conclusion

networks. The reasons are mainly two; the risk of being cyberbullied and the possible
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