Persuasive Essay

Professor Stone’s Essay 3 Formal Outline and Essay Map

Example for Students- ENC 1101 Fall 2020

Formal Outline

I. Introduction

II. Body Paragraphs

A. Are people’s personal possessions a clear indicator of:

who they are, how they think, how they act, and what they value?

1. who they are

2. how they think

3. how they act

4. what they value

B. Can an individual’s personal possessions help others measure how happy or content he

or she is? Yes or no. Why? Explain to my reader my beliefs

1. Example

2. Example

3. Example

C. Based on the research provided, why would someone argue that “the pursuit of

happiness” is futile? Do you agree? Why or why not? (Use the Gertner)

1. Example generic from myself / observation

2. Example from Gertner

3. Example Gertner

D. What do you want for Christmas? What do you think this says about you? What does

this say about you according to Belk’s research?

1. My Christmas list

a. I want the Dream Box

b. I want a Hogwarts Lego Castle

2. What I think this list says about my identity

a. I want the Dream Box

b. I want a Hogwarts Lego Castle

3. What Belk would think about my identity because of my list

a. I want the Dream Box

b. I want a Hogwarts Lego Castle

III. Conclusion

Essay Map

1

3

2

I. Introduction consists of: A. The Attention Grabber/ Opening- 1 sentence /give a general statement on the topic B. The Background Information -3-4 sentences/ tells us everything we need to know about topic C. Transitional Sentence- 1 sentence / how we get to making a point about the topic D. The Thesis Statement- 1- 2 sentences/ states the main idea, point, argument, or conclusion

A. Are people’s personal possessions a clear indicator of: who they are, how they think, how they act, and what they value? 1. who they are 2. how they think 3. how they act 4. what they value 3 sentences of analysis Transitional sentence

3. Example Gertner D. What do you want for Christmas? What do you think this says about you? What does this say about you according to Belk’s research? 1. My Christmas list a. I want the Dream Box b. I want a Hogwarts Lego Castle 2. What I think this list says about my identity a. I want the Dream Box b. I want a Hogwarts Lego Castle 3. What Belk would think about my identity because of my list a. I want the Dream Box b. I want a Hogwarts Lego Castle 3 sentences of analysis Transitional sentence

B. Can an individual’s personal possessions help others measure how happy or content he or she is? Yes or no. Why? Explain to my reader my beliefs 1. Example 2. Example 3. Example 3 sentences of analysis Transitional sentence

C. Based on the research provided, why would someone argue that “the pursuit of happiness” is futile? Do you agree? Why or why not? (Use the Gertner) 1. Example generic from myself / observation 2. Example from Gertner 3. Example Gertner 3 sentences of analysis Transitional sentence

V. Conclusion consists of: A. Summary of the main points- 1-2 sentences of

summary (the lesson) for each body paragraph or A. Restatement of the Thesis with enlightenment- 1- 2 sentences why is your thesis the truth/ fact B. Closing Statements of advice or caution-2-3 sentences/ other thoughts about the topic

C. Prediction or statement about Topic’s connection

to present day-2-3 sentences

Don’t forget to add your

Works Cited or

References page and to

include your formal

outline as the very last

page of your final draft of

Essay 3.