Three body paragraphs of a single, five-paragraph essay
College students are often asked to write essays in which they give reasons to support a change in the status quo or explain an event. For this assignment, choose a topic about which you feel strongly and a difference of opinion is likely. Write a statement expressing your point of view, a thesis statement. Then, present three reasons that support your point of view. Each reason will become the topic sentence of a body paragraph. Each paragraph should expand and support your reasons, use cause and effect to predict the future, and/or anticipate opposing views. These three paragraphs will be persuasive in purpose. Paragraphs should average eight(8) sentences in length.
The thesis statement should be clearly labeled in bold typeface. The topic sentence of each paragraph should be underlined or highlighted. You may choose any topic that is suitable for persuasion.
Evaluation
The three paragraphs will be evaluated as a unified whole on the basis of clarity of thesis statement or point of view. The three reasons that form the topic sentence of each paragraph will support the writer's point of view, will be clear, and will, in turn, be supported by reasons and other developmental patterns practiced in Assignment I. An understanding of and ability to apply the devices and techniques to achieve unity and coherence should be in evidence. Paragraphs will demonstrate edited American English standards of syntax, grammar, and usage.