For this writing assignment, you will choose whether you think human beings are

naturally good, bad, or influenced to be bad by society. You will then write to
persuade an audience to believe as you do about the chosen topic. The main goal is
to support your position with solid evidence that will leave your audience without a
doubt that you are right. Follow the guidelines below to develop a cohesive,
convincing argument.
1. Determine your audience. This is a critical step. You would use a different
approach if you were trying to convince teenagers than if you were trying to
convince politicians.
2. Determine your purpose. What do you want this audience to do? Do you
want them to rally with you?? Do you want them to change their behavior?
Do you simply want them to change their views on human beings in general?
3. Determine the three strongest pieces of evidence that support your position.
4. Write a solid thesis statement. Remember that the thesis statement is the
one sentence that states the main point of your essay. For example, if you
were to write on why people are naturally evil, you could simply write,
People, regardless of how we may view ourselves, are born with the
natural instinct to do selfish and greedy deeds. This statement is
clear, concise, and straightforward.
5. Start writing your rough draft.
a. Introduction paragraph: (5 sentences)
i. Grabber sentence (interesting statistic, shocking statement,
question, Bible verse, etc.)
ii. Background informationprovide some basic information about
your topic. Here is where you should introduce what the
Enlightenment was (in your own words) and the person you are
basing your paper around (Hobbes, Locke, or Rousseau)
iii. Thesis statement
b. Three body paragraphs (7 sentences each) (Topic, Support, Elaborate,
Support, Elaborate, Closing, Transition)
i. Topic sentence (include the main point of this paragraph)
ii. Provide support/evidence for your pointyou can use your
literary, historical, current event, or personal example to support
your topic sentence. If you use facts, you need to make sure the
information you use is ACURATE! Make sure you tell the reader
where you got the information from so they can be sure the
information is reliable and correct.
iii. Transition into next paragraph
c. Conclusion: (4 sentences)
i. Provide a summary of your main points by restating your thesis
use different words.
ii. Describe what you want your audience to do with this new
information. Think about your purpose.
6. Revise your work.
7. Rewrite it.
Highlight your work:
1. Sentence grabber should be Yellow
2. Thesis statement should be in Green

3. Topic sentences should be in Blue

Element
Organizati
on

2
The essay
is poorly
organized.

4
The essay is
disjointed. The
beginning,
middle, and/or
end are unclear.

6
The essay lacks
a logical flow. It
is somewhat
disjointed.

Focus
-Audience/
Purpose

The essay
is off topic
and lacks
focus.

The essay
includes ideas
or events that
are off topic.

Support/
Evidence
-Argument

The essay
does not
include
any
support or
evidence.

Support/Evidenc
e is weak.

Emotional
Appeal

The essay
does not
appeal to
any
emotions.

The essay has

weak appeal to
emotion.

The essay is
somewhat
focused. There
is an audience
and purpose,
but the essay
veers away
from this
sometimes.
The essay
includes some
support/eviden
ce, but it is not
backed up with
reliable sources
or personal
experience.
The essay
attempts to
appeal to
specific
emotions.

Grammar

There are
several
grammar
errors.

There are many

grammar errors.

There are some

grammar
errors.

8
The essay has a
beginning,
middle, and
end. It has a
somewhat
logical flow.
The essay is
focused on one
audience, and
you have a clear
purpose.

10
Essay flows in a
logical manner. It
has a clear
beginning,
middle, and end.

The essay
includes reliable
support/evidenc
e.

Your argument is
fully supported
with reliable
support/evidence
. Your argument
is convincing.

The essay
appeals to
emotions that
are relevant to
the authors
specific
audience.

The essay
appeals to
emotions that are
relevant to the
authors specific
audience. The
authors
argument is more
convincing
because of this.
There are almost
no grammar
errors.

There are few

grammar errors.

The essay is fully

focused. All
information is
relevant and
adds to your
overall
argument/purpos
e.

4. Evidence/support should be in Pink

5. Transition sentence should be in Orange
6. Restating your thesis should be in Green

Persuasive Essay Rubric

Student Name:_________________________________

TOTAL: ________/50