The Seven-Sentence Argumentative/Persuasive Paragraph

Sentence 1: State your opinion as specifically as possible. We should know clearly where you stand.

Sentence 2: Present an argument in favor of the position stated in sentence 1. Use one of your strongest defenses in this sentence.

Sentence 3: Give specific evidence, facts, statistics, or examples to support the argument that you present in sentence 2.  Sentence 3 should make it clear that you know what you are talking about; it establishes your credibility.

Sentence 4: Reveal that you have considered and respect your opponents’ viewpoint and deflate or reduce the impact of opposing arguments by dealing with them before the opposition presents them.

Sentence 5: Introduce an argument against your position and then respond to it. In the first clause of a compound sentence joined by the word ‘however,’ make a concession to the opposing position or present a possible objection to or argument against your position; in the second clause, offer a response or rebuttal.

Sentence 6: Present a strong (the strongest?) argument for your position, ideally one against which the opposition could not possibly raise objections.

Sentence 7: Refine, reaffirm and/or urge the acceptance of your position or plan. If there is a particular response beyond simple agreement that you want from your audience, here make part of this a call for specific action.

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