How to write a persuasive essay using R&J as a model — "Who's most responsible for the deaths of the star-crossed lovers?"

1. Persuasive Essay Model How to build your perfect Persuasive Essay using a handy-dandy Graphic Organizer!

2. Persuasive Essay Model In this Persuasive Essay you will answer this question: Who is most responsible for the chain of events that lead to the deaths of Romeo & Juliet?

3. Persuasive Essay Graphic Organizer

4. Step 1 Paragraph 1 Introduction

5. Paragraph #1 – Introduction Paragraph #1 is called the Introduction. In a Persuasive Essay, the Introduction consists of the following three elements: Attention-grabbing first sentence Description of issue Opinion Statement

6. Paragraph #1 – Introduction Attention-grabbing first sentence — Most of the events that happen in William Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet lead up to the final conclusion of the couple dying. Description of issue — Many, if not all, of the major characters play an ultimate role in the tragic deaths of the “star-crossed lovers”. Opinion Statement — The character that causes the most dramatic effect upon Romeo and Juliet's deathisFriar Laurence. He’s the one character who played a role in every aspect of the tragedy, from the marriage to the plan to rescue Romeo from banishment to the plan to rescue Juliet from marriage to Paris.

7. Step 2 Paragraphs 2 – 4 Body Paragraphs

8. Paragraphs #2-4Reasons/Support Paragraphs 2-4 are the Body Paragraphs. In a Persuasive Essay, the Body Paragraph consists of the following three elements: Reasons (the grounds for your opinion) Text Support(citations from the text) Commentary(your interpretation of the text as it applies to your persuasive argument)

9. Paragraphs #2-4Reasons/Support Reason — Friar Laurence is the one who agreed to marry Romeo and Juliet, thinking it would lead to peace between the feuding families: Text Support — In Act 2, Scene 3 he says to Romeo“…come, young waverer, come, go with me, In one respect I’ll thy assistant be, for this alliance may so happy prove to turn your households' rancor to pure love.” Also, Friar Laurence had just scolded Romeo by saying “Holy Saint Francis, what a change is here! Is Rosaline, whom thou didst love so dear, so soon forsaken? Young men’s love then lies not truly in their hearts, but in their eyes.” Commentary — He knew Romeo was too immature for marriage, but he agreed to marry them anyway.

10. Step 3 Paragraph 5 Conclusion

11. Paragraph #5Conclusion Paragraph #5 is the Conclusion. In a Persuasive Essay, the Conclusion consists of the following three elements: Restatement of Your Opinion Summary of Your Reasons Closing Statement

12. Paragraph #5Conclusion Restate Your Opinion — Friar Laurence is the one character who played a role in every aspect of the tragedy. Summarize Your Reasons — He married Romeo & Juliet in the church without their parents’ consent or knowledge. He devised the ill-fated plan to send Romeo to Mantua with no “Plan B” in case the plan went wrong. He devised the ill-fated for Juliet to fake her death with the sleeping potion with no “Plan B” in case the plan went wrong. Closing Statement — Friar Laurence only wanted peace between the families — and what would bring most happiness to Romeo and Juliet. But in this case, the road to ruin was paved with his good intentions.

13. Here’s how your completed Graphic Organizer should look… (Of course yours may be hand-written, not typed.)

16. On completing this process, your basic draft outline is complete! Transfer what you’ve written to notebook paper, adding transitions and taking care to write in complete sentences, complete paragraphs.