SMITH, 2014 TOTS PERSUASIVE ESSAY TOPICS/PROMPTS
Choose one of the statements below. In a formal, persuasive essay, prove the statement.
Over the course of the play, Kate grows to love and respect Petruchio, and by the end of the play she is happy she married him.
or
Over the course of the play, Petruchio tames Kate by breaking her spirit, and so forces her into becoming an obedient wife who serves him but does not love him.
Your essay should have an introduction, 4 body paragraphs, and a conclusion. You should have at least 2 quotes in BP1 and BP2, and at least 1 quote each in BP3 and BP4, but you may need more, but don’t use too many. You will have to decide on how many quotes are just right. Make sure you use important and substantial
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Let’s say BP2 topic is FORCE.
1st quote: Before quote that shows how Petruchio uses FORCE to make Kate change.
2nd quote: After quote that shows how Kate has changed due to Petruchio’s use of FORCE.
STRUCTURE FOR BP1 AND BP2: Make the entire BP1 the BEFORE quotes/examples and the entire BP2 the after quotes/examples. In this case, you use a single topic (MAYBE) for both BP’s
BP1 Before Topic: FORCE.
Use the entire BP1 to show how Petruchio uses FORCE BEFORE Kate changes.
Quotes/examples that show how PETRUCHIO uses FORCE BEFORE Kate changes.
How many quotes? 2-3? At least 2.
BP2 After Topic: FORCE.
Use the entire BP2 to show how Kate changes after Petruchio uses FORCE to change her.
Quotes/examples that show how Kate changes after Petruchio uses FORCE to change her.
How many quotes? 2-3? At least 2.
OVERALL PERSUASIVE ESSAY FORMAT.
NOTE: DEPENDING ON WHAT STRUCTURE YOU DECIDE TO USE REGARDING BP1 AND BP2, YOU MAY HAVE TO ALTER SOME OF THE FORMATING IDEAS BELOW. AGAIN, YOU HAVE TO DECIDE WHAT WORKS BEST AND STILL ACCOMPLISHES THE GOALS OF YOUR ESSAY.
1. Introduction
2. BP 1 proving your 1st pro
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Claim your opinion re: the debate and slant/angle intro towards the side of the dispute you favor.
Intro/allude to the topics/points you will explore in BP 1 & BP 2.
Thesis/position statement that includes the essay topics/points your BP 1 & BP 2 will use.
[THESIS DOES NOT INCLUDE THE BP3 COUNTERPOINT]
MR SMITH’S BAD INTRO EXAMPLE: HOOK. The play The Taming of The Shrew, by William Shakespeare, reveals the tale of Petruchio and Kate and how they meet, court, and marry. With this story as a backdrop the play explores concepts of how one should properly court a potential spouse. Two such concepts, the use of force and humor, are utilized by the character Petruchio. Close analysis reveals that Shakespeare uses Petruchio to show the audience that the use of force and humor are acceptable means by which one can find a mate.
BP1 [NEVER PUT “FIRST” TO START]
Topic sentence that ID’s your topic/point. Topic/point is from your thesis statement
Context sentence(s) to lead to your quote/example
Quote to support your point (use quote transition)
Explain what the quote means, IF NEEDED
Analysis/explanation of the first quote and how it proves your